Colorado Families Turn Tragedy Into Action as Landmark Roadway Safety Laws Take Effect

August 12, 2026

The White Line Foundation joins families, advocates and lawmakers at the Colorado State Capitol to mark a historic year for roadway safety

DENVER, August 12, 2026 /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – Years of advocacy by Colorado families who lost loved ones to preventable roadway crashes are becoming law. On Wednesday, August 12, The White Line Foundation will join families and lawmakers along with AAA, Bicycle Colorado, and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) at the Colorado State Capitol to mark the implementation of a landmark package of new laws aimed at preventing crashes, protecting vulnerable road users and holding dangerous drivers accountable.

The laws represent one of the most significant roadway safety legislative sessions in recent Colorado history, and many were born from the experiences of families who turned unimaginable loss into action.

Among them is Magnus’ Law, named for 17-year-old U.S. National Cycling Team member Magnus White, who was struck and killed by a driver while training near his Boulder County home in 2023. Magnus’ parents, Jill and Michael White, went on to establish The White Line Foundation and have spent the years advocating for systemic changes to make Colorado’s roads safer.

“This is what happens when families refuse to accept that roadway deaths are simply inevitable,” said Jacqueline Claudia, Executive Director of The White Line. “None of these laws can bring back the people we love. But they can prevent another family from experiencing the same loss. That is why we kept showing up, and why this moment matters so much.”

The legislative victories include:

• SB26-132, Magnus’ Law: Requires an officer to offer a voluntary preliminary breath test to a driver reasonably suspected of fault in a crash that kills or seriously injures someone.
• HB26-1318, The Liam Stewart School Zone Act: Strengthens and standardizes protections around Colorado schools, including new requirements for school-zone boundaries and additional tools communities can use to protect children traveling to and from school.
• HB26-1237, Crashes Not Accidents + Bike Lane Protections: Makes stopping, standing or parking in a marked bike lane illegal statewide and replaces the word “accident” with “crash” across roughly 90 Colorado statutes. With the change, Colorado becomes only the second state in the nation to formally replace “accident” with “crash” in state law, recognizing that roadway crashes are preventable, not inevitable.
• SB26-035, Stronger Consequences for Dangerous Speeding: Creates escalating consequences for repeat excessive speeders, including increased license points. Driving 100 mph or more adds four points, while passing in a no-passing zone becomes a six-point violation.
• HB26-1127, Crash Data and Reporting: Requires coroners to report toxicology results to CDOT quarterly for every crash death and requires law enforcement to amend crash reports when someone dies within 30 days of a crash.
• SB26-072, Criminally Negligent Homicide with a Vehicle: Amends the existing felony of Criminally Negligent Homicide to clarify that it applies to crimes committed with a vehicle, effective September 1, 2026.
• HB26-1242, Ignition Interlock Reform: Strengthens Colorado’s ignition interlock requirements for first-time impaired driving offenders, expands financial assistance, and increases access to interlocks, effective June 1, 2027. With these changes, Colorado now has one of the strongest ignition interlock laws in the country, which will reduce repeat impaired driving incidents.

“What the Colorado General Assembly did for road safety in the 2026 legislative session will create monumental safety improvements for Coloradans and our roadways,” said State Senator Dylan Roberts (D-Frisco) who was the prime sponsor of 4 of the new laws. “These bipartisan reforms and improvements will mean safer roads, improved justice for victims and their families, and ultimately, more people returning home safely. The White Line is clearly a force to be reckoned with and we are all grateful for their work to honor the tragic loss of Magnus White by creating positive change for others.”

“The White Line Foundation was a major force in making 2026 a banner year for roadway safety in Colorado,” said State Senator John Carson (R-Highlands Ranch) who was the prime sponsor of 3 of the new laws. “The deaths and injuries on our Colorado roads made it absolutely clear that our laws had to change. There is no doubt in my mind that the work of The White Line is going to save lives and spare other families the pain they live with every day.”

The White Line Foundation is grateful to Sen. Carson and Sen. Roberts as well as the following bill sponsors for their leadership: Sen. Lisa Cutter, Sen. William Lindstedt, Sen. Marc Snyder, Rep. Chad Clifford, Rep. Cecelia Espenoza, Rep. Meg Froelich, Rep. Jamie Jackson, Rep. Junie Joseph, Rep. Bob Marshall, Rep. Kenny Nguyen, Rep. Amy Paschal, Rep. Manny Rutinel, Rep. Lesley Smith, Rep. Matt Soper, and Rep. Rick Taggart.

About The White Line

Our mission is clear: honor Magnus White’s legacy by changing driver behavior through real stories, hard data and lifesaving technology. People are dying now, and we need to act now. No apologies. No more stolen lives. No more shattered families. We’re committed to making the roads safer today. To donate visit https://www.thewhiteline.org/pages/donate For media inquiries or further information, please contact: Natalie Rizk The White Line media@thewhiteline.org

The White Line Foundation worked alongside families, lawmakers and advocacy organizations throughout the 2026 legislative session to advance roadway safety measures. The organization’s broader goal is not simply to respond to individual tragedies, but to change the systems, policies and culture that allow preventable roadway deaths to continue.

On Wednesday afternoon, those families and advocates will gather with the lawmakers who championed the legislation to discuss what the new laws mean for Coloradans and the work still ahead.

CAPITOL NEWS CONFERENCE

Wednesday, August 12 at 3:30 p.m.
Colorado State Capitol, West Foyer
200 E. Colfax Ave., Denver

Media may begin setting up at 3:00 p.m.

Speakers will include Michael White, mother of Magnus White and co-founder of The White Line Foundation; Josh Stewart, father of Liam Stewart; and Teri Vogel, wife of Chuck Vogel, alongside roadway safety advocates and state lawmakers.

Confirmed lawmakers include Sen. John Carson, Sen. Lisa Cutter, Rep. Chad Clifford, Rep. Cecelia Espenoza, Rep. Meg Froelich, Rep. Kenny Nguyen, Rep. Bob Marshall, Rep. Amy Paschal, Rep. Wlilliam Lindstedt, Sen. Marc Snyder, and Rep. Matt Soper.

Families, advocates, subject matter experts and bill sponsors will be available for media interviews before and after the news conference.

About The White Line

Our mission is clear: honor Magnus White’s legacy by changing driver behavior through real stories, hard data and lifesaving technology. People are dying now, and we need to act now. No apologies. No more stolen lives. No more shattered families. We’re committed to making the roads safer today.

To donate visit https://www.thewhiteline.org/pages/donate

For media inquiries or further information, please contact:

Natalie Rizk

The White Line

media@thewhiteline.org