The Colorado Highway Patrol and Colorado Springs police are much more strict about DUI charges during the holiday season.  Every year, the Colorado Springs police see the number of drunk drivers rise and they would like to do anything possible to curve the number of people driving illegally, even if that means harsher penalties, fines or even jail time.

We spoke with Jeremy Brenner, a resident of Colorado Springs, who recently received a DUI charge following a family trip over Thanksgiving.  For the knowledge of other people who may be thinking about drinking and driving, Jeremy has asked us to share his story here.

Every year, my girlfriend and I drive up to Greeley to have Thanksgiving dinner with my mother and father-in-law.  My entire family gathers for the meal, to watch football and to a have a few drinks afterward.  Unfortunately, a few drinks turned into too many drinks this year.  I was having a few beers with my brothers throughout the day and we decided to keep drinking into the evening.  I knew I was pretty close to my limit, but I figured my girlfriend could drive us back to the Springs if I actually got too intoxicated.  Little did I know, my girlfriend was upstairs the entire time drinking wine with my mother.

When we both got ready to drive home, I asked her to drive.  She explained to me that she was not feeling at her best and that I should.  I told her I was a little intoxicated, but I felt I could handle the drive.  My mother offered to have us stay with her for the night, but we both felt we could make the two hour drive back to Colorado Springs.

We headed for Interstate 25 and began our trek home.  I was doing fine at first, but noticed my usual level of coordination was not there.  I was swerving quite a bit and was worried about my driving the closer we got to Colorado Springs.  We were able to make it past downtown Denver, but then I was pulled over close to home.  It was a very embarrassing ordeal and I was fined $1,500 for it, even after contacting a Colorado Springs DUI attorney.  Looking back on the situation, I wish we would have just stayed in Greeley and avoided this entirely. – Jeremy Brenner

If you find yourself in a similar situation as Jeremy, please do not attempt to drive.  If you choose to drink and drive, you could be pulled over, be arrested, endanger other people and have to pay for a Colorado Springs DUI attorney to get involved.  A Colorado Springs DUI is a serious offense and will be fully enforced by the law.  We hope this helps you if you are thinking about drinking and driving!