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COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- A designated driver program in Colorado Springs has put the brakes on its services.

Designated Driver of Colorado Springs closed its doors after a number of its sponsors shut the door on it.

Since the non-profit  program started New Year's Day in 2009, more than 12,000 people and their vehicles have been given a free ride home. The service is funded by local sponsors and donations from customers. This year alone, Designated Driver has provided about 5,000 rides.

Recently the program's income took a big hit.

"As of Friday night, our service is no longer available," Nonie Rispin, the program's founder and executive director, said.

The cancellation of service came as a result of many of the Designated Driver's sponsors opting out of the program. Rispin said their major sponsors dropped them when the program raised the sponsorship rates due to the increase in call volume.

"We based the increases on the amount of usage from these locations," she said. "These locations represent 90 percent of the rides that we provide."

But Rispin said the cancellation should hopefully only be temporary.

"It breaks my heart, but I am not a quitter," she said.

Rispin founded the program after her cousin was killed by a drunk driver.

"I will not give up on providing this service to this community. I will find a way to bring it back."

A fundraiser for the Designated Driver program will be held at Meadow Muffins Bar and Grill in Old Colorado City Friday beginning at 8 p.m.

For more information about the Designated Driver of Colorado Springs, click here.