Summer in Colorado means Rockies games, weekend road trips, backyard barbecues, and plenty of time spent outdoors. But with these seasonal activities comes a sharp uptick in DUI arrests.
According to the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), the number of DUI-related crashes and arrests spikes between Memorial Day and Labor Day, with the Fourth of July weekend consistently among the deadliest. Law enforcement across the state steps up DUI enforcement during these months, often launching high-visibility campaigns which include increased checkpoints and patrols.
The reasons for this seasonal surge are complex but predictable: longer days, more drinking occasions, holiday travel, and relaxed routines. Understanding what commonly leads to DUI arrests in Colorado in the summer can help you avoid costly legal consequences and protect yourself and others on the road.
Why Are Summer Months the Peak for DUIs?
- Increased Alcohol Consumption: From weekend music festivals to brewery tours and neighborhood block parties, drinking becomes a part of the social fabric during summer. Unfortunately, with more alcohol consumption comes a higher risk of impaired driving.
- Longer Days & Late-Night Socializing: Extended daylight hours and warm evenings encourage longer outings. It’s easy to lose track of time or the number of drinks consumed.
- Holiday Hazards: Major summer holidays — Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day — have some of the highest DUI crash and arrest rates in Colorado.
- Stepped-Up Enforcement: With more officers on the streets during summer weekends, minor traffic infractions (like rolling through a stop sign) can quickly escalate into a DUI investigation.
- Tourism Traffic: Colorado’s national parks, music festivals, and breweries draw out-of-state drivers unfamiliar with local DUI laws, marijuana regulations, and high-altitude alcohol effects.
- Young Drivers & Risky Behavior: Teens and college students out of school for the summer are statistically more likely to engage in high-risk behaviors like binge drinking and impaired driving.
Mistake #1: Misjudging Your Level of Impairment After "Just a Couple Drinks"
One of the most common misconceptions we hear at Orr Law Firm is: “I only had a few drinks. I didn’t feel drunk.” But feeling “okay to drive” is not a reliable indicator of sobriety. In Colorado, the legal BAC (blood alcohol concentration) limit is 0.08%, but you can be charged with DWAI (Driving While Ability Impaired) at just 0.05%, even if your BAC is technically under the legal DUI threshold.
Hot weather, high elevation, and dehydration — especially common in places like Denver and Colorado Springs — can amplify alcohol's effects. These environmental conditions mean even small amounts of alcohol can impair driving ability more than expected. Many people arrested for DUI genuinely believed they were within their limits.
Mistake #2: Driving Tired After a Long Day (and a Few Drinks)
It’s easy to underestimate how exhausting summer in Colorado can be. Between long hikes, hot days, and late-night concerts, fatigue becomes a serious risk factor. When alcohol is added, even in small amounts, fatigue can severely impair your reaction time and judgment.
Driving while tired slows your reflexes and clouds decision-making. Add alcohol to the equation, and your ability to assess risks or respond to sudden changes in traffic deteriorates significantly. Many DUI arrests happen late at night, when drivers are physically and mentally drained after a full day of activity.
Mistake #3: Thinking Short Distances Don’t Count for DUI
Many DUI arrests occur just blocks from home. Drivers may think they’re playing it safe by keeping the distance short, but officers are just as vigilant on local roads. Law enforcement frequently patrols residential areas after big events.
The truth is that impaired driving is dangerous no matter how far you travel. Many DUI-related crashes happen within a few miles of the driver’s residence. Proximity offers no legal protection if you’re found impaired behind the wheel, even on a short trip to the store or a friend’s house.
Mistake #4: Agreeing to Field Sobriety Tests Without Knowing Your Rights
If you're pulled over for suspected DUI, an officer might ask you to perform field sobriety tests like walking a straight line or standing on one leg. What many drivers don’t know is that these tests are voluntary under Colorado law.
Unlike chemical tests (like breath or blood tests), which do have automatic license-related consequences upon refusal, field sobriety tests do not. They are subjective and can be influenced by nervousness, medical conditions, poor lighting, or even the type of footwear. Politely declining to take these tests can prevent potentially damaging evidence from being used against you.
Mistake #5: Driving After Taking Prescription Drugs or Mixing Alcohol with Medication
DUI charges in Colorado are not limited to alcohol. Driving under the influence of prescription medication, marijuana, or other impairing substances can also lead to arrest. Even over-the-counter medications can contribute to impairment, especially when combined with alcohol.
Many drivers mistakenly believe that “legal” drugs are automatically safe to use while driving. But medications like benzodiazepines (e.g., Xanax), opioids (e.g., oxycodone), and antihistamines (e.g., Benadryl) can all impair motor function, coordination, and reaction time. Mixing these with alcohol intensifies those effects, often leading to unintentional impairment.
Protect Yourself & Your Summer Memories
DUI charges in Colorado carry serious consequences, including license suspension, steep fines, possible jail time, and a permanent criminal record. By understanding common mistakes and how DUI laws work here in Colorado, you can make better choices and stay out of legal trouble. When in doubt, don’t drive. Call a ride. Make a plan.
If you’ve been arrested or are under investigation for DUI, you deserve compassionate guidance grounded in Colorado law. At Orr Law Firm, we offer free confidential initial consultations and personalized legal defense. Contact us today to discuss your situation and your options moving forward.