Denver, CO – Drivers across Colorado are being urged to use extreme caution this Blackout Wednesday, as one of the busiest drinking nights of the year merges with early Thanksgiving traffic along major corridors including I-25, I-70, and US-36.
According to Alcohol.org, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving—widely known as Blackout Wednesday or “Drinksgiving”—has become one of the nation’s highest alcohol-consumption nights. In 2022, liquor orders spiked 156% compared to the previous Wednesday, while beer sales rose 85% and cocktail orders increased 69%. Health officials say holiday stress, long weekends and social gatherings contribute to a significant rise in binge drinking.
National traffic-safety data shows motorists are 55% more likely to encounter an impaired driver on Thanksgiving compared to an average day. From 2017 to 2021, more than 830 people nationwide were killed in drunk-driving crashes during the Thanksgiving travel period.
The Colorado State Patrol, along with police in Denver, Colorado Springs, Aurora, Fort Collins, Boulder and Greeley, are expanding DUI enforcement Wednesday night. Troopers say I-25, I-70, US-36, and busy nightlife districts—including Denver’s LoDo, South Broadway, Boulder’s Pearl Street, Old Town Fort Collins and college hubs statewide—often see elevated impairment-related incidents as students return home and bar crowds swell.
Nationally, cities such as Indianapolis and Minneapolis report that Blackout Wednesday sometimes surpasses New Year’s Eve and St. Patrick’s Day for DUI arrests. Colorado officials warn the state faces the same risks, particularly with visitors traveling into the mountains early for the holiday weekend and ski season.
Drivers are urged to avoid late-night travel, arrange sober transportation and report suspected impaired motorists immediately.
