State’s First Thanksgiving DUI Crackdown
Kicks Off Holiday Season Enforcement

DENVER – The Colorado State Patrol and 51 law enforcement agencies across the state are conducting the state’s first Thanksgiving week DUI crackdown. The special “Heat Is On” enforcement period officially begins at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 24 and continues until 3 a.m. Monday, Nov. 30th. It is the first of three DUI enforcement periods between now and New Year’s.

Last year seven people were killed in alcohol-related crashes in Colorado during Thanksgiving week, which represented more than one-third of all motor vehicle fatalities during that time period.

“The entire state will have much more to be thankful for this year if we can make it through Thanksgiving week without having to make a single DUI arrest,” said Col. James Wolfinbarger, chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “We encourage everyone to make the right choice this holiday season by not drinking and driving, so that everyone can enjoy the holidays with their friends and family.”

Law enforcement agencies and the Colorado State Patrol have filed plans for Thanksgiving DUI enforcement.

The Thanksgiving travel period is also an important time to remind travelers to wear their seat belts and make sure children are properly restrained in the appropriate child safety seat. More than 60 percent of people killed in traffic crashes over Thanksgiving week in Colorado last year were not buckled up.