DENVER (KDVR) — There has been a huge spike in the number of people in Colorado who refuse to take toxicology tests after being arrested for driving while impaired.
Now, a new campaign has been launched to make sure people know about the consequences of driving impaired and refusing to take the test.
New stats now show that more than half of the people arrested for driving under the influence in 2022 refused to take toxicology tests.
It’s all because the Colorado Expressed Consent Law said Colorado Department of Transportation Traffic Safety Manager Sam Cole.
“Unfortunately, a lot of people do not know that if they are arrested for DUI, they have to take a toxicology test, that’s either a blood test or a urine test,” Cole said.
CDOT said drivers who refuse to take a toxicology test after being arrested can, among other things, have their license revoked and be forced to use an ignition interlock device.
Because of the rising number of toxicology test refusals, CDOT has launched a new campaign to make sure people know the law.
Christopher Decker is a defense attorney and FOX31 Legal Analyst.
“In most circumstances, it is a worse outcome for a driver to refuse this test and suffer more consequential punishment from the Department of Motor Vehicles than it would be to consent,” Decker said.
CDOT said a survey showed most drivers who refused the toxicology test did not understand the consequences or were advised to refuse the test by a friend or family member to avoid self-incrimination.
MADD said additional testing can help provide vital information to help keep roadways safe.
“It also allows us to shift how we communicate about impaired driving. Then we can go in and look at what language we are using in our preventative efforts,” MADD Colorado State Executive Director Rebecca Green said.
CDOT said that in the first four months of 2025, there were 49 impaired driving-related traffic deaths in the state.
Organizers of the campaign hope their messaging helps reduce the number of people being hurt and killed in impaired driving crashes.
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