At No DUI NoCo, we fight every day to end impaired driving in northern Colorado. Today, we’re sharing some hopeful news that proves our collective efforts across the state – from lawmakers to local parents, law enforcement, educators, and advocates like you – are working.
According to new data released by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), traffic fatalities in Colorado are down 21% compared to this time last year. That’s not just a statistic. It represents lives saved, families spared, and communities made safer.
What’s causing the decline?
The drop in fatalities is the result of a broad, collaborative push for safer roads, smarter laws, and more personal accountability behind the wheel. Here’s what’s changed:
● Impaired driving fatalities dropped by 19%
● Distracted driving fatalities decreased by 22%
● Speed-related fatalities fell by 26%
● Teen driver fatalities plummeted by an astounding 70%
Northern Colorado is making progress, too
Here in Northern Colorado, we’re seeing the results firsthand:
● Larimer County saw fatalities cut by more than half, from 11 to just 5.
● Weld County also saw a decline, from 17 to 14 fatalities.
It’s important to note that several northern Colorado municipalities have seen increases in impaired driving, despite opposing statewide trends. This emphasizes the importance of our continued work to prevent impaired driving. Every life saved is worth celebrating – and every life lost is still one too many.
New Colorado laws are working
Several new laws and enhanced enforcement efforts are likely helping fuel this progress, including:
● Colorado’s new Hands-Free Law, which bans holding a phone while driving.
● Updated child passenger safety requirements, keeping our youngest passengers more secure.
● Increased enforcement in Express Lanes, targeting dangerous weaving and aggressive driving.
These changes, combined with public education efforts, stricter DUI laws, and growing awareness around the dangers of impaired driving, may be contributing to decreased fatalities statewide.
100 Deadliest Days of Summer approaches
As we head into the 100 Deadliest Days of Summer – a time when traffic fatalities spike statewide – it’s important we keep the momentum going.
Here’s how you can help:
- Always drive sober. Plan a ride, use a designated driver, or call a ride service.
- Put the phone away. Distractions can be deadly — even at a red light.
- Buckle up every time, and make sure passengers do, too.
- Obey speed limits, especially in construction and school zones.
- Be alert when walking or biking, and make eye contact with drivers.
No DUI NoCo’s work continues
At No DUI NoCo, we share CDOT’s Vision Zero: A commitment to continuing to fight for traffic safety until we see zero fatal or serious-injury causing crashes in our region.
Let’s continue to support smarter laws, safer roads, and stronger choices behind the wheel. Together, we can ensure every Coloradan makes it home safely.
Make the Call. Drive like lives depend on it – because they do.
No DUI NoCo is a nonprofit coalition committed to eliminating impaired driving in Northern Colorado through education, prevention, and community action.
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