Denver – Don't count on the luck of the Irish to avoid a DUI this St. Patrick's Day. The Colorado State Patrol and 63 law enforcement agencies have filed plans to crackdown on impaired drivers through the St. Patrick's Day holiday. The special Heat Is On enforcement begins at 6 p.m. Friday, March 13th and ends at 3 a.m., Wednesday, March 18th.

"Don't let the green beer and festive atmosphere fool you into thinking you'll get away with a crime like drunk driving," said Col. James Wolfinbarger, chief of the Colorado State Patrol. "Plan ahead before you party or you can plan on getting a DUI. Law enforcement agencies will be saturating the state looking for impaired drivers."

March has become a deadly month in Colorado for impaired driving. In 2007, March was the second deadliest month, behind June, for the alcohol-related fatalities, with 28 people killed in drunk driving crashes. (Alcohol-related fatal crash data for 2008 is not yet available).

"The combination of the St. Patrick's Day holiday, warmer weather and spring break has made us particularly concerned about March as a high alcohol-related fatality month," said Mike Nugent, manager of CDOT's Office of Transportation Safety. "We're putting people on warning that impaired driving is not acceptable on St. Patrick's Day or any day of the year. If you're over the limit, you'll be under arrest. It's that simple."

People convicted of DUI face serious consequences, including jail time, the loss of their driver's license, an ignition interlock on their vehicle, alcohol-treatment classes, higher insurance rates and dozens of other unanticipated expenses that can total more than $10,270.

During last year's St. Patrick's DUI enforcement period, 520 people were arrested for DUI. The Denver Police Department made 72 of those arrests, and they plan to be out in force through St. Patrick's Day.

"The Denver Police Department will continue its efforts to keep the streets safe for our citizens by vigorously enforcing the state's DUI laws and keeping dangerous drivers off our roads," said Division Chief David Quinones, Denver Police Department. "We ask that everyone celebrate responsibly when drinking alcohol and plan ahead by designating a sober driver or taking public transportation."