CDOT urges motorcyclists to ride sober to Sturgis Motorcycle Rally - DUI enforcement period begins today

News Release

Aug. 6, 2026 - Colorado - 20+ supporting agencies to patrol for impaired driving

CDOT pide a los motociclistas manejar sobrios al rally de Sturgis - La campaña de vigilancia de DUI empieza hoy en español.

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Statewide — From Aug. 6 to 17, the Colorado Department of Transportation will support Colorado State Patrol and 24 local law enforcement agencies for The Heat Is On Sturgis Rally DUI enforcement period. During this time, drivers may see saturation patrols, sobriety checkpoints and additional law enforcement officers on duty dedicated to arresting impaired drivers and riders and keeping Colorado’s roads safe.

“Colorado is a beautiful state with roadways that are scenic, while advanced for motorcycle riding, and we want every rider to be safe on the road,” said Chief of the Colorado State Patrol Col. Matthew C. Packard. “Riding requires your full attention with the best reaction time. If you ride impaired, you increase your chances of crashing, injury or death — and it could land you a DUI. Always make sure you’re sober before starting a ride.”

A data graph showing impaired and non-impaired motorcyclist fatalities from 2021 to 2025.
A data graph showing impaired and non-impaired motorcyclist fatalities from 2021 to 2025. Year 2022: 43 impaired fatalities, 106 non-impaired fatalities. Year 2023: 26 impaired fatalities, 109 non-impaired fatalities. Year 2024: 36 impaired fatalities, 129 non-impaired fatalities. Year 2025: 41 impaired fatalities, 108 non-impaired fatalities. Year 2026: 11 impaired fatalities, 55 non-impaired fatalities.


“Everyone, including motorcyclists, has a responsibility to be safe while riding or driving. This means always riding sober, wearing a helmet and protective gear, and following traffic laws," said CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew. “Don’t let the ride to Sturgis be your last — stay safe on two wheels and ride sober.”

Proper motorcyclist safety gear can be the difference between death and injury in the event of a crash. To best protect yourself on a motorcycle, follow these tips:

  • Always wear a helmet. Helmets remain the primary method of reducing serious injuries and fatalities. Over the last five years, 49% of motorcyclists who died in Colorado were not wearing helmets, according to CDOT’s fatal crash data dashboard.
  • Wear protective gear for every ride: a jacket, gloves and boots. Protective gear protects riders from the pavement and other collisions.
  • Never ride distracted. Put your phone away before starting a ride. No text is worth a crash.

Following the Sturgis Rally enforcement period, the next DUI enforcement period will be the Labor Day Crackdown from Sept. 3 to 9.

About The Heat Is On

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 may include sobriety checkpoints, saturation patrols and additional law enforcement on duty dedicated to arresting impaired drivers. For more details about the campaign, visit HeatIsOnColorado.com. Information about Colorado’s DUI laws can be found at NoDUIColorado.org. Learn more about CDOT’s dedication to keeping Colorado roads safe at codot.gov/safety. Additional materials for the media are available on the CDOT Impaired Driving Media Resources.

Colorado's Expressed Consent Law

Expressed Consent is one of the most misunderstood laws in the state. Drivers should know that refusal to provide a breath or blood test once arrested for a DUI may come with increased consequences. Learn more at codot.gov/choosetotest.

Colorado Fatal Crash Data Dashboard

This dashboard represents the official and most current number of traffic fatalities on Colorado public roadways. Access the Fatal Crash Data dashboard on the CDOT website.