Sen. Hansen Honored for Efforts to Prevent Impaired Driving and Keep Coloradans Safe

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Colorado recognizes Hansen’s work to reduce drunk and drugged driving across the state

DENVER, CO – Senator Chris Hansen (D-Denver) this week received the 2021 Community Champion Award from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Colorado for his work to prevent drunk driving and support victims across the state.

“Drunk driving is the number one cause of death on our roadways, and we need to do more to keep drunk drivers off the road and protect Coloradans from harm,” said Senator Chris Hansen (D-Denver). “No Colorado family should have to bury a loved one due to a drunk driver, and I’m proud to be recognized for my work to cut down on impaired driving and ensure that victims have all the support they need, especially as a father of two young boys. I am going to keep fighting to prevent drunk and drugged driving so we can keep all Coloradans safe when they take the wheel.”

Senator Hansen was nominated by MADD for leading the effort in the legislature during the 2021 session to secure funding in the FY21-22 state budget to cover the high visibility of DUI enforcement, which was included in HB21-1317 and signed into law this June. The law transfers $2 million from the Marijuana Tax Cash Fund to the First Time Drunk Driving Offender Account in the Highway Users Tax Fund to support the enforcement of driving under the influence of drugs.

According to MADD Colorado, there are over 300,000 incidents of drinking and driving per day and roughly 290,000 impaired driving-related injuries per year. Moreover, there are over 10,000 deaths each year related to impaired driving, which is equivalent to 28 deaths every day and one death every 51 minutes.

The mission of MADD is to end drunk driving, help fight drugged driving, support the victims of these violent crimes, and prevent underage drinking.