DENVER, CO – The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and statewide law enforcement agencies are reminding Coloradans to celebrate responsibly this St. Patrick’s Day weekend, and not press their luck by getting behind the wheel after drinking alcohol.

The Colorado State Patrol and more than 60 statewide law enforcement agencies will step up Heat is On enforcement efforts against impaired driving with increased patrols, saturation patrols and checkpoints throughout St. Patrick’s Day weekend. The special enforcement kicks off at 6 p.m. on Friday, March 14 and continues through 3 a.m. on Tuesday, March 18.

“Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with a pint glass is an age-old tradition, but the holiday also brings a concentrated rise in drinking and driving,” said Pam Hutton, CDOT Governor’s Representative for Highway Safety. “Law enforcement officers will be cracking down on motorists who press their luck and risk freedom and human life by taking the party onto Colorado roadways this weekend.”

Last year, St. Patrick’s Day fell on a Saturday night and there were five alcohol-related traffic fatalities in Colorado during the three-night special enforcement period. Law enforcement agencies made 363 DUI arrests during the 2007 holiday weekend. In the previous two years, there was one traffic death involving alcohol each year during the evening of St. Patrick’s Day to the early morning hours of the following day.

As part of its public awareness campaign this year, CDOT has partnered with Miss Colorado, Maggie Ireland, to encourage citizens to celebrate responsibly and remind them to secure public transportation or a designated driver to get home safely.

“My name isn’t the only thing that I share with the St. Patrick’s Day tradition,” said Ireland. “My passion for the festivities of the Irish makes this holiday especially important to me, and I’m honored to partner with CDOT to promote responsible decisions that keep Colorado roadways safe and free from tragedy on a joyful day. If you're heading to the pubs, make the smart decision in advance to line up a sober designated driver, take a bus, or hail a cab.”

"Our worst roadblock in the fight against drunk driving is the apparent social acceptance of it, especially during a holiday weekend that promotes drinking," said Colonel Mark Trostel, Chief of the Colorado State Patrol. "Driving drunk is a crime and the CSP and local law enforcement will be working overtime to ensure that our roadways are safe. We salute those of you that don't drink and drive. Saving lives is our top priority and we need everyone's help to do it. And, always remember to buckle up yourself and your passengers." To report drunk drivers you can call "Star CSP" -- *277, a free cell phone call.

The Colorado State Patrol and more than 60 police and sheriff’s departments receiving Law Enforcement Assistance Fund (LEAF) grants have filed their enforcement plans for the upcoming weekend.