Colorado DUI Laws

In the state of Colorado you will be charged with Driving Under the Influence (DUI) if your Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) is 0.08%, the minimum BAC known to impair everyone.

First Colorado DUI Offense

• 5 days to 1 year imprisonment
• $600 to $1000 fine
• 9-month license suspension
• 12 license points
• 48 to 96 hours community service
• Jail time may be waived in lieu of substance abuse program

Second Colorado DUI Offense

• 90 days to 1 year imprisonment
• $1000 to $1500 fine
• 1-year license suspension
• Ignition interlock must be installed prior to license reinstatement if within 5 years of previous DUI.
• 12 license points
• 60 to 120 hours community service

Third Colorado DUI Offense

• 70 days to 1 year imprisonment
• $900 to $1500 fine
• 2-year license suspension
• Ignition interlock must be installed prior to license reinstatement
• 12 license points
• 56 to 112 hours community service

Colorado also has laws regarding Driving While Ability Impaired (DWAI), which is a BAC 0.05% to 0.08%.

First Colorado DWAI Offense

• 2 to 180 days imprisonment
• $200 to $500 fine
• 8 license points
• 24 to 48 hours community service

Second Colorado DWAI Offense

• 90 days to 1 year imprisonment
• $1000 to $1500 fine
• 1-year license suspension
• 12 license points
• 60 to 120 hours community service

Third Colorado DWAI Offense

• 45 days to 1 year imprisonment
• $600 to $1000 fine
• 2-year license suspension
• 8 license points
• 48 to 96 hours community service

Colorado DWAI with Prior Colorado DUI Conviction

• 60 days to 1 year imprisonment
• $800 to $1200 fine
• 52 to 104 hours community service

Colorado DUI with Prior Colorado DWAI Conviction

• 70 days to 1 year imprisonment
• $900 to $1500 fine
• 56 to 112 hours community service

Colorado’s express consent law means that if you are pulled over for suspected DUI and you refuse to submit to a test, your license will be suspended for one year. If you refuse a second time, your license will be suspended for two years; third refusal, three years.

In each of the latter two events, you can apply for a restricted license with an ignition interlock device after one year.