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 Colorado roads, 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?
The Defense Milestone Score checks 10 critical defense behaviors specific to DUI cases. Takes 2 minutes. Instant results.
Take the Free Defense ScoreDUI Defense Playbook — $97
26 questions your DUI attorney hopes you never ask, a case stage roadmap, red flag checklist, and a case progress scorecard. Instant PDF download — calibrated for Colorado DUI defendants.
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. Consult a Colorado-licensed attorney for guidance specific to your case.