Coloradans who plan to drink alcohol as they celebrate New Year’s Eve on Saturday night have several options to get a free or discounted ride home — avoiding the risk of getting a DUI arrest by driving.
Whether you go out to a bar or a friend’s party, several organizations, including the Colorado Department of Transportation and local law firms, are offering ways to ride free or get reimbursed for taking Lyft and Uber or calling a taxi. In metro Denver, the Regional Transportation District is waiving fares starting at 7 p.m. and running some trains later than usual.
Authorities warn that they’ve stepped up drunken-driving enforcement this weekend.
“The new year brings plenty of parties around town to celebrate, and troopers are prepared to keep Coloradans safe by removing impaired drivers from our roads,” Colorado State Patrol Chief Matthew C. Packard said in a news release. “Our DUI enforcement efforts are vital, but we’re counting on all Coloradans to make responsible choices this holiday. Don’t end the year with a DUI — make a plan to get home safe and stick with it.”
Here are the options available for free rides:
RTD services are free from 7 p.m. Saturday to 7 a.m. Sunday
The zero-fare period is sponsored by Molson Coors, RTD says, and the promotion applies to all buses, train lines and on-call services, including Access-a-Ride and FlexRide.
While RTD is operating on normal weekend schedules, which have less frequent service, it says it has scheduled an extra late trip out of Union Station on the N-Line (12:56 a.m.) and the B-Line (1:09 a.m.), with two late trips for the G-Line, leaving at 12:31 a.m. and 1:01 a.m. The A, E and W lines already have final trips at 1 a.m. or later.
From the Central Business District’s 16th and Stout light-rail station, the D-Line has two late trips added (leaving at 1:15 a.m. and 1:45 a.m.) and the H-Line also has two extra late trips (1:21 a.m. and 1:51 a.m.).
But Union Station is the best bet for train service, since the D and H lines will have service interruptions starting at 8 p.m. because of the downtown fireworks shows. During the two shows, set for 9 p.m. and midnight, the MallRide shuttle won’t run.
CDOT offers code for $10 Lyft credits
Credits for $10 on Lyft are available in advance from CDOT under a promotion with the Governors Highway Safety Association, Lyft and Responsibility.org. As of Wednesday, CDOT said 1,300 credits had been used so far this month, and it was making 1,500 more available through Jan. 3. Until then, they can be redeemed any night, between 5 p.m. and 5 a.m.
To claim a credit, enter the code “NODUISNYE” on the Lyft app in the promotions or payments section (select “Add Lyft Pass”).
Reimbursements up to $35 for longer rides
There’s a better option for longer rides, or if CDOT’s credits are all claimed. The Sawaya Law Firm in Denver long has offered reimbursements of up to $35 for cab rides or Uber and Lyft rides home on New Year’s Eve to anyone who’s 21 or older and has a valid ID.
Keep the receipt and upload it within two weeks, along with a photo or scan of your photo ID, at www.sawayalaw.com/cab-program. Or you can send the receipt and photo ID copy via email to [email protected]
The reimbursement will be sent to the address on the ID, unless another is specified in the request.
Southern Front Range option
In Colorado Springs and Pueblo, the McDivitt Law Firm covers taxi rides home on New Year’s Eve with partner cab companies. To take part, revelers in Pueblo can order a cab from City Cab at (719) 543-2525. In Colorado Springs, zTrip (formerly Yellow Cab) is available at (719) 766-4567, or via the zTrip app (select “pay in car” when booking). Riders should mention the promotion when they get in the cab.
