The governors of Colorado and Minnesota each signed legislation last month tightening their state’s standard for drunken driving to 0.08 percent blood-alcohol concentration.

The laws lowering the threshold for motorists from the current 0.10 percent will become effective July 1 in Colorado and in August 2005 for Minnesota.

Passage of the lower standard brings both states into compliance with a federal decree that states adopt the lower limit or lose federal highway dollars.

Delaware is the only state yet to conform to the federal mandate. New Jersey and West Virginia lowered their limits earlier this year.

Holdouts had until last year to pass the lower limit, after which they began losing road money. Colorado Gov. Bill Owens and Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty will each see their states get the money the federal government withheld as soon as the new laws take effect. But the money will not earn interest.

Colorado’s previous refusal to adhere to the standard cost the state $4.9 million in highway dollars when lawmakers ignored the Oct. 1, 2003, deadline, according to a published report. Minnesota sacrificed $6.6 million.