Colorado is expected to exceed 16,000 DUI arrests by the end of 2025, according to state officials. The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and law enforcement agencies across the state are increasing efforts to prevent impaired driving as residents prepare for New Year’s Eve celebrations.
The CDOT will support the Colorado State Patrol and 61 local law enforcement agencies during “The Heat Is On” New Year’s Eve DUI enforcement period, which runs from December 26, 2025, through January 1, 2026. During this time, motorists can expect a greater presence of law enforcement officers focused on identifying and arresting impaired drivers.
According to data from the Colorado Crime Statistics Dashboard, monthly DUI arrests in 2025 have averaged over 1,300 per month. The breakdown includes: January (1,297), February (1,260), March (1,500), April (1,374), May (1,507), June (1,367), July (1,323), August (1,426), September (1,278), and October (1,264).
Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol stated: “Driving under the influence — whether you’ve consumed alcohol or cannabis — puts you at risk of a DUI arrest or crash. This New Year’s Eve, law enforcement across the state is prepared to conduct saturation patrols and arrest impaired drivers. Don’t drop the ball this New Year’s holiday — choose to drive sober and encourage others to do the same.”
The agency notes that most impaired driving citations occur between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., coinciding with peak hours for New Year’s celebrations. Officials warn that even small amounts of alcohol can impair driving ability; a blood alcohol content below 0.05% may still result in a DUI if impairment is observed by an officer.
To reduce DUIs and related crashes during the holiday season in Colorado:
– Uber and Mothers Against Drunk Driving are offering an $8 discount for rides within Denver using code JOYFULCO25 until January 2.
– Regional Transportation District (RTD) and Molson Coors are providing free bus and rail rides from December 31 at 7 p.m. through January 1 at 7 a.m.
Darrell Lingk, Director of CDOT’s Office of Transportation Safety said: “So far in 2025, 223 people have died on Colorado roads in crashes involving impaired drivers. That’s 223 lives cut short, families affected and friends lost. If you plan to drink, use a ride-share service, public transportation or designated driver to get home safely.”
During last year’s New Year’s Eve enforcement period there were 207 DUI arrests statewide; so far this year there have been nearly five thousand such arrests during similar campaigns.
Under Colorado’s Expressed Consent Law drivers automatically agree to toxicology testing after a DUI arrest; refusing these tests is illegal and can bring additional consequences. More information about this law is available at codot.gov/choosetotest.
“The Heat Is On” campaign features fifteen high-visibility enforcement periods throughout the year targeting national holidays and major events with measures such as sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols. Additional information about these efforts can be found at HeatIsOnColorado.com; resources regarding state DUI laws are provided at NoDUIColorado.org.
To increase awareness about DUI consequences among motorists CDOT has produced “The Long Road: Navigating a DUI Arrest,” a video series featuring interviews with law enforcement officers as well as victims’ stories—available on YouTube.
For more details about CDOT road safety initiatives visit codot.gov/safety.
