DENVER — The Colorado Department of Transportation, Colorado State Patrol and 70 local law enforcement agencies will conduct a Halloween DUI enforcement period from Thursday, Oct. 26. to Wednesday, Nov. 1.
During the seven-day DUI enforcement period, increased patrols will be present statewide to remove impaired drivers from Colorado roadways.
According to CDOT, in 2022, there were 134 impaired driving arrests during the Halloween enforcement period. To date, there have been 4,258 DUI arrests during holiday and special event enforcement periods in 2023. Additionally, there have been 169 roadway fatalities from crashes involving an impaired driver this year.
“Don't ruin your holiday or all the ones coming soon by changing the direction of your life with a DUI," Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol, said in a release. "If the thought of risking the lives of others isn't a motivator to stop driving intoxicated, the cost and inconvenience of a DUI could be. Plan a safe ride before you start, it's poor choices, like driving impaired, that can haunt you. Take responsibility.”
“Planning a sober ride ahead of any holiday festivities is simple and effective,” CDOT Office of Transportation Safety Director Darrell Lingk said. “With all the resources at our disposal to call a safe ride, there’s never an excuse to drive under the influence.”
Penalties for first-time DUI offenders are determined by the court and may vary, but could cost a person an average of $13,530 and a minimum of 170 hours of their time dealing with the consequences. According to NoDUIColorado.org, offenders could rack up these costs in addition to any criminal fines:
- Increased auto insurance: $3,600
- Ignition interlock service: $2,172
- Alcohol/drug treatment and education: $1,000
- Defense attorney: $3,650
- Arrest, court and legal fees: $2,300
- Department of Revenue and DMV fees: $773
So far, data shows that the recent Fall Festivals enforcement period concluded with more than 320 DUI arrests across 78 participating law enforcement agencies. The agencies with the highest number of arrests were Larimer County Sheriff’s Office (48), Fort Collins Police Department (47) and Colorado Springs Police Department (43).
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