Colorado Department of Transportation, Colorado State Patrol and statewide law enforcement agencies will conduct a “Heat Is On” DUI enforcement period Friday through Wednesday to keep roads safe from impaired drivers during Halloween festivities.

The DUI blitz may include sobriety checkpoints, saturation patrols and additional law enforcement dedicated to impaired-driving enforcement on duty. The campaign this year will include 113 law enforcement agencies.

“Thousands of children and families will be out and about trick-or-treating and enjoying fall festivities this Halloween,” Darrell Lingk, CDOT Office of Transportation Safety director, said in a news release. “We are dedicated to keeping them, and all Coloradans, safe from impaired drivers, and we have zero tolerance for those who choose to drive impaired, risking their lives and others.”

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, from 2011 to 2015, 45 percent of traffic fatalities and 23 percent of pedestrian fatalities on Halloween were related to drunken driving. Last year’s Halloween enforcement arrested 296 for impaired driving.

“There will be more pedestrians out on Halloween evening, so we’re asking motorists to drive alert and without distractions,” Col. Scott Hernandez, Colorado State Patrol Chief, said in a news release. “If you do plan to drive, do so sober. There are many alternative options to driving drunk, including ride-share programs, cabs and public transit.”

First-time DUI offenders can be punished with up to one year in jail, license suspension and steep fines. Penalties increase for repeat offenders.

For more information and tips for staying safe on the road, visit www.heatisoncolorado.com.

fstone@durangoherald.com