Labor Day DUI Enforcement Yields 1,103 Impairment Citations

The quest to keep Colorado's roads safe and clear of impaired drivers continued throughout September. Statewide law enforcement agencies cited 1,103 people for impaired driving during the Labor Day DUI enforcement period, which ran from Aug. 18 through Sept. 5. This number represents an increase from the same period last year, which reported 964 DUI arrests. As fall brings football games, tailgates and beer festivals, and other events traditionally linked to alcohol consumption, CDOT and Colorado State Patrol (CSP) launched a five-week Fall Festivals DUI enforcement period. This enforcement period started Friday, Sept. 15, and continues through Oct. 23. Last year, 1,498 drivers were arrested for DUI during the fall enforcement period. 

CDOT also completed the 2017 Breathalyzer Program at the end of September. Working with BACtrack, CDOT equipped 475 first-time DUI offenders with smartphone breathalyzers to determine if they are an effective tool in helping people make responsible decisions while drinking to avoid driving impaired. Participants completed two surveys throughout the summer to gauge their change in behavior while using the breathalyzers. CDOT is currently reviewing the surveys and evaluating the results.