Independence Day celebrations ended behind bars for some and in tragedy for others in Colorado.

Two people died in separate fatal crashes on July 4, one on Interstate 70 in Garfield County and one near Crawford in Delta County that is suspected to involve alcohol use, the Colorado State Patrol said.

Also, a total of 88 misdemeanor, six felony and 17 DUI/DUID arrests along with 50 seatbelt citations were made statewide on the holiday, according to a news release from the State Patrol.

Trooper Josh Lewis said that was similar to the arrests to 2011.

“During the summer months is obviously one of the busier times of the year,” Lewis said. “It’s when more people are traveling, and obviously when the weather gets hotter more people are having parties outside and such.”

Law enforcement officers were out in force as part of The Colorado State Patrol’s 100 Days of Heat campaign.

“We have more saturation patrols out,” said Colorado State trooper Jim Schmidt. “We add troopers on the road during the holiday events, and if there are any events the community is conducting we’d be there too.”

The campaign, intended to reduce the number of fatal crashes and get drunken drivers off the road, runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Still, in 2011 traffic fatalities were up 19 percent from 2010.

So far this year, number seem to have declined slightly.

Lewis said there were 200 fatal traffic crashes by this point in 2011, with 188 of those involving drugs or alcohol. This year, there have been 194 fatal crashes with 182 involving alcohol or drug use — down about 3 percent from 2011.

“Certainly we’re doing our best to eliminate it as far down as possible,” Lewis said. “Every life saved is obviously a victory for us.”

Schmidt urged anyone going out to plan their evening in advance and either establish a designated driver or have a contingency plan, such as calling a cab, staying in a hotel or, for military personnel, calling their command.

“Just be responsible when you’re out there, because if you’re not responsible eventually you’re going to get caught or you’re going to get in an accident and hurt or kill someone,” Schmidt said.