Memorial Day DUI Enforcement Cites 372 Drivers

June 7, 2016 - Traffic Safety - The Heat Is On DUI Enforcement Continues Throughout Summer

STATEWIDE — While Coloradans sought time outside with family and friends over Memorial Day weekend, The Heat Is On DUI enforcement sought to clear roads of impaired drivers as people celebrated summer’s arrival. The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), Colorado State Patrol (CSP) and local law agencies cited 372 impaired drivers over the holiday weekend. These arrests were an increase from the 301 arrests made over Memorial Day weekend in 2015.

“Alcohol-related traffic fatalities is an urgent issue, and one CDOT will always consider a top priority,” said Darrell Lingk, Director of the Office of Transportation Safety at CDOT. “If The Heat Is On enforcement periods can stop even one impaired driver, we consider the enforcement period a success.”

Ninety-nine agencies participated in the increased DUI patrols, with the Denver Police Department (42), Aurora Police Department (37) and Colorado Springs Police Department (24) recording the most DUI citations. CSP cited an additional 83 impaired drivers. 

“Law enforcement traditionally sees a spike of impaired drivers over Memorial Day weekend,” said Col. Scott Hernandez, Chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “People should realize the even a drink or two puts everyone on the road in danger. Anytime you drink and later choose to drive —regardless of the amount — you are taking an unnecessary risk.”

The Heat Is On returns with the Fourth of July enforcement from July 1 to July 5. Checkpoint Colorado — a summer-long enforcement period in which participating law enforcement agencies conduct three DUI checkpoints — remains active until Labor Day.

Colorado Blood-Alcohol Content (BAC) Limits

  • DUI (Driving Under the Influence) — .08 percent or higher
  • DWAI (Driving While Ability Impaired) — .05 percent or higher (but less than .08 percent BAC)

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.