Colorado Driver’s License Suspension After a DUI

In Colorado, certain driving violations can result in the suspension or revocation of your driver’s license. The Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) manages driver’s licenses and has the authority to suspend them if you accumulate too many points on your record or are arrested for driving under the influence (DUI). Losing your license can affect every part of your life, from commuting to work and school to managing family responsibilities. Depending on the circumstances, a license suspension can last a few months or extend for several years.

If you’re facing a possible suspension, it’s crucial to understand Colorado DUI license laws, the hearing process with the DMV, and your options for protecting your driving privileges. Having the right criminal defense lawyer by your side could mean the difference between keeping your license and being forced off the road.

Experienced Colorado DUI Lawyer for an Aggressive Representation

When you’re facing a DUI charge in Colorado, you need more than just general legal advice—you need an attorney who focuses on DUI defense and knows how to fight for your driving rights. At DUI Law Firm Denver, we provide aggressive, results-driven representation for drivers across the Denver area.

Our team knows how to challenge every part of the case, including:

Questioning blood or breath test results for accuracy and reliability
Investigating police procedures to see if your rights were violated
Representing you at DMV hearings to fight Colorado driver’s license suspensions
Negotiating with prosecutors to reduce penalties or pursue case dismissals

We also work with expert witnesses and specialists to build the strongest defense possible. This comprehensive approach gives our clients the best chance at reducing charges, minimizing penalties, and protecting their future.

At DUI Law Firm Denver, we know how high the stakes are when your driver’s license and livelihood are on the line. Our goal is simple: to keep you driving, protect your record, and fight for the best possible outcome in your case.

License suspension notice on clipboard - Colorado Driver’s License Suspension After a DUI

Understanding Colorado License Suspension Laws

In Colorado, your driver’s license can be suspended or revoked if you violate traffic or DUI laws. Penalties are especially severe for driving under the influence (DUI), and the length of your suspension depends on several factors, including:

Whether this is your first offense or a repeat offense
Your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at the time of arrest
Whether you agreed to or refused a chemical test (breath or blood test)

Type of Offense	First Offense	Repeat Offense
DUI (BAC 0.08 or higher)	License suspension for 9 months	Suspension for up to 2 years
DWAI (BAC 0.05–0.08)	8 points added to driving record	License suspension for 1 year
Refusal to take a chemical test	License suspension for 12 months	Suspension for 2 years

It’s important to understand that a Colorado DMV suspension is separate from criminal court penalties. Even if your DUI case is still pending, the DMV can suspend your license.

Losing your Colorado driver’s license can disrupt your work, family responsibilities, and independence. If you are facing a possible suspension, the right legal defense can make all the difference in protecting your ability to drive.

What Triggers a Driver’s License Suspension in Colorado?

In Colorado, your driver’s license can be suspended or revoked for several reasons. The Colorado DMV oversees these penalties, and the length of suspension depends on the offense, prior history, and BAC level.

DUI and DWAI Offenses

First DUI: 9-month suspension
Second DUI: 12-month suspension
Third DUI: 24-month suspension
Fourth DUI or more: Permanent revocation
DWAI (BAC 0.05–0.08): Points on record, possible suspension
Under 21: Stricter rules — even a BAC of 0.02%–0.05% can trigger suspension

Refusal to Take a Chemical Test

Under Colorado’s Express Consent Law, refusing a blood or breath test leads to automatic suspension:

First refusal: 12 months
Second refusal: 24 months
Third refusal: 36 months

Refusal can also be used as evidence against you in court.

Points System Violations

Too many points on your record can cost your license:

Adults: 12 points in 12 months or 18 in 24 months
Ages 18–20: 9 points in 12 months
Under 18: 6 points in 12 months

Speeding, reckless driving, and traffic light violations all add up quickly.

Driving Under Restraint

Driving while your license is suspended is a serious offense.

If not alcohol-related: up to 6 months in jail and $500 fine
If alcohol-related: minimum 30 days in jail, fines up to $1,000, and extended suspension

How Long Can My License Be Suspended?

In Colorado, the length of a license suspension depends on the offense and your history. A first offense may result in a suspension from 30 days up to 9 months, while repeat violations can lead to losing your license for 1 to 5 years. Offenses such as DUI, accumulating too many points, or leaving the scene of an accident can bring even longer penalties.

