DUI Enforcement Coming to Hwy. 287 and I-25 for CSU Game on Friday

Fort Collins — On Friday Nov. 3, the annual rivalry game between the Colorado State University Rams and the University of Wyoming Cowboys takes place in Laramie at 6 p.m. 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 DUI enforcement operation on I-25 and US 287 in Colorado.

Ahead of the game this year law enforcement are working to get out the safe driving message with this public service announcement:

“The Bronze Boot is on its way to Laramie! No matter which team you’re rooting for, winners always plan a sober rider. Colorado and Wyoming law enforcement are joining forces to keep our roads safe. Don’t risk a DUI — plan ahead and stay safe.”

One third of fatal crashes in Colorado involve an impaired driver. According to preliminary data from the Colorado Department of Transportation, there have been 33 fatalities on Larimer County roads this year and 11 of those fatalities involved impaired drivers.

Coordinated enforcement efforts will take place in Albany County and Laramie County in Wyoming as well as Larimer County in Colorado. The high visibility campaign will occur before, during and after the game.

The focus of the enforcement will be a 65 mile stretch of US 287 between Ft. Collins and Laramie Wyoming. I-25 between Cheyenne and Ft Collins will also be patrolled. Agencies will use saturation patrols to target dangerous drivers under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.

Motorists are advised to call law enforcement, such as *277 for Colorado State Patrol, to report unsafe drivers.

"This rivalry matchup always brings out the crowds, and that also means law enforcement to ensure safety isn't forgotten on our roadways,” said Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “Whether you prefer green and gold or brown and gold, we all need to be on the same sober team when driving. Let's enjoy a great game and get home safely from this year's Border War game.”

Agencies involved from Colorado include the Colorado State Patrol, Larimer County Sheriff’s Office, Fort Collins Police Department, Colorado State University Police Department, Estes Park Police Department, Weld County Sheriff’s Office, and the Loveland Police Department. Agencies involved from Wyoming include the Wyoming Highway Patrol, Laramie Police Department, Albany County Sheriff’s Office, University of Wyoming Police Department, Laramie County Sheriff’s Office, and Cheyenne Police Department.

“In Colorado, we will obviously be rooting for the Rams, but no matter which team you back, we all hope for a fun, safe night,” said Darrell Lingk, Director of the CDOT’s Highway Safety Office. “So, let's prioritize safety and make the right choice of having a sober driver for your journey to and from the game.”

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

For yearly impaired-driving crash and fatality data in Colorado, visit https://www.codot.gov/safety/traffic-safety/crash-data-management/fatal-crash-data. Information about DUI laws in Colorado can be found at NoDUIColorado.org.

About The Heat Is On

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.