Denver – According to preliminary reports, law enforcement agencies across Colorado have made 983 DUI arrests since joining the national DUI crackdown that began Aug. 21st. The number of DUI arrests is expected to increase significantly this Labor Day Weekend as DUI enforcement intensifies with a dozen sobriety checkpoints, increased patrols and saturation patrols throughout the state. The national crackdown and the state’s “100 Days of Heat” campaign end at 3 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 8th.

“Thousands of travelers will be on Colorado roadways this holiday weekend, and we’ll do our part to keep them safe by removing dangerous drivers from our roadways, including those who commit a crime by driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs,” said Col. James Wolfinbarger, chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “The public can help by reporting suspected drunk drivers by dialing *CSP on their cell phone or calling 911. Don’t let anyone get behind the wheel if they’ve been drinking. Also, make sure to plan ahead before drinking alcohol by designating a sober driver.”

Since the “100 days of Heat” campaign kicked off on Memorial Day Weekend, statewide law enforcement agencies have made more than 2,541 DUI arrests during special enforcement periods, including 484 arrests made at sobriety checkpoints. The Colorado Department of Transportation credits the “100 Days of Heat” DUI enforcement for a 50 percent drop in alcohol-related fatalities this summer. Preliminary data indicates that 30 people have been killed in alcohol-related crashes since May 22nd, compared to 58 people during the same time-period last year.

“We believe that the intensive high-visibility DUI enforcement this summer has stopped people from making the critical mistake of drinking and driving,” said Michael Nugent, manager of CDOT’s Office of Transportation Safety. “We hope that the traveling public continues to make good choices so that we have a record-low number of people killed needlessly by impaired drivers in Colorado this year.”

One of the largest events taking place in the state during the holiday weekend will be the Rocky Mountain Showdown football game between the University of Colorado and Colorado State University in Boulder on Sunday, Sept. 6th. Both universities are making a commitment to support a safety message to remind fans not to drink and drive. CU Coach Dan Hawkins and CSU Coach Steve Fairchild will appear in a video public service announcement on the video board inside Folsom Field, reminding fans to make the responsible choice. Law enforcement agencies in Boulder and Larimer counties will also be increasing DUI enforcement before, during and after the game. Also, the Larimer County DUI Task Force plans to hold a sobriety checkpoint on Sunday.

The Colorado State Patrol and 56 law enforcement agencies receiving LEAF (Law Enforcement Assistance Fund) grants have filed plans to conduct increased patrols and saturation patrols throughout the long holiday weekend.