Colorado DUI Laws
Colorado DUI Defense
What you're facing, what the deadlines are, and the questions your attorney needs to answer, specific to Colorado (CO) law.
BAC Limit
0.08 (DUI) / 0.05 (DWAI)
Enhanced BAC
0.15
Higher penalties above this
Lookback Period
Lifetime
Prior offenses count within
7 days-Day DMV Hearing Deadline
In Colorado, you have 7 days days from your arrest to request an administrative DMV hearing. Miss this deadline and your license suspension goes into effect automatically , even if the criminal case is later dismissed.
First Offense Penalties in Colorado
Implied Consent & Test Refusal
Like all 50 states, Colorado has an implied consent law, by driving on Coloradoroads, you've already agreed to submit to a chemical test (breath, blood, or urine) if an officer has probable cause to believe you're impaired.
Refusal Penalty
1-year license revocation
Colorado-Specific Detail
Colorado has a two-tier system: DWAI (0.05-0.079) is a lesser charge with lower penalties, but still goes on your record. Colorado uses a lifetime lookback, every prior DUI counts, no matter how old.
Is your Colorado DUI defense on track?
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26 questions that change how your next attorney meeting goes, a case stage roadmap, red flag checklist, and a case progress scorecard. Instant PDF download — calibrated for Colorado DUI defendants.
Other Colorado defense topics
Facing a different charge in Colorado? Penalty ranges, enhancements, and defense questions for related crimes:
Important: This page provides general legal information about Colorado DUI laws as of the date of publication. Laws change frequently. This is not legal advice. For guidance specific to your case, speaking with a Colorado-licensed attorney is one option, or take the free Masked Researcher’s First Read to see where your case stands.