6/7/04-Gov. Bill Owens signed a bill into law May 21 lowering the state’s drunken-driving threshold from 0.10 percent to 0.08 percent. It will take effect Aug. 1.
Included in the new law are provisions permitting liquor stores to hand out drink samples and restaurant customers to take home partially consumed bottles of wine.
Passage of HB1021 brings the state into compliance with a federal decree that states adopt the lower limit or lose federal highway dollars.
Holdouts had until last year to pass the lower limit, after which they began losing road money. Colorado will get the money the federal government withheld as soon as the new law takes effect. But the money will not earn interest.
Colorado’s previous refusal to adhere to the standard cost the state $4.9 million in highway dollars when lawmakers ignored the Oct. 1, 2003, deadline.

5/7/04-Lawmakers agreed to lower the state’s blood-alcohol limit for drunken driving on the final day of the legislative session.
The bill, approved as both houses wrapped up their business May 5, would lower the drunken-driving threshold from 0.10 percent to 0.08 percent. It now heads to Gov. Bill Owens, who is expected to sign it.
Included in the bill are provisions permitting liquor stores to hand out drink samples and restaurant customers to take home partially consumed bottles of wine.
Passage of HB1021 would bring the state in compliance with a federal decree that states adopt the lower limit or lose federal highway dollars. Colorado is one of only three states (Delaware and Minnesota being the others) yet to conform to the federal mandate.
Colorado’s previous refusal to adhere to the standard cost the state $4.9 million in highway dollars when lawmakers ignored the Oct. 1, 2003, deadline. The state could lose $50 million if it doesn’t lower the threshold by 2007.
States that adopt the new limit by Oct. 1, 2006, can recover the withheld funds.
For bill status, call (303) 866-3055. In Colorado, call 1-800-811-7647.

5/4/04-The Senate passed a proposal May 4 to lower the state’s blood-alcohol limit from 0.10 percent to 0.08 percent.
Included in the bill are provisions permitting liquor stores to hand out drink samples and restaurant customers to tote home partially consumed bottles of wine.
The bill now goes back to the House for final approval before heading to Gov. Bill Owens, who is expected to sign it. The law would go into effect July 1.
Passage of HB1021, sponsored by Bob Briggs, R-Westminster, would bring the state in compliance with a federal decree that states adopt the lower limit or lose federal highway dollars.
Colorado’s previous refusal to adhere to the standard cost the state $4.9 million in highway dollars when lawmakers ignored the Oct. 1, 2003, deadline, the newspaper reported. The state could lose $50 million if it doesn’t lower the threshold by 2007.
States that adopt the new limit by Oct. 1, 2006, can recover the withheld funds.
For bill status, call (303) 866-3055. In Colorado, call 1-800-811-7647.

4/26/04-The Senate Appropriations Committee on April 23 passed a proposal to lower the state’s blood-alcohol limit from 0.10 percent to 0.08 percent.
Included in the bill are provisions permitting liquor stores to hand out drink samples and restaurant customers to tote home partially consumed bottles of wine.
Passage of HB1021, sponsored by Bob Briggs, R-Westminster, would bring the state in compliance with a federal decree that states adopt the lower limit or lose federal highway dollars.
Colorado’s previous refusal to adhere to the standard cost the state $4.9 million in highway dollars when lawmakers ignored the Oct. 1, 2003, deadline. The state could lose $50 million if it doesn’t lower the threshold by 2007.
States that adopt the new limit by Oct. 1, 2006, can recover the withheld funds.
The bill, which previously passed the House, has been forward to the full Senate.
For bill status, call (303) 866-3055. In Colorado, call 1-800-811-7647.

4/23/04-The Senate Business, Labor and Finance Committee on April 21 passed a proposal to lower the state’s blood-alcohol limit from 0.10 percent to 0.08 percent.
The bill has been forward to the Appropriations Committee. It previously passed the House.
Included in the bill are provisions permitting liquor stores to hand out drink samples and restaurant customers to tote home partially consumed bottles of wine.
Passage of HB1021, sponsored by Bob Briggs, R-Westminster, would bring the state in compliance with a federal decree that states adopt the lower limit or lose federal highway dollars.
Colorado’s previous refusal to adhere to the standard cost the state $4.9 million in highway dollars when lawmakers ignored the Oct. 1, 2003, deadline. The state could lose $50 million if it doesn’t lower the threshold by 2007.
States that adopt the new limit by Oct. 1, 2006, can recover the withheld funds.
For bill status, call (303) 866-3055. In Colorado, call 1-800-811-7647.

4/19/04-The House approved legislation April 7 to lower the state’s blood-alcohol limit from 0.10 percent to 0.08 percent. The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration.
Passage of HB1021, sponsored by Bob Briggs, R-Westminster, would bring the state in compliance with a federal decree that states adopt the lower limit or lose federal highway dollars.
Colorado’s previous refusal to adhere to the standard cost the state $4.9 million in highway dollars when lawmakers ignored the Oct. 1, 2003, deadline. The state could lose $50 million if it doesn’t lower the threshold by 2007.
States that adopt the new limit by Oct. 1, 2006, can recover the withheld funds.
For bill status, call (303) 866-3055. In Colorado, call 1-800-811-7647.

1/28/04-A House panel approved a bill that puts the state one step closer to a lower drunken driving threshold.
The House Transportation and Energy Committee approved legislation Jan. 21 to lower the state’s blood-alcohol limit from 0.10 percent to 0.08 percent. The bill now heads to the House Appropriations Committee.
Passage of HB1021, sponsored by Bob Briggs, R-Westminster, would bring the state in compliance with a federal decree that states adopt the lower limit or lose federal highway dollars.
Colorado’s previous refusal to adhere to the standard cost the state $4.9 million in highway dollars when lawmakers ignored the Oct. 1 deadline. Next year, the loss will be $9.9 million, with the penalty growing to nearly $20 million in the 2007 budget year.
States that adopt the new limit by Oct. 1, 2006, can recover the withheld funds.
For bill status, call (303) 866-3055. In Colorado, call 1-800-811-7647.