The snow line has receded, the Colorado Rockies are taking the field and the Denver air is warm with the promise of coming summer. Spring is here and that means law enforcement across the state is going to turn up the heat by increasing DUI patrols.
The Colorado Department of Transportation says the spring enforcement event, The Heat Is On, began a few days ago and will run through Sunday, May 17. The Colorado State Patrol, Denver Police Department, as well as Aurora Police Department and other agencies will be rolling out enhanced enforcement efforts for the next month and a half.
The enforcement campaign isn’t tied to a single, specific event, but it instead part of an effort to crack down while colleges conduct graduation ceremonies, proms are held, a number of sports events are held and marijuana is celebrated on April 20 at a variety of events. CDOT says it “doesn’t mind if you celebrate, as long as you never get behind the wheel impaired.”
As we have pointed out in the past, it is always a good idea to designate a sober driver for party events, whether the party includes alcohol or marijuana or both. Last year’s spring Heat Is On enforcement resulted in more than 1,800 people being arrested for driving under the influence.
Chief of the Colorado State Patrol said, “If you drive after drinking or doing drugs, we will find and arrest you.” To try to find impaired drivers, state and local officials will deploy a variety of tactics including enhanced patrols, extra patrols and sobriety checkpoints.
If the efforts result in your arrest, the law firm of Shazam Kianpour & Associates, P.C., will be available to analyze the evidence in your case, examine arrest procedures, advise you of your legal options and then help you pursue the option best for your individual situation. Please see our Breath and Blood Tests page for more information about our Denver law firm.