Click her to read Part I – Making an informed decision about when to stop driving.
Driving in Estes Park can be beautiful, but it can also be unforgiving. A short trip across town can involve steep grades, sudden changes in weather, elk or deer near the roadway, visitors searching for a turn, sun glare, early darkness, and traffic moving at very different speeds.
Most drivers handle those conditions without incident. The concern begins when slower reactions, confusion, vision problems, or missed details start to appear behind the wheel.
Because driving is closely tied to independence, this topic needs to be handled carefully.
A license means groceries, appointments, church, volunteering, and visits with friends without having to ask for a ride.
No one should be judged simply because they are older, but families and law enforcement officers cannot ignore real warning signs when a driver may be putting themselves or others at risk.
What concerns should get attention?
A single mistake doesn’t automatically mean someone needs to stop driving, though one severe incident might require immediate action. Generally, you want to watch for a pattern.
Families might notice repeated minor crashes, fresh scrapes or dents on the car, difficulty parking, confusion at intersections, trouble holding a lane, or a sudden increase in close calls.
On patrol, police officers might encounter crashes, wrong-way drivers, individuals who seem deeply confused during a routine traffic stop, or drivers who fail to notice traffic signals, pedestrians, emergency vehicles, or changing road conditions.
Seeing these signs doesn’t always result in a license being revoked. Sometimes, the best solution is a vision exam, a medication review, a driving refresher course, or simply agreeing to stick to daytime driving and familiar routes.
From a law enforcement perspective, the most important thing is that repeated warning signs aren’t ignored until a crash forces the issue.
The role of the police
The Estes Park Police Department handles these situations with senior drivers with respect and compassion. We know that driving represents routine and control over one’s life, and losing that freedom can feel devastating. People deserve patience and dignity during these encounters.
However, compassion doesn’t mean ignoring a clear danger to the public. Officers have a duty to protect drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists. When a driver creates an immediate hazard or a repeated safety concern, we will act within the law. This might involve:
- Stopping a vehicle with a lawful justification.
- Investigating crashes or traffic violations.
- Arranging safe transportation if a driver shouldn’t leave the scene behind the wheel.
- Issuing citations when supported by facts.
- Documenting observations and submitting information to the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles for consideration of a driver’s license retest.
Officers do not have the power to simply revoke a driver’s license because a person is older or because a family member is worried. Licensing actions are strictly handled through the DMV or the courts. We can only respond to the safety issues in front of us, document what we see, and initiate the legal review process when necessary.
Talk early and stick to the facts
Families are almost always the first to notice changes in driving behavior, long before the police get involved. These conversations go much better when framed around safety and independence rather than age or blame.
Be specific. Saying, “I noticed you missed two stop signs this month,” is much more productive than a vague, “You aren’t safe anymore.” It grounds the concern in reality.
Keep notes on what you observe, including dates, locations, crashes, citations, and vehicle damage. If you have to talk to a doctor, an officer, or the DMV, a concrete sentence like “She drove through the stop sign at Moraine Avenue and Crags Drive on Tuesday afternoon” gives them something concrete to evaluate.
When to Call for Help
- Emergencies: If someone poses an immediate danger on the road, such as driving the wrong way, swerving out of their lane, nearly hitting pedestrians, appearing totally lost in traffic, or involved in a crash, then call 911 immediately.
- Non-emergencies: For serious concerns that aren’t immediate emergencies, families can talk to a medical provider, contact law enforcement for guidance, or request a DMV reexamination directly. Always provide factual details about what happened, when, where, and who saw it.
Colorado’s driver reexamination process
When there is a serious, fact-based concern, Colorado allows the DMV to review whether a person can still drive safely. This is a safety review, not a punishment, and it could result in no changes, added driving restrictions, mandatory testing, or a loss of driving privileges.
- The voluntary route: A voluntary decision is always best. A person ready to stop driving can surrender their license at the DMV and get an ID card instead. For Coloradans aged 60 and older, this ID is completely free, and there is no penalty for voluntarily surrendering a license.
- Requesting a Reexamination: If the driver refuses to stop voluntarily and the danger remains, immediate family members, medical professionals, or law enforcement can formally request a reexamination.
- Note on privacy: These reports are not anonymous. Family members must identify themselves and their relationship to the driver. The driver can also request their DMV records to find out who submitted the report.
- How to submit: Write a direct, factual request including the driver’s full name and date of birth, your name and relationship, the reason for the concern, and specific incidents you personally witnessed. Full instructions are can be found on the Colorado DMV website.
- The DMV’s Response: If accepted, the DMV will mail the driver a notice outlining what they must do and by when. This might include vision, medical, written, or driving tests. If they pass the requirements, they can keep driving, sometimes with new restrictions. Fail to complete the steps by the deadline, and they could lose their driving privileges.
Colorado Renewal Rules for Older Drivers
Colorado does not automatically revoke a driver’s license at age 80. Adult licenses are typically issued for five years. However, there are special vision requirements:
- Online renewals (80+): Drivers 80 or older renewing online must upload an Eye Examination Report (Form DR 2498) completed by an eye doctor from an exam within the last six months.
- In-person renewals (80+): Drivers renewing in person simply take a basic vision screening at the DMV office and do not need to bring the form.
- More details can be found on the Colorado DMV website.
Limiting or giving up driving can feel like a major loss, and families should not minimize that. But waiting for a serious crash is not compassion. It only leaves fewer choices for the driver, the family, and everyone sharing the road.
The better approach is to start the conversation early, stay focused on specific facts, involve medical professionals when appropriate, and use the DMV process when a safety concern needs formal review.
From a law enforcement perspective, our goal is not to take independence from people who can still drive safely. Our responsibility is to respond when the facts show that a driver may no longer be safe, and to use the lawful tools available to protect that driver and the public.
Jeremiah Polucha is a commander with the Estes Park Police Department.
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