Media Resources

Campaign Purpose

Impaired driving remains a leading cause of deaths on Colorado roadways. On average, 1 in 3 fatal crashes involves an impaired driver. In 2024, there were 214 impaired driving-related fatalities in the state, accounting for over 30% of all traffic deaths that year. Every death due to an impaired driver is — and always will be — entirely preventable.

Shift into Safe

Shift into Safe is the name of the Colorado Department of Transportation’s traffic safety brand. Its mission is to encourage all people in Colorado to adopt safe driving behaviors to reduce — and eventually eliminate — traffic deaths. Driven by science and inspired by Colorado, Shift into Safe is determined to make an impact on our roads to save lives, one driver at a time.

The Heat Is On

The CDOT Highway Safety Office provides funding to Colorado law enforcement for impaired-driving enforcement, as well as education and awareness campaigns. The Heat Is On campaign runs year-round, 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.

By the Numbers 

• Since 2020, there have been more than 1,300 impaired driving-related crash fatalities in Colorado. In 2022, the state saw its highest number ever recorded with 286 total fatalities caused by impaired drivers.
• In 2024, there were 214 impaired driving-related fatalities in the state.
• In 2024, 30% of all traffic deaths involved an impaired driver.
• In 2023, 33% of drivers involved in fatal crashes tested positive for impairment on multiple drugs (including alcohol).

Access the Fatal Crash Data dashboard here.

Words Matter

Crash, Not Accident

When reporting on traffic crashes, words matter. Crashes are preventable — calling them "accidents" implies they're unavoidable. Please use "crash" in your reporting to help shape how people think about safety on the road.

At-Fault Language

Please avoid phrasing that places unintended blame on victims. For example, “A pedestrian was hit and killed by a car” puts the pedestrian as the subject and can create the perception that they were at fault. Instead, “A driver hit and killed a pedestrian” reflects who was responsible for the action, reinforces accountability and helps prevent unintended victim blaming. 

Expressed Consent

Colorado’s Expressed Consent Law requires drivers arrested for a DUI to submit to a blood or breath test. It is one of the state’s most misunderstood traffic laws. Refusing the test comes with severe consequences. Learn more about Colorado’s Expressed Consent Law here.

Photo and Video Resources

• "The Long Road: Navigating a DUI Arrest" CDOT Video Series
• DUI Checkpoint B-Roll Footage
• Colorado State Patrol Image Library
• The Heat Is On Enforcement Period Social Media Graphics
• CDOT Logo
• The Heat Is On Campaign Logo

Additional Media Resources

• CDOT Media Room
• Partner Toolkit Resource Library
• CDOT Partners:
• AAA
• MADD Colorado
• NoDUI Colorado
• Colorado Task Force on Drunk and Impaired Driving
• CDOT Drugged Driving Webpage
• CDOT Natural Medicine Webpage (Psychedelics) 
• Colorado Toxicology Data

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.

Impaired Driving News