Colorado DUI checkpoints are roadblocks where police stop and check drivers for signs of intoxication. In Colorado Springs, the police typically conduct these sobriety checkpoints on high-traffic streets during major holidays and events.
The most recent DUI checkpoints occurred on:
- Presidents Day weekend (February 13 – 16, 2026)
- St. Patrick’s Day weekend (March 12 – 18, 2026)
- Cinco de Mayo (May 5, 2026)
- Memorial Day weekend (May 22 – 25, 2026)
- Super Bowl Sunday (February 8, 2026)
- New Year’s Eve & Day (December 31, 2025 – January 1, 2026)
Upcoming DUI checkpoints in Colorado Springs will likely occur:
- July Fourth weekend (July 3 – July 5, 2026)
- Labor Day weekend (September 4 – 7, 2026)
- Halloween (October 31, 2026)
- Thanksgiving weekend (November 25 – November 29, 2026)
The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) website posts statewide impaired-driving enforcement periods, during which drivers may see saturation patrols and sobriety checkpoints. CDOT does not always identify the exact checkpoint locations in advance.1 
Stopping at DUI Checkpoints
If you see a DUI sobriety roadblock in the distance in Colorado Springs, you may take an alternate route to avoid the checkpoint as long as you do not violate any traffic laws in the process.
For example, you cannot make a U-turn over a median or drive in reverse, etc. Once you arrive at the roadblock, you must follow the police’s directions. Sometimes they stop every vehicle. Sometimes they stop every other vehicle and wave the others through.2
How Police Check for DUI at Checkpoints
First, the Colorado Springs police observe how well you follow directions, such as
- stopping your car,
- rolling down your window,
- answering questions, and
- getting your registration and insurance.
Meanwhile, the police are watching you for other signs of intoxication, such as:
- bloodshot eyes,
- slurred speech,
- an odor of alcohol or marijuana, or
- lack of coordination, such as dropping your driver’s license
Police will also ask if you have been drinking. If you admit that you have – or if you deny it but display any of the above signs – they will likely ask you to exit the car.
At that point, you will be asked to take a preliminary breath test on a roadside breathalyzer machine and to perform three standardized field sobriety tests:
- the walk-and-turn, where you take nine heel-to-toe steps back and forth while counting each step;
- the one-legged-stand, where you stand on one leg for 30 seconds while counting aloud; and
- the horizontal gaze nystagmus, where the police hold up a pen (or similar object), which you follow with your eyes
The preliminary breath test and field sobriety tests are all optional, so you are advised to politely decline to take them.3 Finally, the police will decide whether they have sufficient probable cause to arrest you for either:
- driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI),
- DUI per se,
- driving while ability impaired (DWAI), or
- underage drinking and driving (UDD).
Fortunately, there are many ways to try to beat a drunk driving charge in Colorado.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are DUI checkpoints legal in Colorado Springs?
Yes. While some states have banned them, Colorado law (upheld by People v. Rister) permits sobriety checkpoints. However, law enforcement must follow strict constitutional guidelines to ensure the stop is legal.
This includes providing advance public notice, using a neutral and non-discriminatory vehicle selection process (such as stopping every third car), and ensuring the checkpoint is clearly marked with signs and lights for safety.
Can I lawfully turn around to avoid a DUI checkpoint?
Yes, you have the right to avoid a checkpoint as long as you do so without breaking any Colorado traffic laws. If you see a roadblock ahead in Colorado Springs and can safely and legally make a U-turn or turn onto a side street, police generally cannot pull you over solely for avoiding the stop.
However, if you commit a traffic violation (like a signaling error or an illegal turn) while doing so, an officer can use that as “reasonable suspicion” to pull you over.
Do I have to answer “How much have you had to drink?” at a checkpoint?
No. While you are legally required to provide your driver’s license, registration, and proof of insurance, you have a Fifth Amendment right to remain silent. You do not have to disclose your destination or whether you have consumed alcohol.
Many defense attorneys advise politely stating, “I am exercising my right to remain silent,” to avoid providing evidence that can be used against you in court.
Can I refuse a field sobriety test or a breathalyzer at the scene?
In Colorado, standardized field sobriety tests (SFSTs)—like the walk-and-turn or one-leg stand—are strictly voluntary. You can politely decline them without immediate legal penalty.
However, once you are lawfully arrested, Colorado’s Expressed Consent Law (C.R.S. 42-4-1301.1) requires you to take a chemical test (breath or blood). Refusing a test after arrest can lead to an automatic one-year license revocation and the refusal being used as evidence of guilt.
How long can police detain me at a DUI checkpoint?
