HB 1242: Interlock Device for Impaired Drivers - Colorado

Final Act → Signed Act · 4 edits · May 29, 2026

MODERATE

This bill updates the legal text for Colorado's interlock-restricted license requirements, primarily correcting formatting errors, fixing typos, and standardizing capitalization in the statute. It also adds a new subsection detailing financial assistance benefits for eligible first-time offenders and persistent drunk drivers, including free installation and removal of ignition interlock devices. The bill includes a new appropriation of $15,225 for the fiscal year 2026-27 to fund these administrative and support services.

Scope change

The bill's substantive scope regarding who must hold an interlock license and the duration of the requirement remains unchanged; however, it expands the scope of available financial assistance programs by explicitly codifying benefits like free installation and removal.

FISCAL

Added a new appropriation of $15,225 for the 2026-27 fiscal year to fund DRIVES maintenance, personal services, and OIT payments.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new subsection (a.5) establishing specific financial assistance benefits, including free standard installation and removal of ignition interlock devices for eligible first-time offenders and persistent drunk drivers.

TECHNICAL

Corrected numerous typos, spacing errors, and inconsistent capitalization throughout the statute text to ensure legal clarity and consistency.

Removed internal legislative notes regarding signatures and status, replacing them with the official bill header and sponsor information.

Rerevised → Final Act · 7 edits · May 19, 2026

MODERATE

This bill updates Colorado's laws regarding ignition interlock requirements for impaired drivers and introduces a new financial assistance program to help low-income individuals afford these devices. The changes eliminate the waiting period to apply for an interlock-restricted license after a first-time DUI conviction and establish specific criteria for financial aid, including income limits and proof of public assistance. Additionally, the bill mandates that certified manufacturers provide free installation and removal services, along with a lease discount, to eligible participants.

Scope change

The bill expands eligibility for early reinstatement with an interlock-restricted license by removing the waiting period for first-time offenders and creates a new, funded assistance program for those unable to pay for the device.

ELIGIBILITY

Eliminates the waiting period to apply for an interlock-restricted license following a first-time DUI or excess BAC conviction.

Defines eligibility for financial assistance based on enrollment in public assistance programs, income at or below 150% of the federal poverty level, or a determination of financial impracticality.

FISCAL

Establishes a new financial assistance program funded by the first-time drunk driving offender account to help eligible individuals pay for interlock devices.

Appropriates $15,225 for the 2026-27 fiscal year to fund the assistance program and related administrative costs.

REQUIREMENT

Requires certified ignition interlock manufacturers to provide free installation and removal, and up to a 50% discount on monthly lease rates for eligible participants.

Mandates that manufacturers provide written notices about the assistance program at the time of scheduling installation and signing the lease agreement.

Clarifies that individuals receiving financial assistance forfeit their affordability status and must pay full costs if they fail to remain compliant with program requirements.

Revised → Rerevised · 4 edits · Apr 30, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was re-revised to include additional Senate sponsors, indicating a broader coalition of support. The document header was updated to reflect that this version includes all amendments adopted in the Second House, and a specific Senate reading date was added. Substantive policy content regarding eligibility criteria appears to have been removed or replaced in this section, though the full context of the new text is not provided in the snippet.

Scope change

The bill's scope of sponsorship expanded by adding six new Senate sponsors, while the specific eligibility text in the provided snippet was altered (likely replaced by new criteria not fully shown).

REQUIREMENT

Six new Senate sponsors (Ball, Benavidez, Cutter, Kipp, Lindstedt, Marchman) were added to the bill's sponsorship list.

TECHNICAL

The document title was updated from 'REVISED' to 'REREVISED' and the explanatory text was adjusted to clarify that amendments were adopted in the Second House.

TIMELINE

A specific Senate reading date of April 30, 2026, was added to the document header.

ELIGIBILITY

Specific text defining income thresholds and federal poverty level eligibility criteria was removed from the provided section.

Reengrossed → Revised · 4 edits · Apr 29, 2026

MODERATE

The bill text was updated from 'Reengrosed' to 'Revised' to reflect amendments adopted on second reading in the second house. The bill's substantive scope, eligibility criteria, and requirements remain unchanged, with the only modifications being the addition of a new Senate sponsor and the reassignment of the bill to a new Senate committee.

Scope change

No substantive change to the bill's scope or applicability; only procedural updates regarding committee assignments and sponsorship.

TECHNICAL

Header updated from 'Reengrosed' to 'Revised' to indicate the bill has passed second reading in the second house.

Carson was added as a co-sponsor in the Senate.

The Senate committee assignment was changed from 'Appropriations' to 'Transportation & Energy'.

The section containing detailed eligibility criteria for financial assistance and interlock device requirements was removed from the provided text snippet.

Engrossed → Reengrossed · 3 edits · Mar 25, 2026

MINOR

The bill was reengrossed to add additional sponsors and update the summary to reflect that it is now in its third reading unamended. A significant substantive change was made to the program benefits: the provision allowing a 50% fee reduction for high-end or electric vehicles was removed, meaning the free installation and removal benefits now apply uniformly without vehicle type exceptions.

Scope change

The bill's scope regarding vehicle eligibility for ignition interlock program benefits was narrowed by removing a specific exception for high-end and electric vehicles.

SCOPE

Added multiple sponsors to the House sponsorship list, expanding the coalition of legislators supporting the bill.

TIMELINE

Updated the bill summary header to indicate the bill is now in its '3rd Reading Unamended' status with a new date of March 25, 2026.

ELIGIBILITY

Removed a clause that provided a 50% discount on installation fees for high-end or electric vehicles, standardizing the benefit to a full free installation for all eligible participants regardless of vehicle type.

Introduced → Engrossed · 4 edits · Mar 24, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was amended to clarify that first-time offenders convicted of DUI or excess BAC must hold an interlock-restricted license for nine months after their license is reinstated, rather than waiting until a specific removal process is completed. The text was also reorganized to remove a confusing waiting period requirement and streamline the language regarding early reinstatement eligibility.

Scope change

The bill's scope regarding the timing of interlock requirements for first-time offenders was clarified to ensure the nine-month requirement applies immediately upon license reinstatement.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the requirement for first-time offenders to hold an interlock-restricted license for nine consecutive months following license reinstatement, removing the previous condition that required completing a specific removal process first.

Added a new subsection (1)(c) to explicitly state that a person whose driving privilege was revoked for a first-time DUI or excess BAC conviction must maintain an interlock-restricted license for nine months after reinstatement.

Removed the previous text requiring offenders to complete an interlock removal process before becoming eligible for a license without restrictions, replacing it with the clearer nine-month post-reinstatement rule.

TECHNICAL

Reorganized the bill structure by changing the bill title to include an appropriation and updating section numbering and formatting to reflect the House amendments.

Interlock Device for Impaired Drivers

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