Law enforcement agencies across Colorado are joining a nationwide DUI crackdown that will last through the Labor Day holiday, reports the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). The stepped up Heat is On enforcement begins at 6 p.m. on Friday, August 17 and continues until 3 a.m. on Tuesday, September 4.

Last year, between August 17 and September 4, 18 people died in alcohol-related traffic crashes in Colorado – an average of one person killed each day.

“End-of-summer celebrations, in combination with drinking and driving, make this a very dangerous time of year on Colorado roadways,” said Pamela Hutton, CDOT Governor’s Representative for Highway Safety. “With more people expected on our highways leading up to Labor Day, law enforcement officers will be out in force to get drunk drivers off our roads to save lives.”

In 2006, 217 people died in alcohol-related traffic crashes in Colorado. Three-quarter of those killed were men and nearly one in six were riding motorcycles. Seventeen percent of victims were under age 21.

"Drunk driving is the number one killer on Colorado's highways," said Colonel Mark Trostel, Chief of the Colorado State Patrol. "Law enforcement agencies have been working together since Memorial Day weekend to increase DUI enforcement and protect citizens from this deadly crime. We're at the point with public information and education where every motorist should know that they shouldn't drink and drive. If you're celebrating with alcohol, have a designated driver or line up other safe, sober transportation. And remember, the best defense against drunk drivers is to buckle up yourself and your passengers."

During last year’s national crackdown, Colorado law enforcement agencies made 1,969 DUI arrests. DUI violators often face jail time, loss of their driver’s license, alcohol-treatment classes and other expenses that can exceed $10,000.

The Colorado State Patrol will conduct saturation patrols around the state and assist local law enforcement agencies with their DUI enforcement efforts. Plans have been filed by 67 agencies, including Park County, for increased patrols and saturation patrols during the enforcement period.