CDOT’s Spring Events DUI Enforcement Underway

STATEWIDE — As winter fades and warm weather invites Coloradans outside, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), Colorado State Patrol (CSP) and local law enforcement agencies are collaborating under The Heat Is On for the Spring Events DUI enforcement, aiming to curb impaired driving and save lives. The increased DUI enforcement started April 9 and continues through May 15. 70 law enforcement agencies statewide are participating in the crackdown.

About one-third of vehicle fatalities are related to impaired driving each year in Colorado.

The enforcement coincides with annual spring celebrations and festivities — graduations, spring breaks, outdoor festivals and the start of baseball season — where alcohol and other impairing substances are often consumed. Last year’s campaign arrested 1,870 impaired drivers, the second consecutive year arrest numbers from the Spring Events enforcement increased.

“Coloradans have plenty to enjoy during the spring and many events offer attendees alcoholic beverages,” said Darrell Lingk, Director of the CDOT’s Office of Transportation Safety. “So if you choose to partake, only do so if you plan a sober ride home and never risk driving impaired.”

The legal blood-alcohol content (BAC) limit for a DUI in Colorado is .08 percent and .05 percent for Driving While Ability Impaired (DWAI).  Consequences could include jail time, fines and/or loss of driver’s license.

“With the warmer weather and longer days, we notice people tend to drive faster and for longer distances,” said Col. Scott Hernandez, Chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “It’s our continual goal to keep Colorado’s roads safe and prevent a impaired driving crashes from occurring.  The spring enforcement period highlights this goal and should remind motorists to always have a plan to arrive at their destination safely."

To reach Colorado baseball fans, CDOT will post DUI awareness posters in Coors Field restrooms and present public service announcement (PSA) videos on the Jumbotron before Colorado Rockies games this season. The PSA’s feature Rockies players reminding fans to enjoy the game responsibly and detail the consequences of a DUI arrest in both English and Spanish. 

The CDOT Highway Safety Office provides funding to Colorado law enforcement for impaired driving enforcement, education and awareness campaigns. The Heat Is On campaign runs throughout the year with 12 specific high visibility impaired driving enforcement periods centered on national holidays and large public events. Enforcement periods can include sobriety checkpoints, saturation patrols and additional law enforcement on duty dedicated to impaired driving enforcement. More details about the campaign, including impaired driving enforcement plans, arrest totals and safety tips can be found at HeatIsOnColorado.com.