Police may briefly stop vehicles at a sobriety checkpoint to check for signs of impaired driving. If officers do not observe evidence of impairment or another violation, they should allow you to continue on your way without unnecessary delay. If they develop reasonable suspicion that you are under the influence, they may extend the investigation.
Do police need a warrant to set up a DUI checkpoint in Colorado?
No. Colorado courts have held that properly conducted sobriety checkpoints do not require individual warrants. However, law enforcement agencies must follow constitutional safeguards, including advance planning, supervisory approval, neutral vehicle selection procedures, and adequate safety measures.
Can I be arrested at a DUI checkpoint even if I pass the field sobriety tests?
Yes. Field sobriety tests are only one factor officers consider when deciding whether probable cause exists for a DUI arrest. Police may also rely on physical signs of impairment, statements you make, your driving behavior, witness observations, and chemical test results.
Can police search my vehicle at a DUI checkpoint?
Not automatically. A sobriety checkpoint does not give police the right to search your vehicle without legal justification. Officers generally need your consent, probable cause, a warrant, or another recognized exception to the warrant requirement before conducting a search.
What happens if I am under 21 and stopped at a DUI checkpoint?
Drivers under 21 can face charges for Underage Drinking and Driving (UDD) if their blood alcohol concentration is 0.02% or higher. This is a lower threshold than the 0.08% limit that applies to most adult drivers.
Are DUI checkpoints the same as saturation patrols?
No. A DUI checkpoint is a fixed roadblock where officers stop vehicles according to a predetermined plan. A saturation patrol involves additional officers actively patrolling an area and looking for signs of impaired driving. Colorado law enforcement agencies often use both tactics during holiday enforcement periods.
Can passengers be questioned at a DUI checkpoint?
Police may speak with passengers during a stop, but passengers generally are not required to answer investigative questions. However, officers may investigate further if they observe evidence of criminal activity or believe a passenger has committed an offense.
Do Colorado Springs police announce DUI checkpoints in advance?
Law enforcement agencies often provide advance notice of planned impaired-driving enforcement campaigns through news releases, social media posts, and public announcements. Specific checkpoint locations are not always disclosed beforehand.
Can a DUI checkpoint stop lead to charges other than DUI?
Yes. Officers may issue citations or make arrests for other offenses discovered during the stop, such as driving without a valid license, possessing an open container of alcohol, having outstanding warrants, or possessing illegal drugs.
Can I record the police during a DUI checkpoint stop?
In most situations, yes. As long as you do not interfere with the officers’ duties, you generally have the right to record your interaction with law enforcement from inside your vehicle or another lawful location.
What should I do if I believe a DUI checkpoint was conducted illegally?
You should make note of everything you remember about the stop, including the location, time, signage, officer instructions, and how vehicles were selected. A DUI defense lawyer can review whether the checkpoint complied with constitutional requirements and whether any evidence may be challenged in court.
What documents do I have to provide at a DUI checkpoint?
Colorado drivers are generally required to provide their driver’s license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance upon request. While you must identify yourself and provide these documents, you do not have to answer potentially incriminating questions about drinking or drug use.
What is Colorado’s “The Heat Is On” campaign?
“The Heat Is On” is a statewide impaired-driving enforcement campaign coordinated by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), the Colorado State Patrol, and local law enforcement agencies.
During these periods, additional officers are deployed to look for impaired drivers through saturation patrols, increased traffic enforcement, and, in some areas, sobriety checkpoints. The campaign is commonly scheduled around holidays and special events such as New Year’s Eve, the Super Bowl, St. Patrick’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Halloween, and Thanksgiving.
CDOT typically announces upcoming enforcement periods in advance through news releases and public awareness campaigns.
Additional Resources
For more information, refer to the following:
- Alcoholics Anonymous – 12-step program for overcoming alcoholism.
- Drunk Driving Overview – NHTSA page on drunk driving statistics and prevention.
- Impaired Driving – Get the Facts – CDC fact sheet on impaired driving.
- The DUI Process – Official Colorado DMV page on what happens if you are arrested for DUI.
- MADD – Non-profit organization devoted to stopping drunk driving.
Legal References
- Super Bowl Weekend DUI Enforcement Begins Today, heartoftherockiesradio.com (February 6, 2026). Brian Sherrod, DUI patrols across Colorado boosted during St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, CBS News (March 10, 2026).
- See Michigan Dept. of State Police v. Sitz (1990) 496 US 444; People v. Rister (Colo. 1990) 803 P.2d 483; Orr v. People (Colo. 1990) 803 P.2d 509.
- DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, March 2015 Edition, Participant Guide. C.R.S. 42-4-1301.
