ASPEN, CO - 07/02/2010 – As Coloradans make plans for the Fourth of July weekend; four local agencies are gearing up for increased DUI patrols. With a grant from the state of Colorado, the Aspen Police, Pitkin County Sheriff's, Basalt Police, and Snowmass Police will be working to keep motorists safe from impaired drivers. The increased enforcement began on Thursday July 1 at 6 p.m. and will continue through 3 a.m. on Tuesday, July 6. The effort is part of the summer-long “100 Days of Heat” campaign, an intensive DUI enforcement effort that continues through Labor Day throughout the state of Colorado.
“We ask the community to take advantage of the RFTA bus system or Tipsy Taxi, as necessary,” said Aspen Police Officer Gregg Cole. “It's the responsibility of every motorist to keep the roads safe and not to drink and drive.”
On July 1 a new law went into effect requiring tougher penalties for repeat DUI offenders. It requires a minimum of 10 days in jail for a second DUI offense and 60 days in jail for a third and subsequent DUI offenses. Repeat DUI offenders also face a longer probation period of two years. Additionally, the average DUI is reported to cost in excess of $10,000.
With 72 days remaining in the “100 Days of Heat” campaign, law enforcement agencies continue to work overtime conducting DUI patrols, with 76 agencies statewide participating in the program. For more information on the “100 Days of Heat” check out the joint press release issued by Colorado Department of Transportation and Colorado State Patrol.
Please direct questions for the Aspen Police to Officer Gregg Cole (970) 920-5400, for the Basalt Police Department to Sergeant Stu Curry at (970) 927-4316, for the Snowmass Village Police Department to Officer Franz Zedlacher at (970) 923-5330, and for the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office to Deputy Levi Borst at (970) 920-5300.
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