The Steamboat Springs Police Department received 44 “Report Every Drunk Driver Immediately” calls in the past year, 12 more than the same period from 2023 to 2024.

Report Every Drunk Driver Immediately, or REDDI reports, are citizen-made calls to inform law enforcement of a potentially impaired driver.

By dialing 911 or *CSP (*277), citizens who witness unusual driving behavior that could indicate intoxication can report the vehicle, allowing officers to locate the driver, make contact and remove impaired drivers from the road.

From June 2024 to June 2025, Steamboat police responded to 44 REDDI reports, resulting in nine arrests for driving under the influence.

In the same period from 2023 to 2024, Steamboat police made six DUI arrests from 32 REDDI reports.

According to Steamboat police Det. Michael Buccino, the rise in REDDI reports and DUI arrests can be largely attributed to heightened awareness around REDDI reports, as well as increased patrols.

“We’ve hired on more officers who are a lot more proactive and get out there, and are out there when we receive these REDDI reports,” said Buccino. “The easiest way that we can catch REDDI reports is when we’re out in town driving around.”

In the past year, Steamboat police were unable to locate the subject of 20 REDDI reports. Buccino said this is typically due to vague vehicle descriptions and timing. From 2023 to 2024, police were unable to locate 16 suspects.

Buccino emphasized the importance of reporting a potentially impaired driver as soon as possible to help law enforcement track down the suspect. Detailed vehicle descriptions, accurate location and direction of travel are also crucial facts in helping officers to quickly contact the suspect.

To be on the lookout for impaired drivers, law enforcement encourages paying attention to weaving, varying speeds and making bad passes and risky decisions.

To give a detailed vehicle description, officers ideally need the make and model of the vehicle, as well as any unique identifying features such as stickers or damage. Providing a license plate number is particularly beneficial.

“It’s helpful to have eyes in other places,” said Colorado State Patrol Corporal Andrew Bogue. “We don’t have troopers and officers everywhere. A lot of times, if a citizen witnesses something that we’re not there to see ourselves, it’s helpful to stop somebody based on somebody else’s witness statements.”

The Steamboat Springs Police Department requires confirmation that the suspect is believed to be impaired other than through observed driving actions, added Buccino.

“Somebody has to report that they were in contact with that person and they observed intoxication,” Buccino said. “That means that they saw them drinking while they were in the vehicle, saw them stumble to get into the vehicle, or other factors.”

In contrast, the Colorado State Patrol can contact the suspect of a REDDI report on observed driving actions alone.

Bogue noted that reporting parties still must obey traffic laws — including the Colorado hands-free law — while making a REDDI report.

To safely and legally make a REDDI report, drivers are urged to have a passenger make the call or to use a hands-free device.

“REDDI reports keep our community safe,” said Buccino. “It can save a life.”