Don’t get spooked by a DUI: Halloween Weekend DUI enforcement period begins tomorrow

News Release

No busque que lo espanten con una multa de DUI: La campaña de vigilancia de conductores ebrios o drogados del fin de semana de Halloween empieza mañana en español.

Statewide - The Colorado Department of Transportation will support Colorado State Patrol and 17 local law enforcement agencies for The Heat Is On Halloween Weekend Driving Under the Influence (DUI) enforcement period from Oct. 28 to Nov. 3. During this time, drivers may see saturation patrols, sobriety checkpoints and additional law enforcement officers on duty dedicated to arresting impaired drivers and keeping Colorado's roads safe.

Last year, three fatal crashes involving impaired driving occurred on Halloween, marking the holiday as one of the deadliest impaired driving events in 2025. CDOT urges all drivers to arrange a sober ride home before celebrating over the holiday weekend.

"Autumn in Colorado is special. There are endless festivals, football games and Halloween, which also makes it one of the most prominent times of the year for drinking outside the home. In October 2025, 1,427 DUI arrests were made," said Chief of the Colorado State Patrol Col. Matthew C. Packard. "Always make a plan before drinking and encourage loved ones to do the same; you could save their life."

Alcohol, cannabis and other substances impair your ability to drive. Using cannabis with alcohol or other drugs is called polyconsumption and it can enhance the effects of each drug. Polyconsuming can affect reaction time, problem-solving skills, coordination and perception of time.

"All impairing substances, including alcohol and cannabis, affect your ability to drive safely and can lead to a crash, DUI or fatality," said CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew. "This Halloween, choose a sober ride and never drive after consuming any impairing substance."

Sober ride options include:

• Planning a route home using public transportation
• Arranging a designated sober driver
• Calling a sober friend or family member to pick you up
• Ordering a ride-share vehicle, such as Uber or Lyft

Following Halloween Weekend, the next DUI enforcement period will be Thanksgiving Weekend from Nov. 20 to Dec. 1.

About The Heat Is On

The Heat Is On campaign runs throughout the year, with 15 specific high-visibility impaired-driving enforcement periods centered on national holidays and large public events. Enforcement periods may include sobriety checkpoints, saturation patrols and additional law enforcement on duty dedicated to arresting impaired drivers. For more details about the campaign, visit HeatIsOnColorado.com. Information about Colorado's DUI laws can be found at NoDUIColorado.org. Learn more about CDOT's dedication to keeping Colorado roads safe at codot.gov/safety. Additional materials for the media are available by emailing [email protected].

The Heat Is On Video Content

To give motorists a firsthand look at the DUI process, CDOT launched a video series featuring interviews with Colorado law enforcement, local officials, victims of impaired driving, road safety advocates and more. "The Long Road: Navigating a DUI Arrest" can be viewed on YouTube and individual videos are available for download by emailing [email protected]. CDOT also has DUI checkpoint footage* available free for media use, offering a compelling glimpse of what happens during a checkpoint. Access the footage by emailing [email protected].

*The people portrayed in the videos signed participation waivers to be included in filming.

Colorado's Expressed Consent Law

Drivers should know that refusal to provide a breath or blood test once arrested for a DUI may come with increased consequences. Learn more at codot.gov/choosetotest.

Colorado Fatal Crash Data Dashboard

The dashboard represents the official and most current number of roadway fatalities in the state. Visit the Fatal Crash Data dashboard.

Crash Not Accident

Note to reporters: Crashes are no accident - they are preventable. We would appreciate you saying 'crash' instead of 'accident' when reporting.