COLORADO SPRINGS — The Colorado Department of Transportation and Colorado State Patrol announced they will be kicking off their annual Memorial Day DUI enforcement Friday.
"The Heat Is On" high-visibility enforcement period kicks off Friday and ends Tuesday.
Law enforcement wants to remind the community that if you are consuming alcohol or other impairing substances, please find a sober ride home.
“Safety on Colorado’s roadways isn’t just CDOT’s goal – it should be a focus for every single person on the road,” said Shoshana Lew, executive director of CDOT. “Your safety and the safety of those around you are at stake when you drive impaired. All of us want to make it home safely, so don’t jeopardize that by driving impaired.”
During the 2019 Memorial Day weekend DUI enforcement period, law enforcement agencies arrested 323 impaired motorists.
Yet in 2020, CDOT is anticipating lower than normal traffic numbers this Memorial Day weekend due, in part, to safer-at-home directives in many areas of the state.
"Memorial Day is a day to remember military personnel who died while serving the country. It also tends to be associated with increased travel and alcohol consumption due to the long weekend. We want Coloradans to be safe, maintain social distancing practices, and make the decision to never drive impaired," said Colonel Matthew Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol. "Plan ahead for a sober ride if you are celebrating away from home."
"The Heat Is On" will be back with its Summer Blitz DUI enforcement from June 12 through June 22.
