2026 Winner

Lt. Col. Barry Bratt

Colorado State Patrol

Lt. Colonel Barry Bratt has dedicated more than four decades of his career to roadway safety, advancing law enforcement strategies, data-driven improvements, and national standard development that directly reduce fatalities and serious injury crashes. He currently serves as the Region One Commander for the Colorado State Patrol, overseeing field operations in all four quadrants of the state. Lt. Colonel Bratt's leadership has been a driving force in the Colorado State Patrol’s motorcycle operations for decades. In addition, Lt. Colonel Bratt ushered in advancements in agency equipment and vehicles designed to maximize the safety of first responders operating on Colorado’s roadways.  His leadership has shaped operational practices for traffic enforcement, impaired driving countermeasures, crash response, incident management, and high-risk roadway event operations across the state.

Throughout his career, Lt. Colonel Bratt has developed and improved roadway safety outcomes through his service as a subject matter expert and national contributor to evolving model standards. He served as an SME for the NHTSA Model Minimum Uniform Crash Criteria 3rd, 4th, and 5th editions, and contributed to the NHTSA Model Performance Measures for State Traffic Records Systems. He chaired the Strategic Highway Safety Plan Data Emphasis work group in 2014, demonstrating his commitment to strengthening traffic records systems, data quality, and analysis used to drive national roadway safety policy decisions. Lt. Colonel Bratt has also actively engaged with the community, organizing various traffic safety programs to educate car enthusiasts. These initiatives provide a safe and controlled environment for motorists to participate in car racing. He has also organized, led, and supported major roadway-related special events, including Olympic torch relay escorts, USA Pro Cycling Challenge operations, Presidential visits, air shows, and the World Alpine Ski Championships—safely moving hundreds of thousands of roadway users with precision, coordinated planning, and life-saving execution.

Within AAMVA, Lt. Colonel Bratt is an influential leader recognized nationally for his expertise. He served on the AAMVA Region 4 Board of Directors from 2018 to 2023, was elected Secretary in 2023, and currently serves as the Region 4 President. He is also the Region 4 representative on the AAMVA Finance, Investment, and Audit Committee, and serves as Chair of the AAMVA Law Enforcement Committee. His voice, leadership, and policy experience have amplified law enforcement representation within AAMVA while advancing data-informed roadway safety approaches throughout Region 4 and across the U.S.

Lt. Colonel Bratt has been recognized throughout his career for his outstanding contributions to roadway safety, professional excellence, and leadership impact. His service as a statewide subject matter expert, data-driven strategist, and senior executive leader within the Colorado State Patrol has resulted in multiple honors from law enforcement organizations, public safety associations, and partner agencies throughout his 40-year career. He has served as a member of Colorado’s Statewide Traffic Records Advisory Council as well as a board member and president of the Colorado Law Enforcement Memorial.  Additionally, he has held multiple elected leadership positions within professional safety organizations, including serving as AAMVA Region 4 President, which demonstrates peer-recognized leadership and influence in national roadway safety advancements.