Senate committee advances bill to expand ignition-interlock use, lower cost for low-income drivers

Senator Roberts urged the Energy Committee to endorse House Bill 12-42, saying the measure would close gaps in Colorado law that keep ignition interlock devices off the road and allow drivers who otherwise would drive illegally during a suspension to instead drive with monitoring technology.

"This bill is about increasing the use of interlock devices in the state of Colorado," Senator Roberts said in opening remarks, arguing the devices are a proven countermeasure to repeat DUI offenses. She summarized three main changes: remove the two-month waiting period after express-consent refusals; require completion of an interlock term before returning to an unrestricted license for certain first-time offenders under 0.15 BAC (with early removal for good performance); and expand financial assistance to raise income eligibility and require manufacturer discounts that include free or discounted installation and removal.

The bill drew testimony from victims' advocates, safety groups and the Department of Revenue. Jacqueline Claudia, executive director of The White Line, said interlocks change the enforcement picture by making sobriety a condition of driving and noted federal and public-health statistics: "The CDC has documented that the average drunk driver drives impaired 80 times before their first arrest," she said. Fran Lanzer, speaking for Mothers Against Drunk Driving Colorado, told the committee that interlocks are rated highly by safety authorities and that Colorado interlocks blocked more than 26,000 driving attempts last year.

Renee Lund, a mother who lost her 19-year-old son in a crash, gave emotional testimony in support of the bill. "Nothing will bring my son back," Lund said, "but I want to prevent this from happening to anybody else. Please, when you vote for House Bill 12-42, remember that behind these policies are real families." The committee acknowledged the testimony and Senator Roberts thanked Lund in her closing remarks.

Technical and cost details were provided by witnesses and the Department of Revenue. Crystal Soderman of the Department of Revenue said the cash fund that supports the current assistance program has seen about a 30% revenue decline and that the bill shifts much of the financial assistance responsibility to a manufacturer-discount model (free standard installation and removal and a 50% reduction in monthly lease payments for qualifying drivers). Fran Lanzer estimated typical costs: roughly $100 for installation on a standard gasoline vehicle (up to $250 for certain vehicles), about $90 for removal, and monthly lease costs of $75–$90. Under testimony, expanding eligibility to 150% of the federal poverty level would increase the number of drivers eligible for assistance and reduce the out-of-pocket burden.

Committee members asked how the bill would interact with other measures drawing on the same fund and whether device vendors gain financially from expanded use; witnesses said four manufacturers operate under state contracts and provide broad service coverage (service required within 100 miles), and that while the vendors are businesses, the bill aims to make devices functionally affordable to low-income drivers.

Senator Ball moved the bill to the Appropriations Committee with a favorable recommendation. The committee recorded a roll-call vote; the motion passed 8–1.

What’s next: HB 12-42 will go to the Appropriations Committee. If amended or funded there, the practical details of the financial assistance model and the interaction with other cash-fund bills will be addressed in subsequent committee hearings.