The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is urging people to plan for a sober ride home during Halloween weekend. The agency will support the Colorado State Patrol and 67 local law enforcement agencies from October 31 to November 3 as part of “The Heat Is On” DUI enforcement period. This initiative includes saturation patrols, sobriety checkpoints, and additional officers on duty to target impaired drivers.
To reduce impairment-related crashes, Uber and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) are offering an $8 discount for rides using the Uber Voucher code SPOOKYCO25 in the app. The discount is available for one-time use within the Denver metro area between October 30 and November 3.
“Colorado motorists have the responsibility to drive sober, and Colorado law enforcement has the responsibility to remove impaired drivers from the road. Planning a sober ride ahead of any holiday event is the best way to avoid a DUI or crash,” said Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “This Halloween, leave the keys behind if you’ll be consuming alcohol or cannabis. It’s always better to call a sober friend or use a rideshare service than put yourself and other Coloradans at risk.”
Last year’s Halloween Weekend enforcement period ended with 196 reported DUI arrests in Colorado. So far this year, there have been over 11,000 DUI arrests statewide, along with 172 fatalities related to impaired driving.
“Ensure a sober ride home is part of your Halloween weekend plans and never get behind the wheel impaired,” said CDOT’s Office of Transportation Safety Director Darrell Lingk. “The consequences of a DUI will haunt you — the average cost of a DUI is $13,530 and dealing with the crime will take up hours of your time. Don’t make excuses and don’t take the risk.”
Authorities emphasize that roadway safety requires cooperation from everyone; friends and family members should prevent each other from driving under the influence. Party hosts are encouraged to help guests stay safe by promoting alternatives to driving after drinking or using drugs.
Under Colorado’s Expressed Consent Law, all drivers automatically agree to toxicology testing if arrested for DUI. Refusing such tests is illegal and has become more common in recent years, complicating efforts to keep roads safe from impaired drivers. More information about this law can be found at codot.gov/choosetotest.
Recent data shows that during the Fall Festivals DUI enforcement period, there were 487 arrests across 77 participating agencies in Colorado. Larimer County Sheriff’s Office made 58 arrests, Fort Collins Police Department had 54, and Thornton Police Department reported 48 arrests. The next scheduled DUI enforcement effort will occur during Thanksgiving Week from November 20 through December 3.
CDOT has also released new footage showing real-life interactions between officers and drivers at DUI checkpoints for media use; interested parties can request access by emailing [email protected].
