Throughout the year, the Colorado State Patrol (CSP) and other local law enforcement agencies carry out a DUI crackdown initiative, "The Heat Is On," timed around holidays like Halloween and Thanksgiving, when more intoxicated motorists are likely to be out on the road. One of the biggest party nights of the year is New Year's Eve. Last year, the statewide anti-DUI campaign saw 442 residents arrested for drunk driving. While official numbers for this year's effort have yet to be totaled (though Sam Cole, spokesman for the Colorado Department of Transportation, estimates that they will be similar to 2013's) the preliminary results point to dozens being cited with DUI in Colorado in just the Denver area alone.
"In Denver, enforcement efforts targeted the Lower Downtown neighborhood on New Year's Eve, where large crowds gathered for fireworks along the 16th Street Mall," writes the Denver Post. "Nineteen DUIs were issued between Dec. 31 and Jan. 1, which police said is similar to previous years."
According to the source, across that same one-day span, four DUI arrests were also made in El Paso County, another four in Douglas County, two in Jefferson County and 11 in Aurora — a notable decrease from the 19 arrests made in Aurora during last New Year's Eve.
The New Year's DUI crackdown ends on Monday, January 5.
As much as drinking with friends and family to ring in the New Year may be a good time, being charged with a DUI is anything but, leaving the accused staring at significant financial fines, a revoked driver's license and even time in jail. If you've been accused of drunk driving in Colorado, contact The Orr Law Firm right away. Our expert team of Colorado DUI lawyers will work tirelessly to ensure as minimal of an impact as possible on your life.