CDOT message to Hispanic men: Buckle up!

DENVER – The Colorado Department of Transportation is encouraging Hispanic men to buckle up through a new program called Cita Con La Vita.

Seventy percent of Hispanic drivers and passengers killed in Colorado last year were men who were not wearing their seat belts.

The Hispanic population in Colorado is growing. Tragically, this growth is also seen in the higher numbers of Hispanic deaths and serious injuries on our highways." said Pam Hutton of CDOT.

CDOT hopes to bring awareness of the statistic by reaching out to Hispanic males during local lucha libre matches across metro Denver. Lucha libre, a Spanish phrase loosely translated into English as "free-style fighting," was chosen as a campaign theme because the Mexican professional wrestling is a strong part of Hispanic culture.

The Cita Con La Vida Community tour features live matches across the metro area with local lucha libre wrestlers. Actors from El Centro Su Teatro will perform skits during the matches to highlight the importance of seat belt safety.

"We believe that increasing awareness among the Hispanic community will result in greater seat belt use and save lives."said Hutton.

The first tour will be held Sunday, July 27 at the National Western Complex. It will feature professional wrestlers Felino, Pierrothito, Tsuki, Pequena, Violencia, Rocky Star, Joker, Coco Negro, Confusion y Fuerza Chicana and Cinta de Oro.

You can buy tickets at any Azteca Ranch Market, Tacos y Salsas Restaurants and Cinema Latino in Aurora.

A portion of proceeds will be used to buy car seats for disadvantaged Hispanic families throughout the metro area.

For more information, go to www.citaconlavida2008.org.