Bridging the Gap: How Colorado’s Blue Envelope Program Enhances Traffic Stop Safety for Neurodiverse Drivers

There’s no two ways about it - navigating a traffic stop is stressful for everyone! But for individuals with neurodivergence or invisible disabilities, the experience can be especially overwhelming. Enter the Blue Envelope Program.

The Blue Envelope Program is a voluntary, nationwide initiative that aims to reduce misunderstandings and enhance safety for drivers and officers alike. The program allows drivers with communication or sensory processing differences to carry their registration and proof of insurance in a distinctive blue envelope which signals to the officer that they have unique needs.  On the exterior of the envelope, drivers fill out helpful information about their condition (i.e. “I have a brain injury and may take extra time to process information.”). They may also request accommodations to improve communication (i.e. “Please speak slowly and allow extra time for me to respond.”) The blue envelope is kept in the vehicle's glove compartment for easy access and handed to an officer during a traffic stop. 

Driver at a traffic stop

The Blue Envelope Program originated in Connecticut and has been adopted in various forms by law enforcement agencies across the country, including in Massachusetts, Arizona, and Rhode Island. In January, the Boulder Police Department was the first agency to implement the program in Colorado.  Its success has encouraged other agencies to follow suit and the program is rapidly expanding. A recent report by KDVR in Denver shows the following agencies currently participate in the Blue Envelope Program:

• Arvada Police Department

• Boulder County Sheriff’s Office

• Boulder Police Department

• Commerce City Police Department

• Edgewater Police Department

• Erie Police Department

• Golden Police Department

• Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office

• Lakewood Police Department

• Longmont Public Safety

• Louisville Police Department

• Wheat Ridge Police Department

Individuals may request a blue envelope from participating law enforcement agencies and their respective DMVs.  The Jefferson County Clerk’s Office states that the program has “gained national recognition among first responders for its ability to improve communication during high-stress situations. Because it does not require a sign-up, diagnosis, or any personal documentation, it remains a fully accessible and voluntary tool for individuals who want to indicate they have different communication needs.” (Longmont Leader)

Fitness to Drive’s Mock Traffic Stop Workshops are the perfect complement to the Blue Envelope program.  Designed to make traffic stops a safer, smoother experience for all, these workshops provide a hands-on experience that simulates real traffic stops in a supportive learning environment.  In collaboration with local law enforcement and occupational therapists, participants engage in role-play scenarios that help them:

• Understand the behaviors officers expect during a stop.

• Practice what to do when pulled over.

• Learn how to safely present documents and disclose any unique needs (even if the blue envelope is not available in their area).

• Build familiarity with the sensory and social dynamics of a traffic encounter.

These workshops reduce anxiety and boost self-confidence, allowing neurodivergent drivers to feel more prepared and less overwhelmed on the road.  Equally important,  the program allows officers the chance to better understand some of the unique behaviors they may encounter in neurodivergent youth and gives them an opportunity to foster trust within the community.   

Misunderstandings during traffic stops can have serious consequences—especially for individuals whose behavior may be perceived as suspicious or defiant due to neurodivergence.

By promoting awareness, empathy, and preparedness, the Blue Envelope and Fitness to Drive programs pave the way for safer, more respectful interactions between drivers and law enforcement. Programs like these are not just educational; they could be lifesaving.