Border Wars football game runner safety

On Friday, Nov. 15, Colorado Law Enforcement Liaison (LEL) Lee Birk and Wyoming LEL Pete Abrams collaborated with law enforcement agencies from both states to prioritize pedestrian and runner safety along Highway 287 during the annual "Boot Run" for the Border War football game between Colorado State University and the University of Wyoming. The running of the "Bronze Boot" — the Border War trophy — took place on Thursday, Nov. 14, with ROTC members from both schools completing the 62-mile journey from Laramie to Fort Collins via Highway 287.

Wyoming ROTC runners carried the boot to the Colorado/Wyoming state line, where it was ceremonially handed off to Colorado State University ROTC runners, who completed the final stretch to Fort Collins.

In addition to ensuring safety along the route, LELs Birk and Abrams coordinated with their respective law enforcement agencies to implement enhanced impaired driving enforcement efforts. These efforts targeted potential impaired drivers traveling to and from the game on the day of and into the evening. Colorado agencies focused on Highway 287, while Wyoming agencies monitored both Highway 287 and I-80.

Participating Colorado agencies included the Colorado State Patrol (CSP), Larimer County Sheriff’s Office, Fort Collins Police Department, Loveland Police Department, and CSU Police Department. CSP Troop 3C and the CSP Statewide DUI Team also played a critical role in the enforcement initiative.