Colorado DUI Laws & Penalties
Last reviewed:
CO has TWO offenses: DUI (0.08+) and DWAI (0.05–0.079, 'driving while ability impaired') — a lesser included offense with real penalties and a common plea-down. Also a defined 'Persistent Drunk Driver' (PDD) status. THC per-se permissible inference at 5 ng/mL.
Overview
- Legal BAC limit: 0.08% (commercial 0.04%, under-21 0.02%, enhanced at 0.15%).
- Lookback period: lifetime (criminal counting) / 7 (habitual offender license rules). Priors count for life for offense-number purposes (DUI and DWAI both count); 4th offense = Class 4 felony (2015 law). Habitual traffic offender 5-year revocation uses a 7-year window.
- Primary statute: C.R.S. § 42-4-1301 (offenses); § 42-4-1307 (penalties)
0.15+ = 'Persistent Drunk Driver' designation even on a FIRST offense (2-year interlock + Level II education); 0.20+ adds 10-day mandatory jail on first conviction. DWAI tier starts at 0.05.
Penalties by offense
| Offense | Classification | Jail | Fine | License suspension | Interlock |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First offense | misdemeanor (DWAI first: lesser misdemeanor, 8 points) | DUI: 5 days (typically suspended w/ education) · DWAI: 2 days – 1 year (DWAI: 180 days); mandatory min 10 days if BAC 0.20+ | $200–$1,000 (DUI $600–1,000; DWAI $200–500; plus ~$500+ in stacked surcharges/costs) | 9-month revocation (DUI per se; DWAI first: NO revocation, 8 points) – 9 months; hardship: early reinstatement after 1 month with interlock (most first offenders) | Not required |
| Second offense | misdemeanor | 10 consecutive days mandatory – 1 year; mandatory min 10 days (in-home detention alternatives possible); 1 year of jail-backed suspended sentence conditions | $600–$1,500 (plus surcharges) | 1-year revocation – 1 year; hardship: interlock license after 1 month; PDD rules apply | Required |
| Third offense | misdemeanor | 60 consecutive days mandatory – 1 year; mandatory min 60 days | $600–$1,500 (plus surcharges) | 2-year revocation; habitual traffic offender 5-year revocation if 3rd major offense within 7 years – 5 years; hardship: interlock path | Required |
| Fourth+ offense | Class 4 felony (3 priors, lifetime) | 90 days–180 days as probation condition, or 2 years prison – 6 years prison; mandatory min 90 days jail if probation granted | $2,000–$500,000 (felony fine range; $2,000+ typical minimum) | 2-year revocation + PDD interlock – 5 years (habitual); hardship: interlock path post-revocation | Required |
First offense
- Classification: misdemeanor (DWAI first: lesser misdemeanor, 8 points)
- Jail: DUI: 5 days (typically suspended w/ education) · DWAI: 2 days – 1 year (DWAI: 180 days); mandatory min 10 days if BAC 0.20+
- Fine: $200–$1,000 (DUI $600–1,000; DWAI $200–500; plus ~$500+ in stacked surcharges/costs)
- License suspension: 9-month revocation (DUI per se; DWAI first: NO revocation, 8 points) – 9 months; hardship: early reinstatement after 1 month with interlock (most first offenders)
- Alternative disposition: DWAI plea-down is the standard marginal-BAC outcome; useful public service + probation typical.
- Interlock: Interlock for early reinstatement; MANDATORY 2 years if 0.15+ (PDD).
- 48–96 hours community service; Level I/II alcohol education.
Second offense
- Classification: misdemeanor
- Jail: 10 consecutive days mandatory – 1 year; mandatory min 10 days (in-home detention alternatives possible); 1 year of jail-backed suspended sentence conditions
- Fine: $600–$1,500 (plus surcharges)
- License suspension: 1-year revocation – 1 year; hardship: interlock license after 1 month; PDD rules apply
- Interlock: 2 years minimum interlock (PDD).
- 48–120 hours community service; 2–4 years probation.
Third offense
- Classification: misdemeanor
- Jail: 60 consecutive days mandatory – 1 year; mandatory min 60 days
- Fine: $600–$1,500 (plus surcharges)
- License suspension: 2-year revocation; habitual traffic offender 5-year revocation if 3rd major offense within 7 years – 5 years; hardship: interlock path
Fourth+ offense
- Classification: Class 4 felony (3 priors, lifetime)
- Jail: 90 days–180 days as probation condition, or 2 years prison – 6 years prison; mandatory min 90 days jail if probation granted
- Fine: $2,000–$500,000 (felony fine range; $2,000+ typical minimum)
- License suspension: 2-year revocation + PDD interlock – 5 years (habitual); hardship: interlock path post-revocation
- Felony DUI since 2015 (H.B. 15-1043).
Refusing a chemical test (implied consent)
Refusal ('expressed consent' law): 1-year revocation, PDD designation (2-year interlock + Level II therapy + SR-22), 2 months hard before interlock license. Refusal admissible at trial.
Statute: C.R.S. § 42-2-126
Ignition interlock
Interlock-forward state: most first offenders reinstate early after 1 month with IID (8 months minimum IID for per-se); PDDs (0.15+, refusals, repeats) get 2-year minimum IID + Level II education/therapy + SR-22.
Statute: C.R.S. § 42-2-132.5
Frequently asked questions
What is the penalty for a first DUI in Colorado?
A first DUI in Colorado is a misdemeanor (DWAI first: lesser misdemeanor, 8 points). Jail: DUI: 5 days (typically suspended w/ education) · DWAI: 2 days – 1 year (DWAI: 180 days); mandatory min 10 days if BAC 0.20+. Fine: $200–$1,000 (DUI $600–1,000; DWAI $200–500; plus ~$500+ in stacked surcharges/costs). License suspension: 9-month revocation (DUI per se; DWAI first: NO revocation, 8 points) – 9 months; hardship: early reinstatement after 1 month with interlock (most first offenders).
What is the legal BAC limit in Colorado?
0.08% for most drivers, 0.04% for commercial drivers, and 0.02% for drivers under 21.
How long does Colorado look back at prior DUI offenses?
lifetime (criminal counting) / 7 (habitual offender license rules). Priors count for life for offense-number purposes (DUI and DWAI both count); 4th offense = Class 4 felony (2015 law). Habitual traffic offender 5-year revocation uses a 7-year window.