Ignition Interlock Laws in Colorado
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DUI Laws in Colorado
DUI and ignition interlock device (IID) regulations vary significantly across the United States, reflecting a patchwork of state-specific approaches to addressing impaired driving. Each state has different criteria for the installation of IIDs for DUI offenders, the duration of IID installation, procedures for IID removal, and penalties for tampering with the device. To ensure compliance with local laws, it is crucial to check with your state officials and continue reading relevant resources on the webpage for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
What to Know
- In Colorado, your license will be immediately confiscated if your BAC is above .08 or if you refuse a BAC test, even before a criminal conviction. You have a 7-day grace period with a temporary permit to request a hearing to challenge the revocation.
- Under Colorado DUI laws, if your BAC is .08% or higher, an ignition interlock device is mandatory for at least six months, even for a first offense. The requirement may be extended depending on BAC levels or if there are injuries or property damage.
- Driving While Ability Impaired (DWAI) is enforced for BAC levels starting at 0.05%. While fines and jail times are similar to those for DUI, an ignition interlock device is not required unless the DWAI is associated with a DUI offense.
Colorado DUI Resources
If you need to regain your license in Colorado, Guardian can guide you through the process quickly and affordably.
Every situation and state is unique, please consult with your attorney or your state licensing authority to confirm your requirements and obligations.
The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only. Information on this website may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information. This website contains links to other third-party websites for the convenience of our readers. Links from Guardian Interlock to other sites, or from other sites to the LifeSafer, do not constitute an endorsement by Guardian Interlock.
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Administrative License Revocation (ALR) Procedures
Colorado is one of 42 states that has implemented ALR, meaning that your license will be confiscated immediately if your BAC is above .08 OR if you refuse a BAC test. Your license will either be suspended or revoked at that point, even though you have not been officially convicted in a criminal trial.
You will be given a 7-day grace period during which you can drive under a temporary driving permit issued by the officer at the scene. During that time, you can request a hearing by an administrative law judge to challenge this case. If you do not request a hearing, your license will be automatically suspended on the 8th for 90 days. After the suspension period, you will be required to get an ignition interlock device.
Remember that this is a separate case from the judicial one, with separate authorities and rulings. This can be very influential upon the judicial procedures, but you must act quickly if you wish to challenge this.
Judicial Procedures
In Colorado, there are two levels of drunk driving laws:
- Driving While Under the Influence (DUI) law prohibits a person from driving when they have a BAC of .08% or higher. Courts are required to order the installation and monitoring of an interlock device for any driver whose BAC levels are .08% or higher, even for a first offense. The devices are required for a minimum of six months, with extensions if the driver has a high BAC at the time of arrest or if injury or property damages are involved.
- Driving While Ability Impaired (DWAI) law makes it illegal to drive with a lower BAC than most states. The DWAI law starts at 0.05 percent (BAC). DWAI fines and jail times are similar, however, an ignition interlock device is not required unless it is coupled with a previous or subsequent DUI offense.
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License Revocation, Fines, and Jail in Colorado
| Offense | Jail Time | Fines | License Revocation | IID Duration | Community Service | Program | Probation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Class 1 Misdemeanor | 5 days – 1 year | $600 – $1,000 | 9 months | 2 years | 48 – 96 hours | Level I alcohol education program (12-24 hours) | up to 2 years |
| Second Class 1 Misdemeanor | 10 days – 1 year | $600 – $1,500 | 1 year | 2 years | 60 – 120 hours | Level I alcohol education program (24-48 hours) | up to 4 years |
| Third Class 4 Felony | 2 – 6 years (with possibility of parole) | $1,500 – $5,000 | 2 years | 2 years | 120 – 240 hours | Level II alcohol treatment program and possibly a Level III program | up to 5 years |
| Aggravated DUI Felony | 1+ Years | $5,000+ | up to 3+ years | 2+ years | 120+ hours | Required participation in more intensive treatment programs | up to 5+ years |
Colorado IID Laws
Colorado has two sets of procedures that must be attended to when you have been charged with a DUI—administrative and judicial. We suggest you consult with a DUI attorney immediately to ensure you get the best advice for your circumstances as laws are always changing. For more in-depth advice on Colorado ignition interlock laws, check out our partner LifeSafer.