Law Enforcement Impaired Driving Training

Standardized Field Sobriety Test (SFST)

A battery of tests, Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus, Walk-and-Turn, and One-Leg Stand, administered and evaluated in a standardized manner to obtain validated indicators of impairment based on National Highway Transportation Safety (NHTSA) research.

Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE)

The ARIDE program was developed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) with input from the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Technical Advisory Panel (TAP) and the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police. ARIDE was created to address the gap in training between the SFST and the Drug Evaluation and Classification (DEC) Program.

ARIDE is intended to bridge the gap between these two programs by providing officers with general knowledge related to drug impairment and by promoting the use of DREs in states that have the DEC program. One of the more significant aspects of ARIDE is its review and required student demonstration of the SFST proficiency requirements. The ARIDE program also stresses the importance of securing the most appropriate biological sample in order to identify substances likely causing impairment.

Drug Recognition Experts (DRE) Program

A Colorado Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) is a law enforcement officer trained to recognize impairment in drivers under the influence of drugs other than, or in addition to, alcohol. The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) coordinates the International Drug Evaluation and Classification (DEC) Program with support from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of the U.S. Department of Transportation.

The Colorado DRE program began in 1987.

How to Become a DRE

The Drug Evaluation and Classification (DEC) Program has received national acclaim for its success in identifying the drug-impaired driver. Officers trained as DREs are frequently called upon to differentiate between drug influence and medical and/or mental disorders and is an extremely valuable tool in combating the adverse impact of drug and alcohol impaired driving in our communities. If you wish to apply for our next DRE Training School, please email the DRE state coordinator or DRE program manager.

As of 2021:

  • Over the course of the entire DRE Program, 719 Colorado law enforcement officers have completed DRE training
  • There are currently 179 active DREs
  • 62 agencies have DREs
  • Of the 179 active DREs, 49 serve with the Colorado State Patrol

DRE of the Year Award

The Colorado DRE program annually recognizes a person with the DRE of the Year award. This award is given to an individual who has made significant contributions to the program.

Congratulations to the recipients of the DRE of the Year award!

Recipients include:

  • 2023:
    • DRE of the Year – Front Range: Officer Matthew Hood, Colorado Springs Police Department.
    • DRE of the Year – Rural: Trooper Clinton Doren, Colorado State Patrol Troop 4C Eagle Post
    • DRE Instructor of the Year: Officer Brooke Mourey, Aurora Police Department
  • 2022:
    • DRE of the Year – Front Range: Sergeant Glenn Thomas, Colorado Springs Police Department 
    • DRE of the Year – Rural: Master Trooper Dave Copeland, Colorado State Patrol
    • DRE Instructor of the Year: Sergeant Alan Ma, Denver Police Department
  • 2021:
    • DRE of the Year – Front Range: Police Sergeant Glenn Thomas Senior, Colorado Springs Police Department
    • DRE of the Year – Rural: Officer Kelli Litzau, Rifle Police Department
    • DRE Instructor of the Year: Sergeant Carrie Jackson, Colorado State Patrol Troop 4C
  • 2020:
    • DRE of the Year – Front Range: Sergeant Jason Sparks, Colorado State Patrol Troop 3C
    • DRE of the Year – Rural: Sergeant Jennifer Plutt, Park County Sheriff’s Office
    • DRE Instructor of the Year: Corporal Nicholas Hazlett, Colorado State Patrol Troop 2B/E
  • 2019:
    • DRE of the Year - Front Range: Sergeant Jason Sparks, Colorado State Patrol
    • DRE of the Year - Rural: Sergeant Jennifer Plutt, Park County Sheriff's Office
    • DRE Instructor of the Year: Corporal Nicholas Hazlett, Colorado State Patrol
  • 2018:
    • DRE of the Year - Front Range: Trooper Jerry Sharp, Colorado State Patrol
    • DRE of the Year - Rural: Corporal Nick Hazlett, Colorado State Patrol
    • DRE Instructor of the Year: Trooper Dave Copeland, Colorado State Patrol
  • 2017 DRE of the Year: Officer Kevin Deichsel, Aurora Police Department 
  • 2016 DRE of the Year: Deputy Jennifer Plutt, Park County Sheriff's Office
  • 2015 DRE of the Year: Officer Alan Ma, Denver Police
  • 2014 DRE of the Year: Deputy Mark George, Boulder County Sheriff's Office
  • 2013 DRE of the Year: Chief Robert Ticer, Avon Police Department
  • 2012 DRE of the Year: Sergeant Craig Simpson, Colorado Springs Police
  • 2011 DRE of the Year: Trooper Jerald G. Wolff, Colorado State Patrol
  • 2010 DRE of the Year: Glenn Davis, Colorado Department of Transportation
  • 2009 DRE of the Year: Chief Brian Kozak, Avon Police
  • 2008 DRE of the Year: Lieutenant Jim Williamson, Littleton Police
  • 2007 DRE of the Year: Technician John Blea, Denver Police
  • 2006 DRE of the Year: Officer Mark Ashby, Thornton Police