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Summer in Denver brings longer days, concerts on the lawn, scenic drives up Mount Evans, and weekend getaways to the Rockies. That same seasonal cheer can also mean increased DUI checkpoint activity — especially around festivals, sporting events, and holiday weekends.
At the Law Offices of Steven J. Pisani, we know motorists want to enjoy Colorado’s summer while staying safe and within the law. As your Denver DUI defense lawyer, we walk you through what to expect at DUI checkpoints, what you are legally required to do, and how we can protect your rights and future.
Every year, Colorado ramps up DUI enforcement during warm months and holidays. The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) reported preliminary data showing 203 fatal crashes in 2024 involved impairment, 30 percent of all road deaths, down from 227 in 2023 and the lowest since 2019. Still, DUI remains a top concern: in 2023, 218 fatalities involved impaired drivers, a 23.8 percent drop from 2022, yet still 30 percent of all traffic deaths .
CDOT sets up checkpoints backed by more than $10 million in federal grants to deter impaired driving. The Colorado State Patrol and local police work together to strategically deploy checkpoints during high‑risk periods—summer weekends, the 4th of July, and Labor Day—to keep communities safer.
Yes — Colorado permits DUI checkpoints, but only under strict rules. The U.S. Supreme Court has recognized DUI checkpoints as exceptions to probable cause requirements due to public safety benefits. Colorado guidelines under CDOT require:
If authorities fail to follow these requirements, such as allowing random or discriminatory stops, failing to warn drivers, or lacking supervision, courts may suppress evidence gathered there . That means DUI arrests stemming from an improper checkpoint may be invalidated.
Here is a step‑by‑step breakdown of what happens when you approach a DUI checkpoint:
Officers are also allowed to run your information through NCIC and state databases. Outstanding warrants, suspended licenses, or unregistered vehicles may lead to arrest.
As we represent clients facing DUI charges in Denver, CO, and throughout Colorado, we emphasize the following essential rights:
You have the right not to answer questions beyond providing identification. You can politely say: “I prefer to remain silent.” This prevents unintentional self‑incrimination.
You must roll down your window and hand over your license and registration. Beyond that, you may refuse consent to search your vehicle. Officers must have probable cause before searching. Without such cause, you do not need to comply.
Pre‑arrest field sobriety tests (walk‑and‑turn, one‑leg‑stand) are voluntary in all U.S. states. However, Colorado’s implied consent law requires submission to chemical testing — breath or blood — once arrested for DUI . Refusing a pre‑arrest test is your legal right; refusing chemical tests after arrest can result in license suspension.
Colorado imposes two main impairment standards:
If your BAC is below 0.05%, you can still be arrested if officers observe signs of impairment, such as erratic driving or physical evidence.
Colorado law treats DUI as a misdemeanor, but it escalates to a Class 4 felony after three prior DUI convictions . Penalties vary depending on the charge:
Colorado’s criminal and administrative costs often exceed $13,500 when fees, interlock device installation, and insurance hikes are added.
Drivers often make avoidable errors:
If you are arrested at a checkpoint, we at the Law Offices of Steven J. Pisani immediately review every detail — checkpoint procedures, stop patterns, signage — to identify rule violations or rights infringements. We also scrutinize field sobriety and chemical test administration.
We may suppress key evidence or negotiate reduced charges by challenging improper stops or testing processes. We know local prosecutors well — particularly those in Denver County — and we strive to resolve cases favorably through dismissal, plea to lesser offenses, or minimized sentencing.
We are not just defense attorneys; we are driven advocates who understand summer in Colorado:
Even compliant drivers may face legal challenges if a stop was invalid. Our defense team can investigate and support your case, no matter your demeanor at the checkpoint.
In summer 2025, CDOT will promote DUI awareness through knockout DUI enforcement campaigns. Checkpoints are expected during:
Checkpoint maps and public announcements help drivers avoid them, but knowing your rights if you encounter one unexpectedly is key.
Our team can move fast to preserve breath samples, challenge probable cause, and explore all legal defenses.
As your criminal defense attorney in Denver, CO, our responsibilities include:
We advocate for reducing charges from DUI to DWAI, avoiding ignition interlock mandates, and protecting your rights at every step.
Yes. You must provide license and registration, but you can remain silent otherwise.
Yes. Officers need probable cause for vehicle searches. Without probable cause, you may decline.
Field sobriety tests before arrest are voluntary. After arrest, implied consent requires a breath or blood test — refusal can lead to license suspension.
They are seasonal, especially during high‑traffic summer and heavy holiday weekends. Locations are often publicly announced.
Turning around to avoid a checkpoint is legal. Checkpoints must be visible and ideally publicized in advance.
Picture cruising down Colfax Avenue at dusk, heading home from a Rockies game. You see flashing lights and pointed forms, a shaded lane marked “Checkpoint Ahead.” That moment can be unnerving.
At that moment, take a breath. We urge drivers to remain polite, speak only when needed and document what happens. Summer in Denver is beautiful — we help you navigate its beauty without legal fallout.
Summer DUI checkpoints are real — and not always by the book. At the Law Offices of Steven J. Pisani, we defend clients across Denver and Colorado step by step. We will:
Your freedom, license, and future matter deeply to us. When checkpoints loom this summer, know us as your ally, defender, and voice in Denver courts.
