Keeping drunk drivers off of our streets is a pressing priority for the state of Colorado. Drunk drivers account for literally hundreds of deaths in Colorado each year.

Senator Dave Schultheis, R-Colorado Springs, sponsored legislation this year to finally toughen the penalty for repeatedly getting behind the wheel when drunk. House Bill 1226 would have made it a class 6 felony to drive drunk, if the driver lacks a valid license or insurance policy. This was an attempt to get repeated offenders off the streets.

Unfortunately, this bill was killed on a strict party-line vote in the house.

Read the bill here.