Six Drivers Arrested on Suspicion of DUI During "Border War" Traffic Safety Enforcement

FORT COLLINS—On Saturday, Oct. 1, six drivers were arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence during the "Border War" traffic safety enforcement campaign. The crackdown coincided with the Border War football game at Colorado State University.

To help ensure that fans traveling back and forth to the game were safe, law enforcement agencies from Colorado and Wyoming teamed up as part of a multi-state, multi-agency seat belt, speeding and DUI enforcement operation. Four speeding citations and three seat belt citations were also issued during the enforcement period.

The focus of the campaign was a 65-mile stretch of US Highway 287 between Fort Collins and Laramie, Wyo. Parts of I-25 between Cheyenne and Fort Collins were also be patrolled.

Agencies used saturation patrols to target dangerous drivers. Drug Recognition Experts were on hand for evaluations of drivers suspected to be under the influence of marijuana and other drugs. There were no drug-related arrests reported during the campaign.

"The heavy law enforcement presence during the game between CSU and Wyoming helped keep fans safe," said Darrell Lingk, director of the CDOT's Office of Transportation Safety. "As CDOT works toward zero fatalities on our roadways, we are pleased to support effort like this."

CDOT provides funding to Colorado law enforcement for impaired driving enforcement, education and awareness campaigns.

"This operation was a commendable and unique effort in partnering with our law enforcement neighbors to the north to keep impaired drivers off our roadways," said Col. Scott Hernandez, chief of the Colorado State Patrol. "Our priority was to keep fans and other travelers safe during this peak travel period."

According to preliminary data from CDOT, there have been 33 fatalities on Larimer County roads this year, with six of those fatalities related to impaired drivers.

The Colorado law enforcement agencies participating in the Saturday campaign were: 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 were: 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.