Colorado law enforcement issued 1,184 citations for impaired driving from Aug. 18 to Sept. 5, an increase from the 964 arrests during last year’s Labor Day crackdown.

A total of 121 law enforcement agencies statewide participated in the Colorado Department of Transportation’s “The Heat Is On” Labor Day DUI enforcement period.

“Summer is one of the busiest seasons for law enforcement, especially as it relates to DUI arrests and impaired fatalities,” said Darrell Lingk, CDOT Office of Transportation Safety director, in a news release. “While summer is coming to an end, the emphasis on preventing impaired driving is still a top priority across the state as fall approaches.”

In response to upcoming football games, tailgate parties, beer festivals and other alcohol-related events, CDOT, Colorado State Patrol and local law enforcement agencies will conduct the five-week “Fall Festivals” DUI blitz from Sept. 15 to Oct. 23. Last year’s fall enforcement cited 1,498 impaired drivers.

“CSP and local law enforcement have zero tolerance for impaired drivers,” said Col. Scott Hernandez, chief of CSP. “Holding friends and family accountable for driving impaired could save their lives, or the lives of other drivers and pedestrians on Colorado’s roads. One impaired driver can drastically change the lives of many people.”

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

To view results from the 2017 Labor Day enforcement period, visit http://bit.ly/2h6QltT.

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