Super Bowl DUI enforcement intercepts 175 impaired drivers

Football fans statewide tuned in to watch the Tampa Bay Buccaneers win the Super Bowl, but the day wasn’t a celebration for the 175 Coloradans arrested for DUI. From Feb. 5-8, 2021, the Colorado Department of Transportation, Colorado State Patrol and local statewide agencies united for the Super Bowl DUI enforcement period. During the increased patrols, 95 agencies arrested 175 impaired drivers on Colorado roadways. This is an decrease from the 229 arrests made during the same period last year.

“Our increased enforcement efforts are intended to create a heightened awareness of DUI patrols during holidays and events when impaired driving is more likely to occur. We want you to know we are proactively looking for drivers under the influence and that our increased presence encourages you to make a plan so you never drive impaired," said Colorado State Patrol Chief Matthew Packard. “People often think a quick drive home after drinking is the simplest way to end the night, but the consequence of this reckless and selfish choice can be life-changing. Our goal isn’t to make arrests but to save lives from the aftermath of an impaired driving crash.”

The Colorado Springs Police Department (19 arrests), Denver Police Department (16 arrests), and the El Paso Sheriff’s Office (12 arrests) recorded the highest number of arrests during the Super Bowl enforcement period. The Colorado State Patrol made 38 arrests. Results for all law enforcement agencies across the state can be found at https://www.codot.gov/safety/traffic-safety-reporting-portal.

“Everyone traveling in Colorado has somewhere to be and loved ones expecting them to return home safely,” said CDOT Highway Safety Office Director Darrell Lingk. “We cannot allow impaired drivers to disrupt and endanger our roadways, which is why our partnerships with Colorado State Patrol and local law enforcement are imperative in preventing impaired driving crashes.”

Along with enforcement efforts, CDOT’s 2-Hourglass display was installed at Hazel’s Beverage World ahead of Super Bowl weekend as a timely reminder to customers to never drive impaired. The display shows how the only safe time to drive is with a blood-alcohol content (BAC) of zero. The 2-Hourglass will remain on site at Hazel’s through the St. Patrick’s Day enforcement period.

CDOT also partnered with BACtrack®, a leading breathalyzer company, during the Super Bowl weekend to offer Colorado residents a limited-time discount of 30% off a personal breathalyzer from Jan. 25 through Feb. 7. The same discount will be available around St. Patrick’s Day, March 8-21, or while supplies last. Coloradans can purchase their own breathalyzer at codot.bactrack.com.

For more about CDOT’s dedication to keeping Colorado roads safe, including impaired driving enforcement objectives, arrest data and safety information, visit codot.gov/safety.

About the Heat is On Campaign

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 16 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. Find more details about the campaign, including impaired driving enforcement plans, arrest totals and safety tips at HeatIsOnColorado.com. More information about DUI laws in Colorado can be found at NoDUIColorado.org. Learn more about CDOT’s dedication to keeping Colorado roads safe, including impaired driving enforcement objectives, arrest data and safety information at codot.gov/safety.