With hundreds of thousands of bikers expected to pass through Colorado en route to Sturgis, CDOT and law enforcement agencies kick off a coordinated DUI enforcement blitz.
All Eyes on the Highways as Rally Season Ramps Up
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — Starting Thursday, Colorado’s highways will be under heightened surveillance as law enforcement agencies across the state launch a coordinated DUI crackdown targeting motorcyclists during the annual migration to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) estimates that over 500,000 motorcyclists will be traveling through Colorado this weekend on their way to the famed rally in South Dakota. The surge brings with it increased risk—and increased enforcement.
“We know that impaired riding and impaired driving are major contributors to traffic deaths in Colorado,” said Sam Cole, CDOT’s Traffic Safety Manager. “That’s why this enforcement period is so critical. It keeps motorcyclists safe. It keeps drivers of passenger vehicles safe.”
More Than 50 Law Enforcement Agencies Join In
The campaign is part of CDOT’s ongoing effort to curb fatalities on Colorado roads, particularly during high-traffic events. More than 50 law enforcement agencies across the state will participate, focusing enforcement along key corridors including:
-
Interstate 25 (north-south)
-
Interstate 70 (east-west)
-
Interstate 76 (northeast to Nebraska)
Officers will be on the lookout for impaired riders, reckless driving, and other violations that tend to spike during long-distance rally travel.
Why It Matters: Motorcyclists Make Up 1 in 4 Road Fatalities
According to CDOT data, motorcyclists accounted for 24% of all traffic deaths in Colorado in 2024—a disproportionate figure given that motorcycles represent only a small fraction of total vehicles on the road.
| Colorado 2024 Traffic Stats | Number |
|---|---|
| Total Road Fatalities | 753 |
| Fatalities Involving Motorcyclists | 181 |
| % of Total Deaths Attributed to Bikers | 24% |
| Helmet Use Among Fatalities (est.) | ~55% |
“The margin for error on a motorcycle is razor-thin,” Cole emphasized. “Mix in alcohol or drugs, and you’re drastically increasing your odds of a crash—or worse.”
CDOT’s Safety Tips for Riders and Drivers
To reduce risk, CDOT is issuing reminders and safety guidelines not just for motorcyclists, but also for passenger vehicle drivers who may encounter more bikes on the road this week.
For Riders:
-
Ride sober and drug-free
-
Wear DOT-approved helmets
-
Watch for fatigue on long-distance trips
-
Avoid weaving or aggressive overtaking
For Drivers:
-
Check your blind spots frequently
-
Allow extra following distance
-
Expect sudden lane shifts from groups of riders
-
Never assume a bike is going slow—it may be approaching faster than it appears
The rally in Sturgis, South Dakota, kicks off this weekend and is expected to draw upward of 750,000 attendees over 10 days, many of them entering from western states like Colorado.
