Drunk Driving During the Holidays in Colorado Springs
The holiday season in Colorado Springs is full of celebrations, travel, and gatherings with friends and family. Unfortunately, it’s also one of the most dangerous times of year on local roads. Every holiday season, law enforcement across El Paso County steps up DUI enforcement in response to a predictable rise in impaired driving.
Understanding the risks — and planning ahead — can help keep you and others safe.
🎄 Holiday DUI Trends in Colorado & El Paso County
Impaired driving remains one of the leading causes of fatal crashes in Colorado. According to the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), roughly one-third of all traffic fatalities in Colorado involve an impaired driver. During the holidays, those risks increase as alcohol consumption and travel both rise.
El Paso County consistently ranks among the top counties in Colorado for DUI arrests, reflecting both population size and heightened enforcement in the Colorado Springs area.
Sources:
Colorado Department of Transportation – Impaired Driving Data
Colorado State Patrol – DUI Enforcement Reports
🚓 Increased DUI Enforcement During the Holidays
Each year, CDOT, the Colorado State Patrol, and local law enforcement agencies participate in “The Heat Is On” — a statewide DUI enforcement campaign targeting high-risk periods.
Holiday enforcement windows typically include:
- Thanksgiving Week
- Holiday Parties Period (mid-December through Christmas)
- New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day
During these periods, drivers in Colorado Springs can expect:
- Saturation patrols
- Sobriety checkpoints
- Increased late-night enforcement
- Little tolerance for impaired driving violations
Hundreds of DUI arrests are made statewide during these holiday enforcement periods each year. If you are arrested for DUI in Colorado, you want an experienced DUI attorney on your side.
Sources:
Colorado Department of Transportation – The Heat Is On
Colorado State Patrol Holiday DUI Announcements
🚗 Sober Ride & Transportation Options in Colorado Springs
Planning your ride before you drink is the easiest way to avoid a DUI.
Local options include:
- zTrip Colorado Springs – Taxi and app-based rides
- Mountain Metropolitan Transit (MMT) – Local bus service
- Envida Moves – Transportation in El Paso and Teller Counties
- GoodWheels (Goodwill of Colorado) – Flexible community transportation
- Metro Mobility – ADA paratransit services
The cost of a ride home is minor compared to the cost of a DUI.
Sources:
Age Friendly Pikes Peak – Transportation Resources
Mountain Metropolitan Transit
📞 Free Consultation If You Have Questions About DUI Laws
Even careful drivers sometimes worry about what counts as DUI, how enforcement works, or what happens if they’re stopped during the holidays. If you have questions about Colorado DUI laws — or concerns after an interaction with law enforcement — Pav Law Criminal Defense offers free, confidential consultations.
👉 Contact Pav Law to schedule a free consultation and get clear answers before a situation gets worse.
🎁 A Simple Holiday Rule
If you’re drinking, don’t drive.
If someone you care about has been drinking, help them get home safely.
A safe decision tonight can prevent lifelong consequences tomorrow.
