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:
- 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:
- Presidents Day weekend (February 13 – 16, 2026)
- St. Patrick’s Day weekend (March 14 – 17, 2026)
- Cinco de Mayo (May 5, 2026)
- Memorial Day weekend (May 22 – 25, 2026)
- July Fourth weekend (July 3 – July 5, 2026)
- Labor Day weekend (September 4 – 7, 2026)
- Halloween (October 31, 2025)
- Thanksgiving weekend (November 25 – November 29, 2026)
The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) website posts advanced notice of upcoming sobriety checkpoints.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.
You can try to avoid going through a DUI checkpoint as long as you break no traffic rules doing so.
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.
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).
- See Michigan Dept. of State Police v. Sitz (1990) 496 US 444; People v. Rister (Colo. 1990) 803 P.2d 483Orr v. People (Colo. 1990) .
- DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, March 2015 Edition, Participant Guide. CRS 42-4-1301.
