Today CDOT will be at Argonaut Liquor to curtail drunk driving

DENVER – Calling all party people! If you’re hosting a holiday gathering this December, the Colorado Department of Transportation and Uber have a gift for you. CDOT recently launched the “Ultimate Party Host” campaign, in partnership with Uber, to help prevent impaired driving by offering $15 ride credits to get home safely from holiday gatherings. Thanks to all who celebrated responsibly, the response exceeded our expectations and the promotion reached its limit.

Luckily, CDOT will make a limited number of Uber ride credits available this Friday at Argonaut Wine & Liquor for in-store customers. The new code will be promoted at the store for customers to claim in the Promotions section of the Uber wallet in the app. The ride credits, available statewide, are limited to one use per person and valid only while supplies last. The credits must be redeemed from 5 p.m. - 5 a.m. by Jan. 3, 2022.

WHAT: Pop-up event at Argonaut Wine & Liquor

WHEN: Friday, Dec. 17, 2-4 p.m.

WHERE: Argonaut Wine & Liquor, 760 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80203

VISUALS:

$15 credit for a ride on the Uber app

Ultimate Party Host campaign booth and banner

Interview Opportunities

Sam Cole, CDOT Communications Manager, Friday, Dec. 17, from 2-3 p.m. at Argonaut Wine & Liquor or via phone or Zoom most other times.

WHY: To date in 2021, there have been 230 impaired-driving fatalities in Colorado, accounting for 36% of the 640 traffic deaths this year. If current trends continue, 2021 will be the deadliest year on Colorado roads since 2004. Fatalities involving an impaired driver are up 15% from last year. More and more Coloradans are mixing alcohol with cannabis or other drugs and getting behind the wheel, a dangerous combination that significantly increases impairment.

In Denver, there were 18 impaired driving fatalities in 2020 (35.3% of 51 total fatalities). This is up from 15 impaired driving fatalities in 2019 (24.6% of 61 total).

Though anyone can use the Ultimate Party Host credit to help stay safe, CDOT is specifically marketing the offer to people who are hosting holiday parties. The campaign is part of a grant CDOT received from the Governor’s Highway Safety Administration (GHSA) to help reduce impaired driving. For additional information about the campaign, visit HeatIsOnColorado.com.

In addition to the Ultimate Party Host campaign, The Heat Is On Holiday Parties DUI enforcement period will occur from Dec. 15 - Dec. 29 to help remove impaired drivers from roadways during the holidays. The New Year’s Eve enforcement period will follow from Dec. 30 - Jan. 2.

The Heat Is On is CDOT’s DUI prevention campaign and runs throughout the year, with specific high-visibility impaired driving enforcement periods centered on national holidays and seasonal happenings. Find more details about the campaign, including impaired driving enforcement plans, arrest totals and safety tips at HeatIsOnColorado.com.