A bill that would create a felony DUI penalty in Colorado cleared it’s first legislative hurdle on March 18.
House Bill 1036 would let prosecutors charge a driver’s third DUI in seven years or any fourth DUI as a felony.
Right now, drivers only face misdemeanor penalties when driving drunk, no matter how many times they are charged. Colorado is one of only six states that don’t have a felony DUI on the books.
The bill – which is sponsored by Republican Reps. Mark Waller of Colorado Springs and Lori Saine of Firestone – passed the House Judiciary Committee with unanimous support.
A similar effort failed last year.
