DUI enforcement ramps up across the state as the 100 Deadliest Days continue
News Release
Statewide — From June 5 to 18, the Colorado Department of Transportation will support the Colorado State Patrol and 74 local law enforcement agencies for The Heat Is On Summer Blitz DUI enforcement period. During the 14-day enforcement period, drivers may see saturation patrols, sobriety checkpoints and additional law enforcement officers on duty dedicated to arresting impaired drivers.
“Colorado summers are meant to be memorable for the right reasons, not because you got a DUI,” said Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “Remember that DUIs carry serious consequences like jail time, fines, license suspension and more. Colorado State Patrol remains dedicated to removing impaired drivers from Colorado roads this summer.”
The period between Memorial Day and Labor Day — known as the 100 Deadliest Days of Summer — historically sees a spike in roadway crashes and fatalities across the state. During the 100 Deadliest Days period in 2024, 221 people were killed on Colorado roads, and about one-third of those fatal crashes involved an impaired driver. Last year, there were 3,325 serious injuries on Colorado roads — and more than half (55%) occurred between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
“Enjoy your summer responsibly and make safety a priority,” said CDOT’s Office of Transportation Safety Director Darrell Lingk. “If you’ve been drinking, use a ride-share service, taxi or public transit. Hold your friends and family accountable and never let them drive under the influence.”
In May, CDOT 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. Not only is refusing a test illegal, but it also hinders efforts to keep our roads safe from impaired drivers. For more information, visit codot.gov/choosetotest.
Although most Coloradans choose to never drive impaired, there were over 16,000 DUI arrests in 2024. Preliminary data shows that the recent Memorial Day Weekend DUI enforcement period concluded with 170 arrests across 85 participating agencies. The agencies with the highest arrests were Fountain Police Department (17), Fort Collins Police Department (16) and Loveland Police Department (9). Colorado State Patrol reported 57 arrests. Following Summer Blitz, the next DUI enforcement period will be 4th of July from July 2 to 7.
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. You can find more about these photos by contacting [email protected] to get access to the CDIOT DUI Checkpoint B-Roll Google Drive folder. 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.
