Panel backs 'super speeder' penalties and mandatory court appearances for repeat high-speed and illegal-passing offenses

Representative Clifford introduced Senate Bill 35 as a targeted road‑safety measure aimed at the most dangerous drivers: those who repeatedly speed excessively or illegally pass in no‑passing zones. Clifford described the bill as a "super speeder" approach that escalates penalties and requires court appearances for repeat high‑risk violations.

Key provisions described in the hearing include increasing point penalties for illegal passing (statutorily described in the bill as more commensurate with head‑on collision risk), escalating license points for second, third and subsequent speeding offenses, mandatory court appearances for repeat offenders rather than simply mailing a fine, and a direction for the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) to prioritize signage in high‑crash locations identified by data.

Witnesses and supporters testified widely in favor. Claire Levy, a Boulder County commissioner, and the Northwest Mayors and Commissioners Coalition said the bill aligns with Vision Zero road‑safety goals and urged support. Grand County Sheriff Brett Shrottland described recent fatal crashes in rural mountain corridors and said current fines do not deter illegal passing; "We had a family of 5 killed on Highway 9 south of Kremmling," he said, urging the committee to back the bill. Austin Wingate, a county EMS chief, and survivor‑advocates including Jocelyn Reimer (MADD) and Jacqueline Claudia (The White Line) described the human and system costs of fatal crashes and supported mandatory court involvement for repeat offenders.

Skyler McKinley of AAA and Captain Brandon Natlitsch of the Colorado State Patrol presented data and research: McKinley argued that mandatory court appearances and escalating consequences deter repeated dangerous behavior; Natlitsch cited statewide enforcement data and supported the bill and an amendment raising certain fines for hazmat CMV routing violations. Clifford and others pointed to similar policies in other states and to crash‑data showing speed and improper passing as major contributors to fatal collisions.

Representative Clifford offered and the committee adopted amendment L005 to clarify the standard for a "reasonable and prudent" speed by adding that the super‑speeder threshold is 15 miles per hour or more above that standard (i.e., to focus on egregious speeding). Clifford also referenced a fiscal note that authorizes $14,234 from an existing cash fund for programmatic changes; he said the money is spending authority, not a new appropriation. After final discussion, the committee voted to send SB35 as amended to the Appropriations Committee with a favorable recommendation; the recorded vote was 9–4.

Next steps: SB35 as amended goes to the Appropriations Committee for fiscal review.