“Border War” Traffic Safety Campaign Coming to US 287

FORT COLLINS — On Saturday, Oct. 1, “Border War” 2016 is coming to Colorado State University. To help ensure that fans traveling back and forth to the game are safe, law enforcement agencies from Colorado and Wyoming will be teaming up as part of a multi-state, multi-agency seat belt, speeding and DUI enforcement operation.

The focus of the enforcement campaign will be a 65 mile stretch of US Highway 287 between Fort Collins and Laramie Wyoming. Parts of I-25 between Cheyenne and Ft Collins will also be patrolled. Agencies will use a saturation patrol to target dangerous drivers. Drug Recognition Experts will be on hand for evaluations of drivers suspected to be under the influence of marijuana and other drugs. Motorists are advised to call law enforcement to report unsafe drivers.

“Law enforcement’s strict operation this weekend will help keep our roads free of impaired and other dangerous drivers,” said Darrell Lingk, director of CDOT's Office of Transportation Safety. "Driving impaired is a choice, and if motorists choose to do so, they will be arrested." 

"We want fans to enjoy the game and have a safe drive between Laramie and Fort Collins before and after the game," said Col. Scott Hernandez, Chief of the Colorado State Patrol. "That means keeping impaired drivers off the road.  We have zero tolerance for drivers who are impaired by alcohol or drugs."

The Colorado law enforcement agencies participating in the Saturday campaign are: The Colorado State Patrol, Colorado State University Police Department, Larimer County Sheriff’s Department, Fort Collins Police Department, Estes Park Police Department, and the Loveland Police Department. The Wyoming agencies participating are: Wyoming Highway Patrol, Laramie Police Department, Albany County Sheriff’s Office, University of Wyoming Police Department, the Laramie County Sheriff’s Office and the Cheyenne Police Department.

According to preliminary data from the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) there have been 30 fatalities on Larimer County roads this year, with six of those fatalities related to alcohol impaired drivers. The CDOT Highway Safety Office provides funding to Colorado law enforcement for impaired driving enforcement, education and awareness campaigns.