Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — The Colorado State Patrol, city police officers and Routt County deputies will be out in force this holiday weekend to enforce laws against drunken driving.

"In Routt County, people have started to become wiser when driving," said state trooper Brad Keadle. "They know that if they drive under the influence, they're going to get caught."

According to the Department of Transportation, 42 people died in Colorado last July and August in traffic accidents in which a drunk driver was involved.

"Everybody knows that driving drunk is stupid and if you do it you are being irresponsible," said Assistant Police Chief Art Fiebing.

Three to five state patrol cars will be on local highways during the weekend, compared to the usual two. The Steamboat Springs Police Department will have extra officers on duty through the weekend to enforce drunk driving laws, Fiebing said.

"We want people to enjoy the weekend, but to not drive drunk," Fiebing said. "If you do, we're going to take you to jail."

Keadle said police will also be looking for any unusal behavior, including driving under the influence of drugs.

"A lot of people don't realize all of the people who drive under the influence of drugs it's not just alcohol," Keadle said. "We'll be targeting both DUIs and DUIDs."

Alternative modes of transportation are available in Steamboat. Steamboat Transit is increasing its services over the holiday to make traveling for tourists and locals more convenient, said Jonathon Flint, operations specialist for Steamboat Transit.

Throughout the weekend, the free buses will offer the standard 20-minute service on fixed routes and there will be an on-call service for downtown. On Tuesday, there will be four extra buses running from downtown after the fireworks display, and buses will detour to Yampa and Ninth streets to drop off people at the foot bridge.

Other alternatives to driving are taxis and walking, Fiebing said.

To reach Larissa Keever call 871-4208 or e-mail lkeever@amigo.net