Colorado DWI & DUI Laws
BAC limits, penalties, license suspension periods, and ignition interlock requirements for Colorado drivers.
State Guide
Colorado DUI Laws at a Glance
Impaired driving is prosecuted under DUI in Colorado, with a 0.08% BAC threshold. The penalty structure that follows a conviction (license suspension, interlock requirements, how prior offenses are counted) is entirely state-specific.
| Detail | Colorado Rule | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Statutory Term | DUI | The specific offense name and code section vary by state |
| Standard BAC Limit | 0.08% | The standard threshold used in nearly every state |
| First-Offense License Suspension | 3 months | Administrative and criminal suspensions can run separately; actual length depends on case specifics |
| Ignition Interlock Device | Required | Required for all offenders, including first-time convictions |
| Lookback Period | 10 years | How many years a prior offense counts toward a repeat charge |
How BAC Testing and Implied Consent Work
BAC is measured through a breath, blood, or urine test under "implied consent" laws that exist in every state: driving on public roads counts as consent to testing when there's a lawful arrest for suspected impairment. Refusal triggers its own penalty, typically an automatic suspension, independent of the underlying DUI case.
License Suspension: Two Separate Tracks
Colorado, like many states, separates the administrative side (a motor vehicle agency suspension that can start almost immediately after arrest) from the criminal case working through court. The administrative and first-offense suspension period in Colorado is 3 months.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions: DUI in Colorado
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What is the BAC limit in Colorado?Colorado's standard illegal BAC threshold is 0.08%. This matches the standard used in nearly every U.S. state. Commercial drivers and drivers under 21 face lower thresholds in every state, including Colorado.
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How long is a license suspended for a first DUI offense in Colorado?Colorado's first-offense suspension period is generally 3 months. This can involve both an administrative suspension (handled by the state's motor vehicle agency, often starting soon after arrest) and consequences tied to the criminal case itself, which can run on a different timeline.
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Does Colorado require an ignition interlock device?In Colorado, an ignition interlock device is required for all offenders, including first-time convictions. Requirements can also depend on whether a high BAC was involved or whether it's a repeat offense.
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What does "DUI" mean in Colorado?DUI is Colorado's statutory term for operating a vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs above the legal threshold. Different states use different terms (DUI, DWI, OWI, OUI, OVI, and others) for what is fundamentally the same category of offense, though the exact legal definitions and penalty structures differ by state.
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What happens if I refuse a BAC test in Colorado?Like every state, Colorado has an implied consent law: refusing a lawfully requested BAC test after a DUI arrest triggers its own penalty, typically an automatic license suspension, separate from and in addition to any penalty from the underlying charge itself.
Sources & References
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Drunk Driving official program overview
- Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Alcohol Interlock Laws by State
- Colorado BAC limit, suspension period, and interlock requirement figures compiled from published state-by-state legal reference tables; confirm current figures against official CO state code before relying on them
- Governors Highway Safety Association, Alcohol-Impaired Driving State Laws