St. Patrick’s Day DUI enforcement period begins across Colorado
Law enforcement agencies across Colorado began a statewide DUI enforcement period March 12 ahead of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
The Colorado Department of Transportation is supporting the Colorado State Patrol and 67 local law enforcement agencies during the enforcement effort, which runs through March 18 as part of the state’s “The Heat Is On” impaired driving campaign.
Drivers may encounter sobriety checkpoints, saturation patrols and additional officers on duty focused on arresting impaired drivers, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation. During the same enforcement period last year, 255 people were arrested for suspected impaired driving.
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In 2022, 74 people nationwide died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes during the St. Patrick’s Day holiday, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In Colorado, Colorado State Patrol troopers investigated 17 crashes involving an impaired driver over the holiday weekend last year.
State transportation and safety officials gathered Thursday at the Colorado State Capitol in Denver with representatives from the Colorado State Patrol, AAA Colorado and Mothers Against Drunk Driving to encourage motorists to plan a sober ride before celebrating.
Among those attending was Clara Shelton, whose brother, Sam Shelton, was killed by a drunk driver in 2016. Victims, survivors and safety advocates spoke about the long-term consequences of impaired driving.
“Luck isn’t a safety plan. We saw a tragic increase in impaired driving fatalities last year, and we refuse to let St. Patrick’s Day celebrations add to that number,” said Colorado State Patrol Chief Colonel Matthew C. Packard. “Troopers will be out in force to remove dangerous drivers from our roads. Before you take your first sip, make a plan. Use a rideshare, take public transit, or call a sober friend. There is no excuse for risking a life.”
Colorado Department of Transportation Executive Director Shoshana Lew said drivers should plan ahead before drinking.
“We want all Colorado drivers to get home safely this weekend,” Lew said. “Remember, even one drink can impair driving ability and sobering up can take much longer than people expect. Don’t test your luck — drive sober.”
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To encourage the use of rideshare services, Mothers Against Drunk Driving and AAA Colorado are offering an $8 Uber ride discount for Denver-area riders. The code LuckyDenver26 provides $8 off rides between 1:00 a.m. March 14 and 6:00 a.m. March 15 within the Denver metro area. The code must be applied in the Uber app before requesting the trip and is valid for one use.
“MADD is proud to be at the Capitol alongside victims and survivors of impaired driving crashes as we work to make Colorado’s roads safer. We are making progress, but ending impaired driving requires everyone’s effort,” said Mothers Against Drunk Driving Colorado Executive Director Rebecca Green. “Take a minute to plan a sober ride home this St. Patrick’s Day. You can celebrate and save a life at the same time.”
AAA Regional Director Skyler McKinley also encouraged drivers to arrange transportation before drinking.
“We know that folks are going to drink over the St. Patrick’s Day holiday. There are ways to do it safely, and it’s up to all of us to make smart decisions,” McKinley said. “The best thing you can do is arrange a sober ride home before heading out.”
Colorado recorded an increase in impaired driving deaths in 2025, with fatalities rising 10 percent from 2024 to reach a three-year high, according to state officials.
The next statewide DUI enforcement period is scheduled for April 17 through April 22 as part of the Spring Eventsenforcement campaign.
- More information about Colorado’s impaired driving enforcement program is available at https://www.HeatIsOnColorado.com.
- Information about Colorado DUI laws is available at https://www.NoDUIColorado.org.
- Additional road safety resources from the Colorado Department of Transportation are available at https://www.codot.gov/safety.
- Drivers can learn more about Colorado’s Expressed Consent law at https://www.codot.gov/choosetotest.
