New data from the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) indicates a 22% decrease in impaired driving-related fatalities compared to this time in 2022, when such deaths reached a record high. As holiday gatherings increase, CDOT, the Colorado State Patrol, and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) are urging drivers to arrange for safe transportation if they have consumed alcohol or drugs.
Shoshana Lew, executive director of CDOT, stated: “Keep yourself and your loved ones safe this holiday season — driving impaired is a conscious decision that can cost lives. If you’ve been consuming alcohol or cannabis, do not get behind the wheel. Instead, use a ride-share service or call a sober friend. Just don’t risk a DUI, crash or worse.”
So far in 2025, there have been 205 deaths involving an impaired driver on Colorado roads—a reduction from last year but still considered significant by officials. CDOT notes that crashes involving impaired drivers often rise during the holidays; last December saw 45 traffic fatalities statewide, with 14 suspected to involve impairment.
Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol, said: “Colorado’s decrease in impaired driving deaths is a hopeful sign that more drivers are making the right decisions to arrange for a sober ride. Do your part to save lives this season. Plan ahead and remember that there’s never an excuse to drive impaired.”
To help reduce impairment-related incidents during the holidays, Uber and MADD are offering an $8 discount through Uber Voucher code JOYFULCO25 within the Denver metro area between Dec. 24 and Jan. 2.
CDOT representatives also attended MADD’s Giving and Gratitude Luncheon this week to support victim services and prevention programs related to drunk and drugged-driving crashes.
Rebecca Green, state executive director of MADD Colorado and Wyoming, added: “This season of celebration often turns to tragedy in the blink of an eye. Give yourself and your loved ones the gift of a sober ride home. Take a moment to make your plan and together we can end impaired driving.”
A recent report from the Colorado Division of Criminal Justice found that nearly half of those involved in crashes who were convicted of DUI had multiple substances—alcohol combined with cannabis or other drugs—in their system at the time.
During December’s heightened enforcement period from Dec. 11-25 known as The Heat Is On Holiday Parties DUI enforcement period, CDOT will work with state patrol officers and local law enforcement agencies across Colorado using sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols aimed at deterring impaired driving.
Last year’s campaign resulted in over 1,300 DUI arrests during December alone—an average exceeding one arrest per hour statewide.
The Heat Is On campaign operates throughout the year with targeted enforcement periods around major holidays; further information is available at HeatIsOnColorado.com as well as NoDUIColorado.org for details about state DUI laws.
Drivers should be aware that refusing breath or blood tests after being arrested for DUI may result in additional penalties under Colorado’s Expressed Consent law; more information is available at codot.gov/choosetotest.
CDOT has also produced educational videos about navigating DUI arrests featuring interviews with law enforcement officers, officials, victims’ advocates and others affected by impaired driving.
