10-04-2025
Proposed bill preventing officers from asking drivers why they were pulled over dies in committee
DENVER (KDVR) — A proposed bill that would have prohibited officers from asking drivers why they were pulled over died in committee.
House Bill 25-1243, 'Peace Officer Questions During Traffic Stop,' was proposed in February and would've prevented peace officers from asking the common question when they pull over a driver: 'Do you know why I pulled you over?'
Some argue that the proposed bill that would have required police officers to tell the driver the reason they were pulled over would've protected both officers and drivers.
Skyler McKinley with AAA said the bill would have limited the time officers spend on the road while pulling someone over, which helps with safety. The less time spent on the open road, the less likely it is an officer would be hit by an oncoming car.
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Meanwhile, Sen. Faith Winter, a Democrat who co-sponsored the bill, said it would help with officer transparency and build trust, as many of her constituents didn't know that they didn't need to answer that common question.
However, the bill was only proposed for two months before it died in committee.
During the Judiciary Committee meeting on April 2, Rep. Mandy Lindsay, a co-sponsor of the bill, said the bill stems from roadside safety, and people shouldn't have to jump through 'intellectual hoops' while being pulled over, especially since officers have a vast knowledge of the law, while drivers may not.
The discussion about the bill went on for almost two hours, with many representatives asking about the point of the proposed bill, as it didn't have any consequences for the officers if they broke the law.
Rep. Cecelia Espenoza said she's struggling with the 'why' as there is no penalty, and she was hesitant as it would be restraining the words of a peace officer without a specific public safety issue other than the anxiety of being pulled over.
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Several people agreed with the idea of the bill, but they wanted more 'teeth in it' and punishment.
The committee postponed the bill indefinitely in an 8-3 vote. The only representatives voting against the postponement were Lorena Garcia, Elizabeth Velasco and Javier Mabrey.
The proposed bill's history said it was postponed 'indefinitely, using a reversal of the previous roll call.' The reverse roll call was used since no one objected.
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