****  For Immediate Release  ****
Northern Colorado Nonprofit Highlights Dangers of Teen Impaired Driving During Prom Season

March 31, 2026
Northern Colorado - As prom season approaches for northern Colorado, No DUI NoCo, a local coalition and campaign dedicated to preventing impaired driving, is calling on students, parents, and community members to prioritize safety and responsible decision-making during this memorable time of the year. While prom is a time for celebration and creating lasting memories, it is also a time when many young people engage in risky behaviors, particularly driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

Each year, impaired driving involving alcohol and marijuana contributes to preventable tragedies affecting young people and their families. Roughly one-third of alcohol-related teen traffic fatalities occur during prom season (NHTSA), between April and June. The combination of excitement, peer pressure, and the desire to celebrate often leads to poor decision-making, putting not only the lives of the young drivers at risk but also those of their passengers and other road users.

While alcohol is most commonly associated with “impaired driving,” impaired driving can also result from other substances, including marijuana and prescription drugs. The legal penalties in Colorado are standardized for any impairing substance. It is crucial for parents and educators to address all forms of impairment and emphasize the importance of making safe choices.

“Prom night is a milestone we want people to remember for good reasons, not tragic ones. We encourage the community to plan ahead, talk as a family, and make sure every ride home is a sober one.”  -Heather Vesgaard, Executive Director - Partners

From 2019-2021, NHTSA conducted a study at several trauma centers and medical examiner offices involving drivers who were seriously injured or killed. The study found that about 26% of those drivers had active THC, which is found in marijuana, in their system.

Pop culture romanticizes drinking or getting high with friends post-prom as part of the complete prom experience. And while we know 41% of teens aged 16 to 19 indicated it was likely they or their friends will drink or use drugs on prom night (AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety), the goal of No DUI NoCo is to keep anyone who is impaired off the road.

Prom Season Teen Impaired Driving Statistics

• Statistics show that roughly one-third of alcohol-related teen traffic fatalities occur between April and June — the peak of prom and graduation season (NHTSA).
• 54% of students who drink on prom night have four or more alcoholic beverages (AAA).
• 90% of teens believe their peers will likely drink and drive on prom night (AAA).
• Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) reports that motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among teens in the state.
• In 2023 alone, 119 roadway fatalities involved drivers aged 20 or younger, marking a 59% increase over the past five years (CDOT).

• Between 2010 and 2021, documented marijuana-related crashes rose 475% and car crashes due to drunk driving grew 9.4%.

• More than 85% of teens say they or their peers are likely to drive impaired instead of calling their parents for help because they are afraid of getting in trouble. Just 21% of teens have called their parents to pick them up because they or their driver was impaired.
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Hire a ride – A limo ride is a special addition to prom night and ensures teens, who are already excited and distracted, won’t drive impaired.
Talk about rules – Talk to your teen before prom night about expectations and road safety, and come up with a plan in case they find themselves in a tricky situation. Start with the CDC’s Teen Driving Agreement for a list of talking points.
Keep your home open – Let your teen know your house is home base for them and their friends on prom night; bonus if you have snacks, beverages, movies, and/or games.
Set an example – Always drive responsibly; your teen is watching you.
 

No DUI NoCo is working to get the word out about the dangers and consequences of impaired driving and offering solutions and tips on how to avoid or curb the effects on the greater community. No DUI NoCo, a coalition and campaign born out of the need to address the problem of impaired driving in Larimer and Weld Counties, is working to prevent driving under the influence of alcohol or other substances. This project is a joint effort between law enforcement, government agencies, alcohol and cannabis retailers, local nonprofits, and community members, working together to encourage the general public to “Make the Call” to end impaired driving.

No DUI NoCo is focusing on prevention efforts - education, tools, and messaging for groups and individuals who tend to risk driving regularly with elevated BACs, and who are involved in a higher number of alcohol-related crashes. Studies have shown that young people, ages 16-24, tend to have the highest number of drivers involved in DUI/DWI crashes with a BAC at or above legal intoxication levels and are the most likely group to drive within 2 hours of consuming cannabis (Colorado Department of Transportation). The goal of the next arm of the No DUI campaign is to reduce the number of DUI/DWI related crashes with this age group at the wheel.
 
No DUI encourages all citizens to remain vigilant and to plan ahead when consuming alcohol. If you are the designated driver, make a commitment to 100% sobriety to keep you, your friends, and your family safe.
If you see an impaired driver on the road, please “Make the Call” and contact local law enforcement (911) immediately.
Remember: If you feel different, you drive different.

 NO DUI NoCo Mission:
The No DUI NoCo coalition and campaign was born out of the need to address the problem of impaired driving in our community. The goal is to prevent driving under the influence of alcohol or other substances by increasing community responsibility for safe and responsible driving.

Our campaign is encouraging the public to “Make the Call” to end impaired driving in our community. Make the Call to get a safe ride home. Make the Call about whether you should get behind the wheel, and Make the Call to report suspected impaired drivers. Driving under the influence IS an emergency - please call 911 if you see someone you suspect is driving impaired.

Partners, who absorbed this project from the former nonprofit, Team Wellness & Prevention, is the lead agency on this five-year project. Partners has engaged a steering committee and named the project NO DUI NOCO (formerly No DUI Larimer).

Contact: Heather Vesgaard, Executive Director - Partners    hvesgaard@poweredbypartners.org