09/24/2026
Announcements
Colorado DRE School 2027-1 Applications are OPEN!
Information below
Open Classes
NHTSA SFST Train the Trainer Instructor School- Federal Heights
September 29th- October 2nd, 2026
1 OPEN SEAT
ARIDE- Steamboat Springs
October 27th-28th, 2026
5 OPEN SEATS
NHTSA SFST Train the Trainer Instructor School- Colorado Springs
November 3rd-6th, 2026
2 OPEN SEATS
NHTSA SFST basic class- Dacono PD
November 9th-11th, 2026
ARIDE- Castle Rock
November 16th-17th, 2026
ARIDE- Broomfield
December 7th-8th, 2026
1 OPEN SEAT
Additional Training/Conferences
ONE YEAR LATER
November 3rd-4th, 2026
Open to DRE class of 2025-1, 2025-2, 2026-1
Email- Mark Ashby for details
Click Here to view the CDOT Law Enforcement Training Calendar
SFST & DRE Program Updates
This section highlights important updates, reminders and upcoming developments within Colorado’s SFST Instructor and Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) programs. As our programs continue to grow statewide, maintaining professionalism, consistency and standardization remains critical to the success and credibility of impaired driving enforcement efforts.
SFST Instructor Program Reminders
There are 3 open seats available for the upcoming SFST Instructor Schools. Look to the section above for registration links. Remember if you register for a class and your schedule changes, you need to cancel your registration through the registration site. This will allow someone else to attend.
DRE Program Updates
One Year Later is open for registration. This two day intense training opportunity is available to graduates of the 2025-1, 2025-2 and 2026-1 DRE Schools only. Please see your email for information or reach out to me directly for details. Space is limited.
Drug Assessment Reporting Tool (DART)
DART continues to be a huge success! As of today, we have 195 DRE reports entered into the system. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to learn the new system and get your evaluations entered. We are making great progress.
All Colorado DREs are required to enter every 2026 DRE Evaluation into DART, including the complete narrative.
If you are transferring a previously completed 2026 evaluation into DART, you will need to re-enter the evaluation data. The good news is that this process generally takes only 15–20 minutes at a computer, and you can copy and paste your existing narrative to make the process much faster.
For new evaluations, DREs using the tablet and computer together are reporting total completion times of around 45 minutes. That is a significant improvement over our previous process and exactly what we hoped DART would accomplish.
Just to make sure there is no confusion going forward:
All 2026 DRE Evaluations must be entered into DART.
The full narrative must be included.
From this point forward, all new DRE Evaluations will be completed in DART.
You may also enter evaluations completed prior to 2026 if you would like.
If you experience connectivity or access issues, please reach out. We want to help get those problems resolved:
Mark Ashby: [email protected]
Tuesday Black: [email protected]
Brian Phillips: [email protected]
If you have already received your tablet, please ensure that you have completed the Tablet Use Policy. Click HERE for that mandatory policy review and signature.
Colorado DRE Callout System
The DRE Call-out program is LIVE. We have had 2 successful requests and responses! Thank you to Brighton PD and Arvada PD for your quick responses. If you haven't added your name to the callout list, please send either Tuesday Black or myself and email.
SFST & DRE In-Service
The 2026 SFST/DRE In-Service training classes concluded this month in Denver. The 2027 SFST and DRE In-service calendar is being scheduled now. Look at next month's newsletter for dates, locations and times.
“Every impaired driver removed from the roadway is a life potentially saved. Professional enforcement, standardized training and teamwork remain our greatest tools in protecting Colorado communities.”
DRE 2027-1 Student Application Information Form
Legislative Update: Combating Illicit Xylazine Act
An important development involving xylazine occurred this month. On September 16, 2026, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed the bipartisan Combating Illicit Xylazine Act.
The legislation would classify xylazine as a Schedule III controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act, while maintaining protections for its legitimate veterinary use.
What would the legislation do?
Strengthen enforcement: The legislation would provide additional tools to address the illicit distribution and trafficking of xylazine and allow the DEA to better track its manufacture and potential diversion.
Protect legitimate veterinary use: Veterinarians, farmers, and ranchers would continue to have lawful access to xylazine for legitimate animal care. The legislation includes an "ultimate user" provision designed to protect these uses.
Improve national tracking: The legislation would require additional reporting on the prevalence, risks, diversion, and illicit use of xylazine in the United States.
Next step — the U.S. Senate: House passage does not mean xylazine is federally Schedule III yet. The legislation must still advance through the Senate and complete the remaining legislative process before becoming law.
Why This Matters to DREs
Xylazine continues to be an important emerging-drug issue for the DRE community. It is a veterinary sedative that has increasingly appeared in the illicit drug supply, including in combination with fentanyl.
This legislation is worth watching because a change in xylazine's federal controlled-substance status could have implications for enforcement, investigations, toxicology, and how we discuss the drug during DRE training.
For now, this is a legislative update—not a change in federal law. We will continue to follow the bill as it moves through Congress and provide additional information if its legal status changes.
CPW Officers Recognized for Life-Saving Response
Six Colorado Parks and Wildlife personnel were recognized for life-saving actions following a serious boating accident at Chatfield State Park on July 11.
The incident involved a man whose lower leg was amputated by a boat propeller while on Chatfield Reservoir. CPW personnel quickly coordinated the boat’s return to the marina and began emergency treatment. Park Ranger Kennedy Miller, a graduate of Colorado’s 2026-1 DRE School, and Seasonal Park Officer Danny Brown applied multiple tourniquets, controlling severe bleeding and helping prevent a potentially fatal hemorrhage. Other CPW personnel assisted with escorting the vessel, providing patient care, and securing the boat for investigation.
South Metro Fire Rescue and West Metro Fire transported the patient to AdventHealth Littleton, where he received additional treatment. He survived and is reportedly making good progress in rehabilitation.
Park Ranger Kennedy Miller is pictured second from the right.
Click here to submit a CIDPAR form!
Is it Cabbage or M**h?
Have you been promoted? Do you know of a DRE/SFST Officer promotion? Click here to email us that information.
Click here to request access to the CDOT SFST Instructor Materials
CBI Drug Monographs
Colorado Enhanced State SFST, DRE and ARIDE Standards. Click here to Download.
The CDOT Team consists of-
Mark Ashby, CDOT SFST/DRE State Coordinator
Tuesday Black, CDOT SFST/DRE Program Manager
Comments/Questions please email [email protected]
To sign up for the Newsletter, please click on the picture or use the registration link- https://mailchi.mp/state.co.us/colorado_impaireddrivingnews
