Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol, said that any level of alcohol or drug use undermines safe driving and urged individuals to plan for sober transportation over Halloween. This statement was made in a press release.
“There are absolutely no safe levels of drinking or drug consumption,” said C. Packard. “We must stop lying to ourselves that we are ‘fine’ to drive when the whole purpose of consuming these products is to feel relaxed or euphoric. If you feel different, you drive differently. Be proactive and plan ahead for a sober ride.”
According to a press release, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), Uber, CDOT, and the Colorado State Patrol (CSP) have launched a 2025 Halloween campaign across the Denver area to reduce impaired driving. The initiative offers discounted Uber rides using the code “SPOOKYCO25” and encourages Coloradans to plan ahead for a sober ride. The campaign reinforces statewide efforts to prevent impaired driving crashes and protect pedestrians during one of the most dangerous nights of the year.
CDOT reports that Halloween remains one of Colorado’s deadliest periods for DUI incidents, with 2,187 arrests recorded statewide between 2019 and 2021. Enforcement reports indicate 202 DUI arrests in 2021, 134 in 2022, and more than 200 in 2023. These figures reflect consistent high-risk behavior despite outreach efforts, highlighting the ongoing need for prevention partnerships during holiday weekends.
As reported by CDOT, its partnership with Uber provided 7,638 safe rides across nine campaigns in 2023, totaling more than $25,000 in ride credits. During the 2024 Halloween “DUIs Are Scary” campaign, 1,000 vouchers were distributed and just over 200 DUI arrests occurred statewide. While formal impact studies are pending, officials credit these efforts with improving late-night ride access and safety awareness.
According to the Colorado State Patrol, Colonel Matthew C. Packard has served as CSP Chief since December 2017 after joining the agency in 2000. His leadership encompasses accident reconstruction, hazardous materials management, and training operations. Packard has championed DUI deterrence and education initiatives including statewide “The Heat Is On” enforcement and CDOT video campaigns highlighting the costs of impaired driving.
The Colorado State Patrol (CSP), which operates under the Department of Public Safety, leads traffic enforcement and highway safety across the state. Its efforts to prevent impaired driving include standardized detection training, targeted patrols, and collaborations with MADD, CDOT, and Uber to promote safe driving and reduce fatalities during high-risk periods such as Halloween weekend.
