Colorado’s teen drivers talk driving high with CDOT, Denver7

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and Top Cops Driving School joined Denver7 and news anchor Micah Smith for a candid on-set conversation about teens and cannabis-impaired driving.

The special interview, which aired May 29, is part of CDOT’s ongoing “Drive High, Get a DUI” campaign aimed at educating new drivers — ages 15 to 17 — before they earn their license. CDOT and driving schools across the state are working together to make sure students understand that driving high is both dangerous and illegal, as they are under the legal age of consumption.

The timing is key. Safety officials call the stretch between Memorial Day and Labor Day the “100 Deadliest Days” due to a historical increase in traffic crashes and fatalities. It’s also when many teens are logging extra hours behind the wheel and completing driver’s education courses.

During the segment, Top Cops students and CDOT Communications Manager Sam Cole spoke about the risks of driving under the influence of cannabis and the importance of making safe decisions. Cole also shared tips for parents and caregivers on how to talk to teens about staying safe on the road.

The story aired on Denver7.com and was published on the station’s website and social media channels. It included some of the educational materials developed by CDOT and informed by students in partner driving schools around the state. Materials are delivered through driving schools and are displayed at Colorado DMV and driver’s license offices where teens go to obtain their licenses.