The Colorado State Patrol is stepping up enforcement of laws against distracted driving this weekend.

Through a grant from the Colorado Department of Transportation, the State Patrol said officers will strictly enforce the no-texting law, as well as focus on other distracted-driving behaviors. Beginning on Friday and continuing through Sunday night, motorists will see an increase in CSP patrols looking for distracted-driving behaviors, the State Patrol said in a news release Friday.

“Distracted driving is a growing issue as technology continues to be part of our lives,” Chief Scott Hernandez said. “The Colorado State Patrol is committed to ensuring safety along our roads, and it will take the efforts of law enforcement and the community to put an end to distracted driving.”

In Colorado, any driver younger than 18 is prohibited from using a telephone while operating a motor vehicle. All drivers are prohibited from texting while driving.

As part of the campaign. electronic message boards will tell drivers to “GET YOUR HEADS OUT OF YOUR APPS.”

“The Colorado no-texting law specifically speaks to texting and similar forms of data entry but reminds drivers that any behavior that takes your focus away from your driving is a distraction and dangerous for you and those driving around you,” Hernandez said.

cslothower@durangoherald.com