Last week, Deputy Chad Johnson of the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office completed advanced training to become a certified Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) in Colorado. This certification is part of the agency’s efforts to reduce traffic fatalities and improve safety for drivers, passengers, and pedestrians in the Pikes Peak region.
Deputy Johnson joins Deputy Joshua Offutt, who received his DRE certification in 2025. Both deputies are now among only 125 certified DREs across Colorado. These experts can be deployed anywhere in the state to help law enforcement agencies with investigations involving impaired driving.
The Colorado Department of Transportation funded Deputy Johnson’s training and certification. The role of a DRE involves completing all phases of the Drug Evaluation and Classification Program (DECP), which is overseen by the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. DREs receive specialized training to identify drug-impaired drivers and determine which substances may be causing impairment.
El Paso County Sheriff Joseph Roybal stated, “I am elated Deputy Johnson has earned his certification as a Drug Recognition Expert for our agency and community. Deputy Johnson consistently demonstrates dedication to DUI enforcement and works tirelessly to make our roads safer for everyone. This training strengthens our ability and our partner agencies to properly identify drug or alcohol-impaired drivers.
“I thank our partners at the Colorado Department of Transportation for their continued support of our mission- to keep Colorado road users safe- and congratulate Deputy Johnson on completing this critical, high-level training.”
