Colorado DUI DWAI Laws

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The maximum prescribed legal BAC limit in Colorado is 0.08% per se
(effective from Jul 1st 2004)

(If you’ve been charged with Colorado DUI DWAI , the law allows only 7 days for your Colorado DUI Lawyer to make a request with the Colorado DMV (Division of Motor Vehicles) for a hearing to save your driving license)

Colorado DUI Laws and BAC limits

ALL DRIVERS - BAC LIMIT = 0.08%
In the State of Colorado it is crime for ANY driver to drive with a BAC (blood alcohol content - concentration) of 0.08% and above.

ALL DRIVERS - BAC LIMIT BETWEEN 0.05 - 0.08%
It is a crime to drive with a BAC (blood alcohol content - concentration) of more than 0.05% but less than 0.08%. This is known as DWAI (driving while ability impaired).

MINOR (under the age of 21) - BAC LIMIT = 0.02%
It is a crime for persons under 21 years of age to drive with a BAC (blood alcohol content - concentration) of 0.02% or above. Any driver under the age of 21 with convicted of DUI or DWAI will have a mandatory 1 year driving license suspension.

It is a crime to refuse to submit to a chemical test in Colorado under the express consent law which is similar to the implied consent laws of other counties.

Colorado BAC Calculator

BLOOD ALCOHOL CONTENT CALCULATOR Calculate your BAC using our calculator, know your legal drunk driving limits and stay safe!!

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Penalties for DUI - Drunk Driving in Colorado - BAC 0.08% and Above

Colorado is a state with a five-year ‘washout period,’ also known as a 'look back period', this means that a prior conviction is not admissible after five years. If it is five years and one day since a driver was convicted of DUI, that driver will be considered a first-time offender. If a driver commits a DUI within five years of the first DUI, they are considered guilty of a second offense and are subjected to harsher punishments.

First Dui - Drunk Driving Conviction - MISDEMEANOR

The penalty for a first DUI - drunk driving conviction in Colorado:

• $300 to $1,000 fine
• 5 days to 1 year in jail
• 12 points on driving record
• 48 to 96 hours mandatory public service (community service)
• ignition interlock restriction
• possible vehicle impoundment
• SR22 insurance requirement

Second DUI - Drunk Driving Conviction - MISDEMEANOR

The penalty for a second DUI - drunk driving conviction in Colorado:

• $500 to $1,500 fine
• 90 days to 1 year in jail
• 1 year suspension of drivers license
• 60 to 120 hours mandatory public service (community service)
• possible ignition interlock restriction
• possible vehicle impoundment
• SR22 insurance requirement

Penalties for DWAI - Driving With Ability Impaired in Colorado - BAC Between 0.05 and 0.08%

The penalty for a first DWAI - driving while ability impaired in Colorado:

First DWAI - Driving While Ability Impaired Conviction - MISDEMEANOR

• $100 to $500 fine
• 2 to 180 days in jail
• 8 points on driving record
• 24 to 48 hours mandatory public service
• possible vehicle impoundment
• SR22 insurance requirement

Second DWAI - Driving While Ability Impaired Conviction - MISDEMEANOR

The penalty for a second DWAI - driving while ability impaired in Colorado:

• $300 to $1000 fine
• 45 days to one year in jail
• 1 year revocation of drivers license
• 48 to 96 hours mandatory public service
• possible vehicle impoundment
• SR22 insurance requirement

Any driver under the age of 21 with convicted of DUI or DWAI will have a mandatory 1 year drivers license suspension.

penalties will be increased if a drivers BAC level is above 0.17%

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EXPRESS (Implied) consent LAWS

It is a crime to refuse to submit to a chemical test in Colorado and express (implied) consent laws are enforced.

Penalties for refusing to submit to a chemical test in Colorado

In Colorado, if the accused refuses to take a chemical test of their blood, breath or urine, their drivers license will be suspended/revoked.

If a person refuses to take a chemical test in Colorado their drivers license will be revoked for a period of one year. If other suspensions or revocations come about
from this same incident, they will be added onto the end of the revocation (consecutively).

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Colorado AUTO insurance (High Risk DUI SR22 insurance)

Colorado auto insurance quotes ENTER ZIP CODE:

Colorado SR-22 auto insurance is usually required for a period of of between 3 months and 3 years after a DUI - drunk driving - alcohol related driving conviction and can be very expensive if you go with the wrong provider. Some insurance companies will not even do an SR22 insurance filing. Get a FREE DUI auto insurance quote and compare rates to find the best deal, simply enter your ZIP code above and you can be comparing prices for Colorado auto insurance in a matter of minutes.

Minimum liability insurance requirements for private passenger vehicles in the state of Colorado

The minimum mandatory liability insurance coverage required in the state of Colorado for private passenger vehicles is (25/50/15). This equates to the following liability coverage:

• $25,000 bodily injury liability (BIL) per person
• $50,000 for two or more people in one accident
• $15,000 property damage liability (PDL) coverage

What is (BIL) Bodily Injury Liability insurance?

(BIL) Bodily Injury Liability insurance coverage will pay for serious and permanent injury or death to other people when a crash is caused by the insured. An auto insurance company will pay for injuries up to the limits specified in an insurance policy and will provide legal representation for the insured in the event someone tries to sue them.

What is (PDL) Property Damage Liability insurance?

(PDL) Property Damage Liability insurance coverage pays for damages an insured driver or members of an insured drivers family cause (and are liable for) to other people's property in a crash involving a motor vehicle.

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FREE Case evaluation & consultation by local Colorado DWI / DUI Lawyer / Drunk Driving Attorney

OR

Protect your rights! Talk to a local DUI lawyer Colorado DUI cases tend to move quickly through the system, and there may be important deadlines that affect your right to assert certain defenses or call witnesses. It’s important that you understand the process your Colorado drunk driving case will follow and the important requirements and deadlines before you take any action—but you can’t afford to delay. Talk to a local Colorado Drunk Driving Attorney as soon as possible to gather important information such as: • What penalties do you face if convicted of DUI in Colorado? • What are the indirect penalties, such as increased insurance rates and diminished job opportunities in Colorado? • Does Colorado have a mandatory ignition interlock device law? • Was your breathalyzer or blood alcohol content (BAC) test properly administered in accordance with Colorado laws and procedures ? • When and how can you get your driver’s license reinstated in Colorado? It’s easy to make mistakes under pressure, so make sure that you have the information you need to make good, educated decisions during this process. Contact a local Colorado criminal defense attorney specialising in Colorado drunk driving laws today.

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Useful Colorado DUI Links:

DUI - Drunk Driving Laws in Colorado

Colorado Drivers Handbook

Colorado SR22 Insurance Requirement

Colorado DMV (Division of Motor Vehicles)

Colorado Department of Transportation

Colorado Courts (the Judicial branch of Colorado)

Colorado Department of Insurance

Colorado DUI Lawyers

Colorado DUI discussion forum

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