Traffic fatalities from suspected impaired driving fell significantly this year in Colorado between Memorial Day to Labor Day — referred to as “the 100 deadliest days” because of a typical peak in traffic deaths, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation.
Traffic deaths involving suspected impairment dropped more than 50% during this time period compared to last year, from 82 deaths to 37, according to CDOT.
From January to June of this year, CDOT recorded 72 fatalities with suspected impairment. That’s a 28.7% decrease from the 101 traffic deaths under the same circumstances last year.
“While this data is preliminary, these decreases reflect improvement in Colorado’s roadway safety,” read a CDOT news release sent Thursday.
Beginning Thursday through Wednesday of next week, CDOT will be supporting Colorado State Patrol and 20 local law enforcement agencies in a Labor Day DUI enforcement crackdown. Drivers may see sobriety checkpoints and increased police presence to arrest impaired drivers.
“The first half of the year has shown a decrease in impaired driving deaths in 2026 compared to years prior,” Shoshana Lew, CDOT executive director, said in the release. “However, as fatalities can increase in the later months, we must continue to always drive sober as the fall and holiday seasons approach. The decision to drive after drinking could mean years of increased costs and a lifetime of trauma.”
