Indulging in “boos” this Halloweekend? CDOT says to plan a sober ride home

News Release

¿Está planeando divertirse a lo tétrico este fin de semana de Halloween? CDOT recomienda que haga planes para llegar a casa con un conductor sobrio en español

Statewide - The consequences of a DUI can be haunting, so make the safe choice and find a sober ride home from Halloween festivities. From Oct. 31 to Nov. 3, the Colorado Department of Transportation will support the Colorado State Patrol and 67 local law enforcement agencies for The Heat Is On Halloween Weekend DUI enforcement period. 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.

To curb impairment-related crashes this Halloweekend, Uber and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) will offer an $8 discount using Uber Voucher code SPOOKYCO25 in the app. The discount is valid for one-time use only within the Denver metro area from Oct. 30 to Nov. 3.

"Colorado motorists have the responsibility to drive sober, and Colorado law enforcement has the responsibility to remove impaired drivers from the road. Planning a sober ride ahead of any holiday event is the best way to avoid a DUI or crash," said Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol. "This Halloween, leave the keys behind if you'll be consuming alcohol or cannabis. It's always better to call a sober friend or use a rideshare service than put yourself and other Coloradans at risk."

Last year's Halloween Weekend enforcement period concluded with 196 reported DUI arrests. So far this year, there have been more than 11,000 DUI arrests in Colorado. Additionally, 172 impaired driving-related fatalities have occurred on Colorado roads so far in 2025.

"Ensure a sober ride home is part of your Halloween weekend plans and never get behind the wheel impaired," said CDOT's Office of Transportation Safety Director Darrell Lingk. "The consequences of a DUI will haunt you - the average cost of a DUI is $13,530 and dealing with the crime will take up hours of your time. Don't make excuses and don't take the risk."

Roadway safety is a shared responsibility - never let a friend or family member drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If you plan to host a Halloween party this weekend, make sure your guests stay safe and avoid a DUI by following these tips:

• Collect your guests' car keys upon arrival. Encourage them to designate a sober driver or use a ride-sharing service, taxi or public transportation
• Call a sober friend or family member for a guest if they have been drinking or offer them a place to stay if a sober ride home is unavailable
• Stop serving alcohol at least two hours before the party is over. Provide plenty of food and non-alcoholic drink options
• Be persistent if a guest is intoxicated and planning to drive home. Explain that you care about their safety and cannot let them get behind the wheel
• Remember, as a host, you could be held liable if a guest you serve alcohol to gets in a crash

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) offers the following safety tips for designated drivers this Halloween:

• Be alert for trick-or-treaters and other pedestrians
• Slow down and scan the road. Remember: Slower speeds save lives
• Watch for young trick-or-treaters in unexpected places. Children may be unaware of traffic and dart into the street unexpectedly
• If you see an impaired driver, contact law enforcement

Under Colorado's Expressed Consent Law, by driving a vehicle in the state, you automatically consent to a toxicology test following a DUI arrest. Colorado has seen an increase in drivers who refuse a toxicology test in recent years. Refusing a test is illegal, and it hinders efforts to keep Colorado roads safe from impaired drivers. Learn more about the law and the consequences of refusing to test at codot.gov/choosetotest.

Preliminary data shows that the recent Fall Festivals DUI enforcement period concluded with 487 arrests across 77 participating agencies. The agencies with the highest arrests were Larimer County Sheriff's Office (58), Fort Collins Police Department (54) and Thornton Police Department (48). Following Halloween Weekend, the next DUI enforcement period will be Thanksgiving Week from Nov. 20 to Dec. 3.

DUI Checkpoint B-Roll

CDOT has made new DUI checkpoint footage available for media use, offering a compelling glimpse of what happens during a checkpoint. The footage captures real-life interactions between law enforcement officers and drivers* at DUI checkpoints and highlights the consequences of impaired driving. Email [email protected]to access the footage.

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

About The Heat Is On

The CDOT Highway Safety Office provides funding to Colorado law enforcement for impaired driving enforcement, education and awareness campaigns. The Heat Is On campaign runs throughout the year, with 16 specific high-visibility impaired driving enforcement periods centered on national holidays and large public events. Enforcement periods can include sobriety checkpoints, saturation patrols and additional law enforcement on duty dedicated to impaired driving enforcement. Find more details about the campaign, including impaired driving enforcement plans, arrest totals and safety tips, at HeatIsOnColorado.com. More information about DUI laws in Colorado can be found at NoDUIColorado.org. Learn more about CDOT's dedication to keeping Colorado roads safe, including impaired driving enforcement objectives, arrest data and safety information, at codot.gov/safety.

Crash Not Accident

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