New Year’s Eve Weekend enforcement period begins Thursday: Victims of impaired driving crashes share their stories
News Release
Statewide — Don’t drop the ball this New Year’s Eve — make a plan and choose a sober ride. From Dec. 26 to Jan. 2, the Colorado Department of Transportation will support the Colorado State Patrol (CSP) and 68 local law enforcement agencies for The Heat Is On New Year’s Eve Weekend DUI enforcement period. Drivers may see saturation patrols, sobriety checkpoints and additional law enforcement officers on duty to remove impaired drivers from Colorado’s roads.
Get your ride credits
To encourage safe rides and help prevent impaired driving this holiday season, Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD) Colorado and Uber have partnered to provide $7 ride credits. Valid statewide, ride credits can be redeemed using code SAFECO24 in the Uber app starting Dec. 25 through Jan. 1, 2025, while supplies last. Additionally, MADD National has partnered with Uber to raise funds during Impaired Driving Prevention Month. Read more about the donation campaign here. Plan a safe ride home this New Year’s Eve. Everyone deserves to see 2025.
Learn from victim stories
To highlight the impact of crashes involving drunk and drugged crashes, CDOT interviewed Coloradans who have lost family members due to impaired driving. Amanda Holland lost her husband, Curt Holland, in 2022 due to an impaired motorist driving over 3.5 times the legal limit. Howard and Polli Small lost their son, Ethan Small, to a drunk and drugged driver in 2019. Tami DePalma lost her son, Dominic Depalma, in 2022 and has founded “Do It for Dominic D.” in honor of her son. To access the media kit with interviews from these impaired driving victims and Colorado State Patrol, email [email protected].
Email [email protected] to download graphic.
“As we approach the end of a long year and celebrate with family and friends, it’s important that we all get home safely to enjoy the New Year. As you join in gatherings and festivities, we ask that you please plan ahead for a safe and sober ride home,” said Rebecca Green, State Executive Director of MADD Colorado and Wyoming. “Leaving your vehicle at home ensures that you don’t have to wonder if you’re OK to drive. Uber will do the work for you. While we anticipate that there will be more crashes over the holiday and are prepared to support those who need MADD, it is our hope that we all pitch in to eliminate the possibility of injury and loss and plan ahead to leave the driving to others. Together we can end impaired driving.”
To date in 2024, 190 people have died on Colorado roads due to impaired drivers, 30% of all traffic fatalities this year. Impaired driving-related fatalities are preventable. Never get behind the wheel if you’ve been drinking.
“The heat is on this New Year’s Eve, Colorado. Law enforcement across the state will remove impaired drivers from the road and encourage motorists to start 2025 safely,” said Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “Before heading out to a bar or party this holiday, take a minute to make a plan. It could save your life. It could save a loved one’s life. Choose a sober ride every time.”
Last year’s New Year’s Eve Weekend enforcement period concluded with 239 reported DUI arrests across the state. Throughout all enforcement periods this year alone, there have been 6,307 DUI arrests. CDOT is currently supporting CSP and 80 law enforcement agencies for the Holiday Parties DUI enforcement period, which began on Dec. 12. This enforcement period will take place through Dec. 25.
“This time of year is particularly dangerous for Colorado drivers since alcohol and cannabis consumption often go hand in hand during New Year’s Eve celebrations,” said CDOT’s Office of Transportation Safety Director Darrell Lingk. “Whatever your plans are to ring in the new year, don’t get behind the wheel if you’re under the influence. Your choices matter when it comes to responsibility.”
If you plan to host a party, make sure your guests stay safe by following the tips below:
- Collect your guests’ car keys upon arrival, or encourage them to designate a sober driver or use a rideshare service, taxi or public transportation.
- Call a friend or family member for a guest if they have been drinking or offer them a place to stay if a sober ride home is unavailable.
- Stop serving alcohol at least two hours before the party is over. Provide plenty of food and non-alcoholic drink options.
- Be persistent if a guest is intoxicated and planning to drive home. Explain that you care about their safety and cannot let them get behind the wheel.
- Remember, as a host, you could be held liable if a guest you serve alcohol to gets in a crash.
If you’ll be in the driver’s seat this holiday season, keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel. On Jan. 1, 2025, a new law will go into effect in Colorado that prohibits drivers from using a mobile electronic device while driving, though hands-free accessories are permitted. CDOT is urging all drivers to begin practicing hands-free driving now, ensuring they are prepared when the law takes effect.
Following New Year’s Eve Weekend, the next DUI enforcement period will be Winter Blitz from Jan. 9 to 22.
For yearly impaired-driving crash and fatality data in Colorado, visit codot.gov/safety/traffic-safety/data-analysis/fatal-crash-data. For local law enforcement agency plans, visit codot.gov/safety/traffic-safety-reporting-portal.
DUI Checkpoint B-Roll
CDOT is making available new DUI checkpoint footage, available free for media use, offering a compelling glimpse of what happens during a checkpoint. The footage captures real-life interactions between law enforcement officers and drivers at DUI checkpoints, highlighting the consequences of impaired driving. Email [email protected] to access these photos.
Note: The people portrayed in the videos signed participation waivers to be included in filming.
About The Heat Is On
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.
Crash Not Accident
Note to reporters: Crashes are no accident — they are preventable. We would appreciate you saying 'crash' instead of 'accident' when reporting
Know Before You Go
Travelers are urged to “know before you go.” Gather information about weather forecasts and anticipated travel impacts and current road conditions prior to hitting the road. CDOT resources include:
- Road conditions and travel information: COtrip.org
- Download the COtrip Planner app: bit.ly/COtripapp
- Sign up for project or travel alerts: bit.ly/COnewsalerts
- See scheduled construction lane closures: bit.ly/laneclosures
- Connect with @ColoradoDOT on social media: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube
Remember: Slow For The Cone Zone
The following tips are to help you stay safe while traveling through maintenance and construction work zones.
- Do not speed in work zones. Obey the posted speed limits.
- Stay Alert! Expect the unexpected.
- Watch for workers. Drive with caution.
- Don't change lanes unnecessarily.
- Avoid using mobile devices such as phones while driving in work zones.
- Turn on headlights so that workers and other drivers can see you.
- Be especially alert at night while driving in work zones.
- Expect delays, especially during peak travel times.
- Allow ample space between you and the car in front of you.
- Anticipate lane shifts and merge when directed to do so.
- Be patient!
Download the COtrip App!
The new free COtrip Planner mobile app was designed to meet the growing trend of information on mobile and tablet devices for the traveling public. The COtrip Planner app provides statewide, real-time traffic information, and works on mobile devices that operate on the iOS and Android platforms. Visit the Google Play Store (Android devices) or the Apple Store (iOS devices) to download!
