At the onset of warmer weather, Colorado Department of Transportation officials prepare for what they statistically described as the “100 deadliest days of summer” on the roads.

In conjunction with Colorado State Patrol’s ongoing Memorial Day DUI enforcement period, the state’s transportation department encourages drivers to be aware of increased DUI reports between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

“As the days get longer and Coloradans attend more parties and social events, it’s important to remember that impaired driving can ruin lives,” Matthew Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol, said in a statement.

“Colorado lost 218 lives to impaired driving in 2023. These deaths were preventable. Don’t put yourself and other motorists at risk this season by driving impaired,” he added.

During CDOT’s 2023 enforcement periods, 2,295 DUI arrests were made, according to CDOT.

CSP’s current enforcement period, which started May 16 and ends June 5, consists of increased saturation patrols, sobriety checkpoints and additional law enforcement presence on duty.

There were a total of 479 reported DUIs during last year’s Memorial Day enforcement period, according to CDOT.

More enforcement periods are expected for the summer.

“Leave the driving to the sober this Memorial Day weekend. Always plan a sober ride home before going out so you won’t be tempted to later drive impaired,” CDOT’s Office of Transportation Safety Director Darrell Lingk said in a statement.

He added, a DUI “will ruin your summer fun and a crash could cost you your life.”