Police Department of Fort Collins Introduces Blue Envelope Initiative to Assist Neurodivergent Motorists
The Fort Collins Police Services have launched a new initiative called the Blue Envelope Program, designed to improve communication and safety during traffic stops for individuals with communication-related disabilities.
The program provides drivers with a distinctive blue envelope, serving as a visual signal to law enforcement officers that the person they are interacting with may have unique communication needs or barriers.
Key features of the program include:
- Drivers keep their license, registration, and insurance card inside the blue envelope, which they present to the officer during a stop while saying, "I have a Blue Envelope." This signals the officer that the driver may communicate differently and may require patience and clear communication. - The envelope contains tips and guidance for both drivers and officers. Drivers receive reminders to stay calm, hand over the envelope, and feel comfortable asking for information to be repeated if unclear. For officers, the envelope offers suggestions such as using clear, direct language, allowing extra time for responses, and creating a calmer interaction. - The program is voluntary, free, confidential, and requires no paperwork or formal diagnosis proof, making it accessible to people with autism, dementia, or other communication challenges. - Law enforcement agencies implementing the program often accompany it with training to improve officers' understanding and response to neurodivergent drivers or those with communication difficulties.
The Fort Collins Police building serves as a point of contact for individuals interested in the Blue Envelope Program. Participation is voluntary and does not involve the collection or storage of personal information by the Fort Collins Police Department.
To learn more about or request a Blue Envelope, visit the Fort Collins Police building in person, located at 2221 Timberline Road. The blue envelopes are accessible to the public.
The Blue Envelope Program is part of Fort Collins Police's ongoing efforts to create a more inclusive and accessible community for all residents. Recently, Fort Collins Police partnered with Fit2Drive, a nonprofit supporting neurodiverse drivers, to conduct a mock traffic stop to introduce and evaluate the program locally.
Individuals can use the blue envelope to store key documents such as a driver's license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance. The envelope also allows individuals to include a note explaining their specific communication needs.
For additional information on neurodivergent driving support, visit fitnesstodrive.org. The Blue Envelope Program improves communication and safety by reducing anxiety, bridging communication gaps, signaling to officers that a different communication approach is needed, and encouraging patience and clarity during traffic stops. This leads to safer, less stressful experiences for everyone involved during such high-pressure encounters.
- The Blue Envelope Program, implemented by the Fort Collins Police Services, is extending its scope to include events focused on health-and-wellness and mental health, aiming to foster a broader sense of community inclusion and support.
- Fort Collins' community initiatives, such as the Blue Envelope Program, have garnered attention from organizations like Fit2Drive, with a shared goal of empowering neurodiverse individuals and promoting better understanding in health-and-wellness aspects, particularly mental health.
- In an effort to address diverse needs within the Fort Collins community, the Blue Envelope Program has been expanded to support resources related to health-and-wellness and mental health, increasing opportunities for events addressing these areas.
