Colorado SB25-281: Cracking Down on Careless Driving Causing Bodily Injury

Colorado lawmakers are making moves to hold careless drivers more accountable—especially when their actions cause serious harm. Senate Bill 25-281 (SB25-281) focuses on careless driving resulting in bodily injury, tightening the legal response to these incidents and aiming to improve road safety across the state. There will be Senate Judiciary Committee meeting on April 16 at 1:30 at the Capitol.

Here’s what you need to know about this proposed legislation and how it could impact drivers, victims, and the justice system in Colorado.

What Is Careless Driving Under Colorado Law?

Before diving into the bill, let’s clarify what careless driving means.

Under C.R.S. 42-4-1402, careless driving is defined as:

Operating a motor vehicle without due regard for the width, grade, curves, corners, traffic, and use of the streets, or other conditions.

It’s a less severe offense than reckless driving, but it is still a serious issue—especially when someone is hurt as a result.

What Does SB25-281 Propose?

SB25-281 is designed to increase the legal consequences for individuals convicted of careless driving that causes bodily injury to another person. Currently, this is considered a class 1 traffic misdemeanor, which can result in:

Up to 1 year in jail
A fine up to $1,000
Points on your license

However, many believe the current penalties don’t reflect the real harm caused when someone is injured due to negligent behavior behind the wheel.

Key Updates in SB25-281:

As of now, the bill proposes to:

Reclassify careless driving causing bodily injury from a basic traffic misdemeanor to a class 1 misdemeanor offense with more substantial consequences.
Increases Careless Driving Resulting in Death from a class 1 misdemeanor to a class 6 felony. Individuals convicted of a Class 6 felony may be subject to incarceration ranging from one year to 18 months in prison, with potential fines spanning from $1,000 to $100,000. Also, if more than 1 person is killed, each person would be a separate offense.
Allow victims of crashes greater access to justice, particularly when the injury is severe.
Requires officers to administer a chemical test to drivers when there is probable cause that the driver was driving carelessly and it was the proximate cause of death.
Encourage accountability, especially in cases where drivers are distracted or fail to yield

Why This Matters

Supporters of SB25-281 argue that the existing laws do too little to discourage negligent driving, particularly in cases involving cyclists, pedestrians, and motorcyclists—groups who are often most vulnerable. Careless driving might not sound serious, but when someone’s injured, the consequences are very real. SB25-281 sends a message: if you hurt someone because you weren’t paying attention, you’ll be held accountable.

A distracted driver who hits a cyclist might only face a traffic ticket—even if the victim suffers long-term injuries.
Victims often feel that justice isn’t served when the legal consequences don’t match the physical and emotional damage done. Executive Director, Laurie Montoya, from the BikerDown Foundation said that in her 15 years of experience with families who have a biker who is severely injured or passed away, their biggest frustration is the aftermath of justice or lack there of. She advocates to all families if the driver was cited to go to the traffic court citation or speak with the prosecuting attorney to let them know their pain and suffering. It is imperitive that the judge or court knows the aftermath of suffering to render stiffer penalties to drivers who drive distracted or carelessly.

Who Supports the Bill?

This bill is gaining traction among:

Road safety advocacy groups – Peter Piccolo, Executive Director from Bicycle Colorado has helped lead the charge on SB25-281 and many other safety bills to help keep bicyclists safer on the road and encourage drivers to Share the Road. Susan Dane from CORD (Coloradans Organized for Responsible Driving). Susan has worked at the legislative level on and supported this and other awareness bills. Scott has worked tirelessly on SB19-012, which raised the fines for texting and driving, and getting SB20-065, a bill to limit mobile electronic devices while driving.
Motorcycle nonprofits such as BikerDown Foundation
Cycling and pedestrian coalitions
Personal injury attorneys – After careful investigation, only Rider Justice, a motorcycle injury law firm founded by Scott O’Sullivan, has supported this and other types of awareness bills. Scott has worked tirelessly on SB19-012, which raised the fines for texting and driving, and getting SB20-065, a bill to limit mobile electronic devices while driving.
Many concerned citizens and victims’ families

These groups are pushing for a justice system that reflects the seriousness of careless driving that results in injury.

What Can YOU Do?

● Write members of the Senate Judiciary Committee; Bicycle Colorado will send a Legislative Action Alert today
● Write your representatives to make them aware of the bill (see below)
● Attend the press conference and Senate Judiciary Committee meeting on April 16 at the Capitol
● Testify (in person or virtually) at the Senate Judiciary Committee meeting on April 16 at 1:30 at the Capitol
● Write an op-ed to your local paper, repost content on social media, and discuss with friends and family

Supporting Documents
● SB25-281
● Key Messaging
● Press Release
● Press Event Media Advisory
● Colorado Public Radio
● 9 News

CALL THE MEMBERS ON THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE Today!

Please get in touch with the members of the Judiciary Committee below to request their support of this Bill. The Bill is attached for your review.

Julie Gonzales, Chair
julie.gonzales.senate@coleg.gov