Summer Blitz Enforcement Begins June 16

Baseball, barbecues and warm weather brought Coloradans together to celebrate Memorial Day weekend, and law enforcement across the state was on high alert to keep roads free from impaired drivers. The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), Colorado State Patrol (CSP) and 96 local law enforcement agencies combined efforts for the The Heat Is On Memorial Day DUI enforcement, arresting 331 impaired drivers during the holiday weekend. 

“It’s important that people plan ahead for a sober ride before they drink, not only during the holidays, but year-round,” said Darrell Lingk, Director of the Office of Transportation Safety at CDOT. “It only takes a few drinks to impair your judgment and ability to operate a vehicle. Do yourself a favor and make plans for a sober ride beforehand.”

Among the 96 participating agencies, Colorado Springs Police (33 arrests), Denver Police (32 arrests), and Aurora Police (15 arrests) recorded the highest arrest totals. In addition, the Colorado State Patrol made 48 arrests. Visit bit.ly/HIO to access all arrest results statewide. Arrest data can be sorted by county, law enforcement agency and enforcement period.

“Impaired driving is a matter of life and death,” said Col. Scott Hernandez, Chief of CSP. “Impaired drivers are a threat to the safety of every driver, passenger, pedestrians and bicyclists on Colorado roads. It’s unfortunate 331 drivers chose to drive impaired and put themselves and travelers at risk.”

An average of 77 impaired drivers are arrested in Colorado every day. Beyond the serious safety risks associated with impaired driving, a DUI can cost a person more than $13,500 after considering fines, legal fees and increased insurance costs. Penalties increase for repeat offenders.

The Heat Is On returns for the Summer Blitz enforcement from June 16-26. 

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 12 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. More details about the campaign, including impaired driving enforcement plans, arrest totals and safety tips can be found at HeatIsOnColorado.com.