The Boulder County DA’s office has yet to file charges in the cycling fatality in Lefthand Canyon, June 17 of this year. Christopher Loven, 45, of Boulder, was driving his dump truck westbound (uphill) and failed to yield at the turn to Olde Stage Road. Eugene Howrey, 73, collided with Loven’s truck while descending eastbound on his bicycle. Howrey died at the scene, with his wife present. (You may catch more details HERE.)
The DA’s office awaits the final report from the Colorado State Patrol (CSP) and will then decide whether to file charges. A message with the regional office (District 6; Major Stephen Powell’s office) of the CSP went unanswered. In a subsequent call, CSP staff explained any investigation involving a fatality takes longer than a “routine” case. There was no estimated date of completion, so at this point we’re waiting.
In the meantime, the CSP has verified that their hotline for mobile numbers — *CSP or *277 — is available to cyclists as well as motorists. Any one witnessing aggressive, erratic, or dangerous driving can dial *CSP from their mobile (and only their mobile; the number doesn’t work from land lines) to report the activity. Callers are strongly encouraged to get a license plate number (as well as a description of the driver, vehicle, and its direction of travel), as the complaint is added to a state-wide database. Should a registered plate receive three complaints, the CSP automatically sends a letter to the owner of the vehicle. Complaints are archived, as well, so in the event the driver is involved in a future incident, she or he will have a record of dangerous driving. Use the number!
I’ll post an informative press release below. Read it and help keep the roads safe by using the CSP number above.
The Colorado State Patrol (CSP) confirmed that its hotline to report aggressive driving is available to bicyclists if they see a motorist putting a bicyclist at risk.
The phone number is Star CSP (*277) when dialed from a mobile phone. Thanks to a State Patrol partnership with mobile phone companies calls to this hotline are free.
This is not like a normal phone number; you do not need to dial an area code. Simply press the * key (usually the lowest left key on a phone pad) and then 277. This number only works on mobile phones. If you are calling from a non-mobile phone dial 303-239-4501 or any State Patrol Communication Center. In the case of an emergency dial 911.
Bicycle Colorado confirmed bicyclists’ use of this hotline during discussions with the State Patrol to remove the cap on bicycling events.
When dialing Star CSP bicyclists should be prepared to communicate:
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Vehicle license plate number – this is mandatory
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Location and direction of travel
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Vehicle and driver description, if possible
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The aggressive driving behavior being demonstrated
The license plate number is the key. This allows the State Patrol to identify the vehicle owner’s name, driving record, and address. Without the license plate number, identifying the vehicle is impossible.
According to the State Patrol website, they enter this information into an aggressive driver database and send a warning letter after receiving three complaints. If the State Patrol receives additional complaints they send a trooper to make personal contact with the registered owner of the vehicle to take appropriate enforcement action.
Bicyclists may report aggressive driving from any road in Colorado, not just a state highway. If you are not on a state highway the State Patrol will offer to connect you to the local police or sheriff to file a report. Ask the State Patrol to please take your report and enter the license into the aggressive driver database before being transferred.
We applaud the State Patrol for its work keeping roads safe. Star CSP is an important tool for bicycling safety and helping to ensure aggressive drivers are held accountable for their actions. Colorado State Patrol’s Star CSP website is: https://csp.state.co.us/dialstar.html
Star CSP is an important tool to help keep roads safe – please share this info with your friends.
