Don't let this Halloween Turn into a Nightmare with a DUI Worst nightmare already comes true for 1649 arrested for DUI this fall

Denver, CO - "The Heat is On" this Halloween weekend across Colorado, with a ramped-up enforcement effort against alcohol and drug-impaired drivers. The Colorado State Patrol (CSP) and 89 local law enforcement agencies will work overtime across the state in an effort to discourage potential drunk drivers from getting behind the wheel, and arresting those who do.

Halloween "Heat Is On" DUI increased enforcement begins at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28 and continues through 3 a.m. Tuesday, Nov.1. Last year, 439 drivers were arrested for DUI during the same enforcement period.

"Halloween is a fun holiday, even for adults, but it's no excuse to forget your responsibility to designate a sober driver if you are celebrating with alcohol. In the past couple of years, we've seen DUI arrests and alcohol-related fatalities increase in the month of October," said Col. James Wolfinbarger, chief of the Colorado State Patrol. "We want to encourage people to plan ahead for a safe ride home and be on the lookout for kids who are out trick-or-treating. Don't trade your costume for a real jail jumpsuit by drinking and driving."

In 2009, October proved to be the deadliest month for DUI crashes, with 26 people killed. Last year, October was the fourth deadliest month with 17 people killed in alcohol-related traffic crashes, with one of those deaths occurring over Halloween weekend.

Halloween enforcement comes on the heels of the Fall Festival enforcement period that began Sept. 9 and ended Oct. 24. CSP and 59 local agencies arrested 1,649 people for DUI.