As Labor Day weekend approaches, Colorado law enforcers are sharpening their focus on the roads. The Colorado State Patrol is ramping up vigilance in anticipation of increased festivities and the associated spike in driving under the influence incidents. A sobering reminder from last year's statistics shows that 32 individuals were arrested during the Labor Day holiday for impaired driving, as reported by the Colorado State Patrol.
The financial repercussions of a DUI in Colorado are substantial, with an average cost of $13,530 for a first-time offense. Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol, outlined the stakes, “You can quickly turn a weekend of relaxation into many months of stress by making the choice to drive impaired,” as per the Colorado State Patrol. Even in the absence of an accident, the consequences inflicted upon offenders can be both timely and costly.
In Colorado, past DUI/DWI convictions, including those from other states or U.S. territories, contribute to an offender’s record. This detail matters in particular for those who mistakenly view the state lines as a reset button on their driving offenses. Moreover, causing injury or death while driving under the influence qualifies for an automatic felony charge, regardless of one's criminal history.
"A DUI conviction comes with serious consequences because we know the extreme risks one person is taking with other non-consenting roadway users," Col. Packard said, as obtained by the Colorado State Patrol. Lifetime accountability is a hallmark of Colorado's judicial approach to DUIs; a previous conviction, no matter its age, will carry weight during sentencing for new offenses. The clear message is that a DUI is forever a part of one’s legal shadow in the State of Colorado, a shadow that can lengthen, at the turn of each poor decision on the road.
