Pikes Peak Region Trail Finder

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Colorado wildlife officials are setting up checkpoints on an interstate highway checking every non-commercial vehicle for poaching.

On Monday, the heavily staffed operation was up and running on an unidentified interstate highway and began catching violators.

According to KJCT-TV, violators can be fined or arrested.

The wildlife checkpoint is the first in Colorado on an interstate since 1993 That is when more than 1,250 vehicles were searched on Raton Pass and thousands of hunters were cited. Authorities said three tons of illegal game meat was confiscated.