Arrested for DUI in Colorado? Here's What Happens Next
A DUI arrest in Colorado triggers two separate legal processes: a criminal case in court and an administrative case with the DMV. Each has its own deadlines, and missing the DMV one is a common — and costly — mistake.
Two cases, two deadlines
The criminal case is filed by the district attorney's office and can result in jail time, fines, and a criminal record. Separately, the DMV runs an administrative case that can revoke your driver's license. Winning one does not automatically win the other — they are handled independently.
The 7-day DMV rule
At arrest, the officer typically takes your license and issues a notice of revocation. You have only seven days from the arrest to request a DMV hearing. Miss that deadline and your license is revoked automatically, with no hearing at all. This is the single most common deadline missed after a Colorado DUI arrest.
License consequences
A first DUI conviction in Colorado typically brings a license revocation of about nine months, with possible early reinstatement if you complete requirements such as an ignition interlock device. A first DWAI — the lesser "driving while ability impaired" charge — carries a shorter revocation. Refusing a chemical test triggers express-consent consequences: an automatic revocation that runs on top of any criminal penalty.
Jail, fines, and classes
A first DUI conviction carries a mandatory minimum jail sentence of five days — often convertible to community service or alternative sentencing — plus fines and court costs, and court-ordered alcohol education or treatment classes. Penalties escalate quickly: second and third offenses bring longer jail terms, longer revocations, and mandatory interlock requirements.
What happens in court
The process moves through arraignment, discovery, and motions before any trial. A Denver DUI attorney will examine whether the traffic stop was lawful, whether the officer had probable cause, and whether the breath or blood test was administered correctly — procedural errors are a common basis for reducing or dismissing charges.
Why hire a DUI attorney
A DUI conviction is a criminal record with long-term consequences for employment, insurance rates, and professional licenses. DUI defense is highly technical and local — an attorney who practices in Denver courts knows the prosecutors, judges, and testing procedures. The earlier you hire one, the more options you have, especially before that seven-day DMV deadline arrives.
General information, not legal advice
This guide is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws, fees, deadlines, and dollar limits change — and every situation is different. Consult a licensed Colorado attorney for advice about your specific case.