CDOT reminds motorists that The Heat Is On this summer

The first official day of summer is approaching and heat is in the forecast. CDOT, Colorado State Patrol and local law enforcement agencies kicked off the Summer Blitz DUI enforcement period Friday, June 11. Increased enforcement will continue through Monday, June 21.

Despite lower traffic volumes in 2020, there were 18 impaired-driving crashes and 20 impaired-driving fatalities in Colorado last June. In fact, for the past five years, the month with the highest number of fatal crashes involving an impaired driver has been either June, July or August. With more cars on roadways this summer, every motorist must remain accountable for their behavior behind the wheel. Ninety-one law enforcement agencies arrested 407 impaired drivers during last year’s Summer Blitz DUI enforcement. This year, participating agencies will have increased DUI patrols on duty statewide to remove impaired drivers from the roads.

During the recent Memorial Day DUI enforcement, 95 agencies arrested 213 impaired drivers. This is a decrease from last year’s 232 arrests during the same enforcement period. The Colorado Springs Police Department (24 arrests), Denver Police Department (16 arrests), and the El Paso County’s Sheriff’s Office (18 arrests) recorded the highest number of arrests during the enforcement. The Colorado State Patrol made 18 arrests. Local law enforcement agency plans and arrest results across the state can be found at https://www.codot.gov/safety/traffic-safety-reporting-portal. 

*2021 DUI arrest data reported as of June 14