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Colorado sees 20% increase from 2016 in DUI arrests over July 4 holiday

Colorado sees 20% increase from 2016 in DUI arrests over July 4 holiday
Posted at 10:28 AM, Jul 14, 2017
and last updated 2017-07-14 12:28:40-04

DENVER -- Nearly 400 people were caught drinking and driving over the July 4 holiday enforcement period in Colorado—a marked increase from the number arrested and cited last year.

The Colorado Department of Transportation says that law enforcement officers with local agencies and Colorado State Patrol arrested or cited 381 impaired drivers between June 30 and July 5.

Last year, 318 people were arrested or cited over the same enforcement period. This year’s number marks a 19.8 percent increase in arrests and citations.

Of the local agencies that participated in the statewide enforcement period, Colorado Springs saw the most arrests, at 31. Greeley Police Department officers arrested 28 people, and Denver officers arrested 24 people. State Patrol troopers arrested or cited 86 people across the state.

“It’s unfortunate that so many people made the decision to drive impaired and put everyone on the road in danger,” said Director of Transportation Safety for CDOT, Darrel Lingk.

Another similar enforcement period is coming up in late August, which will last through early September. There were nearly 1,000 people arrested over the 2 ½-week enforcement period last year.