Law enforcement teams from Colorado’s Western Slope just earned high praise for doing the kind of work that rarely makes headlines but saves lives every single day.
On May 14, at a ceremony that didn’t need fanfare to feel important, ten officers and teams were named as 2025 Law Enforcement Champions. The awards, presented by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), highlighted the tireless efforts of troopers and police officers who go all-in on stopping drunk and drugged drivers before tragedy strikes.
Fruita Troop Takes a Bow
Out on the Western Slope, where highways wind through mountain passes and sleepy towns, Colorado State Patrol’s Fruita-based Troop 4A stood out.
One of the loudest rounds of applause went to Trooper Dennis Guffey. He was recognized for his relentless commitment to impaired driving enforcement—something that isn’t just about numbers, but the real, sometimes messy, work of pulling impaired drivers off the road before it’s too late.
Corporal Jordan Horan got his own moment too. As Drug Recognition Expert Instructor of the Year, he’s trained others to spot the subtleties of drug impairment—stuff most of us wouldn’t notice unless we knew what to look for.
And then the whole Troop 4A team walked up together. Their award? Outstanding Team Dedication to Impaired Driving Enforcement.
It wasn’t just one officer going above and beyond—it was the whole crew.
Recognition That Hits Home
The awards weren’t just about Fruita.
In Palisade, a name came up that locals know well—Officer Gilbert Mcvay. Like Guffey, he was recognized for his individual drive to stop impaired drivers. For a town of just a few thousand, it’s a big deal to be on a statewide radar for something this important.
This wasn’t about politics or PR.
This was about the kind of quiet grind that most people never see:
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Long shifts on night patrol
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Pulling over a driver who might be one drink away from disaster
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Sitting through court dates and paperwork afterward
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Missing family dinners to keep someone else’s family whole
It hits differently when you think about it like that.
Here’s Who Else Made the List
The recognition extended beyond Mesa County. CDOT and MADD released a full list of awardees, which covered both the Western Slope and the Mountain Regions. Here’s a quick breakdown of who was recognized and where they serve:
| Name / Team | Department / Troop | Award Description |
|---|---|---|
| Trooper Dennis Guffey | CSP Troop 4A – Fruita | Individual Dedication to Impaired Driving Enforcement |
| Corporal Jordan Horan | CSP Troop 4A – Fruita | Drug Recognition Expert Instructor of the Year |
| CSP Troop 4A | CSP Troop 4A – Fruita | Team Dedication to Impaired Driving Enforcement |
| Officer Gilbert Mcvay | Palisade Police Department | Individual Dedication to Impaired Driving Enforcement |
| Additional Officers | CSP Troop 5A – Durango | Various Traffic Safety Categories |
| Craig Police Department Officer | Craig PD | Enforcement & Occupant Safety |
| Avon Police Department Officer | Avon PD | Speed Limit Enforcement and Public Safety |
| Conejos County Sheriff’s Representative | Conejos County SO | DUI and Seat Belt Enforcement |
| Colorado Liquor Enforcement Division | Statewide | Support for DUI Prevention and Compliance |
That’s a wide swath of Colorado being covered. And it’s not just enforcement. It’s education, community outreach, and sometimes just showing up when someone calls at 2am.
Why This Matters, Even If You’re Not Paying Attention
Most drivers don’t think much about DUI enforcement unless they’re in the rearview mirror of a patrol car. But the ripple effect of what these officers do is massive.
Drunk driving deaths in Colorado have been climbing. According to CDOT, in 2023 there were 286 alcohol-related fatalities—a 12% jump from 2022. That’s the highest in over a decade.
And for every fatality, there are countless more injuries, close calls, and near misses that never make the news.
One sentence to breathe.
What the officers recognized this week are doing isn’t glamorous. But it’s working. Communities on the Western Slope are safer because someone decided to stop one more car. To make one more arrest. To teach one more rookie officer how to read a field sobriety test like a storybook.
Behind the Applause: What CDOT and MADD Had to Say
Officials from both CDOT and MADD spoke with clear emotion at the event. This wasn’t just box-checking.
Darrell Lingk, CDOT’s Highway Safety Director, made it clear this work saves lives:
“We’re ever grateful to the brave men and women in law enforcement who keep our roads and communities safe.”
He added that safety isn’t just about speed limits or construction—it’s about recognizing the real, human role law enforcement plays in making highways less deadly.
Rebecca Green from MADD Colorado echoed that sentiment. Her words struck a chord:
“So many people will never know the debt that they owe to our law enforcement heroes.”
She’s not wrong. If enforcement works, most people don’t even notice.
And maybe that’s the best measure of success—when the danger doesn’t happen.
