Fourth of July DUI enforcement begins Wednesday
News Release
Statewide — The Colorado Department of Transportation will support Colorado State Patrol and 51 local law enforcement agencies for The Heat Is On Fourth of July Weekend DUI enforcement period from July 2 to 7. Drivers may see saturation patrols, sobriety checkpoints and additional law enforcement officers on duty during the six-day enforcement period.
Summer is a busy travel season for Colorado drivers and vacationers. During the 100 Deadliest Days of Summer, the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day, Colorado experiences a notable increase in traffic fatalities. During this timeframe, an average of one in three fatalities involve an impaired driver.
With 28 deaths, last July had the highest number of impaired driving-related fatalities of any month in 2024. Since 2019, July has remained in the top three highest months for traffic crashes involving impairment. There have been 82 impaired driving-related deaths so far this year, a 15% decrease from this same time period in 2024.
Graph is available for download by emailing [email protected].
“Avoid seeing red and blue lights in your rearview mirror this holiday weekend. Make a plan for your Fourth of July festivities and avoid impaired driving at all costs,” said Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “A DUI or impaired driving crash is life-altering. Never put yourself or others at risk.”
To curb impaired-related crashes this Fourth of July weekend, The Wilhite Law Firm will offer Uber and Lyft reimbursement credits as part of its Holiday Rideshare Program. The Rideshare Program will cover a total of $20 for a one-way ride from July 3 to 6.
“Impaired driving is not only illegal and can result in a DUI, but it can also be deadly,” said CDOT’s Office of Transportation Safety Director Darrell Lingk. “Since 2019, 31 people have been killed in crashes involving impaired drivers during the Independence Day holiday period. Prioritize safety this Fourth of July weekend and put down the keys if you’ve been drinking. You could save a life — including your own.”
If you plan to host a party this weekend, make sure your guests stay safe by following the tips below:
- Collect your guests’ car keys upon arrival. Encourage them to designate a sober driver or use a ride-sharing 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 that as a host, you could be held liable if a guest you served alcohol to gets in a crash.
CDOT recently launched a campaign to educate the public on the consequences of refusing a DUI blood or breath test. Under Colorado’s Expressed Consent Law, by driving a vehicle in the state, you automatically consent to a toxicology test following a DUI arrest. Colorado has seen an increase in drivers who refuse a toxicology test in recent years. Refusing a test is illegal, and it hinders efforts to keep Colorado roads safe from impaired drivers. Learn more about the law and consequences for refusing to test at codot.gov/choosetotest.
Preliminary data shows that the recent Summer Blitz DUI enforcement period concluded with 236 arrests across 82 participating agencies. The agencies with the highest arrests were Larimer County Sheriff’s Office (40), Fort Collins Police Department (29) and Thornton Police Department (22). Following Fourth of July Weekend, the next DUI enforcement period will be Sturgis Rally from July 31 to Aug. 12.
DUI Checkpoint B-Roll
CDOT is making 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. Access the footage by emailing [email protected].
**The people portrayed in the videos signed participation waivers to be included in filming.
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 15 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.
