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Over the past holiday season, motorists in Colorado may have noticed an increased police presence on the roads. Every year, the Colorado Department of Transportation undertakes what it calls “The Heat Is On” initiative. Throughout the year, 14 separate high-visibility drunk driving enforcement periods are established, for example, there is one on New Year’s Eve.

Absent neglect or abuse, children in Colorado generally benefit from having a meaningful, supportive relationship with both of their parents, even if their parents are no longer in a relationship with one another. However, if unmarried parents have a child and later split up, paternity needs to be established before the father can pursue parenting time with the child or before the mother can seek child support.

It may be surprising to people in Colorado when a friend or relative who has been married for decades announces they are ending their marriage. However, “gray divorces” — that is, divorces among those age 50 and older — are becoming more common, and, in fact, the rate of such splits has increased two-fold since 1990.

Being pulled over by the police can be embarrassing, but, more importantly, it can result in significant penalties. A person in Colorado can receive a traffic ticket for various reasons.

Marijuana cultivation, subject to limitations, has been permitted in Colorado for several years now. This has been beneficial to many Coloradans, especially those who use the drug medicinally.

Some parents in Colorado who are divorced are still able to get along well enough to co-parent. However, to successfully co-parent, parents need to be able to communicate effectively, reach agreements together regarding the child’s upbringing and even be able to attend important events together with their child.

When a person is diagnosed with cancer, they will have to make the difficult decision of how they want to treat the disease. Some people in Colorado may choose traditional treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation. However, others might want to explore alternative cancer treatments. If that is the case, should those who administer alternative cancer treatments be held criminally liable if their patient dies?

Spouses may come into a marriage with very different attitudes regarding their finances. For example, one spouse may be a saver, setting money aside for a rainy day, while the other spouse may be a spender. This can cause friction in a marriage that could ultimately lead to divorce.

Recreational marijuana use is legal in in our state, but too much can still impair one’s senses. However, is drugged driving as serious as drunk driving? One study by the U.S. Department of Transportation suggests perhaps not.

While the use of marijuana is legal in Colorado, there are still many other drug crimes a Coloradan can be charged with. For example, the possession of substances such as cocaine, heroin, or methamphetamine can result in serious drug charges, as can the trafficking of these drugs. Even possessing drug paraphernalia can lead to drug charges that could result in serious penalties.