It’s no New Year’s Eve, especially since there’s no local stake this year, but the Super Bowl brings rowdy parties, fills bars and increases the risk for drunken drivers on the roads.

Law enforcement agencies will be on alert and have asked people to arrange designated drivers or to have a taxi at the ready come Sunday evening.

“There is going to be ramped-up law enforcement across the state looking for impaired drivers,” said Sam Cole, a spokesman for the Colorado Department of Transportation.

Last year, when the Denver Broncos played in the Super Bowl, the weekend brought 33 arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs in El Paso County, including arrests made by the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, Colorado State Patrol and the Fountain and Colorado Springs police departments. There were 327 arrests statewide.

This year, increased enforcement begins Friday evening and continues until 3 a.m. Monday.

It’s hard to say how that compares with a “normal” weekend, Cole said, because more troopers, officers and deputies were out on patrol than usual.

“Of course, there’s going to be more arrests during this time,” Cole said. “More officers are out there looking for impaired drivers.”

The Colorado Springs Police Department issued a news release Thursday asking people to choose between drinking and driving and not to plan to do both. Hosts should have cab companies’ phone numbers on hand and make sure they’re serving enough food – certainly something guests can get behind, too. Party throwers could also opt to serve dessert and coffee during the last quarter and put the alcohol aside.

“And, you know, keep an eye,” Cole said. “Keep an eye on your friends.”

No one should let a friend drive impaired, he said.

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