The Colorado Springs Police Department has partnered with the Colorado Department of Transportation to participate in the ?Checkpoint Colorado? program. During this program CSPD will occasionally sponsor sobriety checkpoints and or saturation patrols as part of the ?Heat is On? DUI enforcement periods. The enforcement periods usually run during holiday weekend periods throughout the year. We have partnered with other local law enforcement agencies, the Pikes Peak Regional DUI Task Force, the Colorado Department of Transportation and The National Highway Transportation Safety Association in this effort. During our DUI checkpoints, all vehicles traveling through the checkpoint location will be stopped. Exceptions will be made for emergency vehicles, commercial vehicles, oversized trucks, and any other vehicle that would cause a hazard condition if it is moved into a checkpoint. The drivers of all vehicles will be visually evaluated for signs of intoxication or drug usage. Drivers will not be detained for longer than three minutes unless an officer observes indications of alcohol intoxication or drug use. As a part of the community awareness component of our DUI enforcement program, the dates, times, divisions and the type of upcoming enforcement events (checkpoints or saturation patrols) that are scheduled will be listed below.

Click logo to learn more about the L.E.A.F. program. Click logo to learn more about CDOT

To lessen the amount of time that persons are detained during checkpoints, officers contacting motorist will be limited to asking only for the motorist?s driver?s license and vehicle registration. Officers working at checkpoints will not have the discretion to deviate from operational plans that are completed prior to each event.

Guidelines For Sobriety Checkpoints

The policies and procedures that are used to operate DUI checkpoints will insure that the checkpoints are used legally, effectively, and safely. These policies and procedures are consistent with those specified in recent court decisions, including the United States Supreme Court ruling in Michigan Department of State Police v. Sitz; which upholds the constitutionality of sobriety checkpoints. An effective sobriety checkpoint program consists of the following components:

• Ongoing Program to Deter Impaired Driving
• Legal Support
• Existing Departmental Policy
• Site Selection
• Special Warning Devices
• Visible Police Authority
• Chemical Testing Logistics
• Contingency Planning
• Detection and Investigation Techniques
• Operational Briefings
• Comprehensive Public Information and Education Programs
• Data Collection and Evaluation

In 2005, officers of the Colorado Springs Police Department arrested 2428 persons for DUI related violations. The goal of our DUI enforcement program is to keep the roads safe and prevent injuries and death. Impaired driving is Colorado?s most serious traffic safety problem and one of America?s deadliest crimes. If you decide to drink, arrange safe ride options in advance by having a designated driver or take a cab. The cost of a DUI arrest can reach well over ten thousand dollars. Remember, friends don?t let friends or family members drink and drive, give the ?Gift of a Lift?.