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Steamboat Springs — The Steamboat Springs High School juniors and seniors parked on campus or driving around town during lunch earned those privileges.

Juniors and seniors interested in obtaining those privileges or seniors interested in retaining them must complete the Alive-at-25 defensive driving class.

The class, a 4.5-hour classroom session for first-timers or a two-hour refresher course for seniors, is a state-sponsored initiative required for a student to apply for a parking permit and open campus privileges.

"We talk about safety. We talk about distractions. We talk about how much insurance costs go up (if you are in an accident or get a ticket)," campus supervisor Dennis Hensen said. "Some insurance companies offer deductions for taking this class."

Hensen and resource officer Deb Funston are the course instructors.

Taking the class allows teenagers to obtain their Colorado Temporary Instruction Permit, or learner's permit, by age 15 1/2.

But drivers must have their learner's permit for a full year before being eligible for a driver's license.

The next Alive-at-25 class for first-timers is 4 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Steamboat Springs Community Center.

The cost is $30 to pre-register for the introductory course. It is $40 on the day of the course.

The refresher course, also a requirement, is free. The next session is from 3 to 5 p.m. Monday at the high school.

The classes are open to everyone between the ages of 15 and 25, and Hensen said juveniles who receive a ticket are required to come to this type of class.

Often, older drivers are court-ordered to attend because of outstanding tickets.

When that happens, Hensen said he uses the older students with more driving experience as examples.

People can sign up for any class by calling Hensen at 871-3685, by e-mailing him at dhensen@sssd.k12.co.us or by stopping by the high school office.