First Offense vs. Repeat Offense

A first suspension usually lasts between 1 and 9 months, depending on the violation. If another offense happens within five years, the suspension increases to 1 year. A third offense can mean 2 years without a Colorado driver’s license, and multiple DUIs may lead to a 5-year revocation. Even without DUI charges, points from repeated traffic violations can add up quickly and cause a suspension. Serious violations like DUI, reckless driving, or hit-and-run often result in the harshest penalties, even for first-time offenders.

Aggravating Factors

Certain circumstances make suspensions longer. A high BAC over 0.15%, refusing a chemical test, causing an accident with injuries, or having children in the vehicle during the offense can increase penalties. Reckless driving, excessive speeding, or fleeing from police also raises suspension lengths. In DUI cases with aggravating factors, suspensions often range from 9 months to 2 years, and in extreme cases, the Colorado DMV may impose an indefinite suspension pending review.

Colorado DMV Hearings Explained

Drivers in Colorado who might lose their license can ask for a DMV hearing. This hearing is different from a court trial and helps decide if the license should be suspended.

To get this hearing, drivers must ask within seven days of their arrest or when they learn about the suspension.

At the hearing, a DMV officer looks at evidence like police reports, test results, and what witnesses say. The officer checks if the police had a good reason to stop the driver and if the tests were done correctly.

They also check if the testing tools worked correctly. If the driver wins, they might keep their license or get special driving rights. Having a criminal defense attorney can help a lot, but it’s not a must.

Consequences of Driving on a Suspended License

Driving with a suspended license in Colorado can lead to big problems. You might have to go to court, and if you’re found guilty, it could go on your criminal record as a misdemeanor. You could face up to six months in jail and have to pay a fine of up to $500 if it’s your first time. If you do it again, the punishments get worse, and your license could be suspended for longer.

Important things to know if you drive with a suspended license:

You must go to court, and it might show up on your criminal record.
More points will be added to your driving record, which could make your suspension last longer.
Police might take your car away, and you’ll have to pay for towing and storage.
Your car insurance might cost more, or you could lose it if you get convicted.

Judges might also make you do community service, attend classes to improve driving, or go on probation.

These rules are to stop people from driving when they’re not supposed to and to make sure everyone follows the laws.

Reinstating Your Driver’s License

To get your suspended Colorado driver’s license back, you have to finish some important steps and pay the fees. First, check with the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to see if you can get your license back and take care of any problems or rules you haven’t followed.

Steps to get your license back usually include paying a fee, showing proof of insurance, finishing any programs ordered by the court, and paying any tickets or fines you owe.

Depending on why your license was suspended, you might also need to take a driving safety class, go to alcohol education programs, or use an ignition interlock device.

You can do many of these steps online on the Colorado DMV website or in person at a DMV office.

Some suspensions might mean you need to talk to a hearing officer to show you can have your driver’s license back.

Legal Defenses Against License Suspension

Colorado drivers facing license suspension may have several defenses available. Common strategies include challenging the legality of the traffic stop, questioning whether the DMV followed proper procedures, pointing out mistakes in the suspension process, or proving that an emergency justified driving. Each defense depends on the circumstances of the case and often requires strong evidence.

Lack of Proper Notice

The Colorado DMV must follow strict rules when notifying drivers of a suspension. If the agency fails to provide proper notice, the suspension may not hold up.

Notice requirements: The DMV must send written notice to the driver’s last known address by certified or trackable mail. The notice must state the reason for suspension, the start date, and the driver’s right to request a hearing.
Opportunity to respond: The letter must arrive in time for the driver to take action, such as requesting a hearing or correcting the issue.
Challenging improper notice: If the DMV cannot prove that notice was delivered correctly, drivers may contest the suspension. Keeping records and consulting with a traffic attorney can help protect these rights.

Invalid Traffic Stop

If a police officer did not have a valid reason to stop a vehicle, any resulting suspension could be challenged. Colorado law requires that traffic stops meet legal standards:

Reasonable suspicion: Officers must rely on clear facts, not just a hunch.
Probable cause: There must be an obvious traffic violation or other lawful reason for the stop.
Stop duration: The stop must last only as long as necessary.
Officer conduct: Police must follow proper procedures and document the stop accurately.

If drivers can show the stop was unlawful, for example, by proving the officer lacked reasonable suspicion or prolonged the stop without cause, they may be able to exclude evidence and prevent a suspension.

Procedural Errors at DMV

Mistakes made by the DMV during the suspension process can also provide a defense. Examples include:

Failing to notify the driver of a hearing in time.
Using inaccurate or incomplete records.
Mishandling hearing requests or scheduling errors.
Improperly storing or presenting evidence, such as BAC test results.

These procedural errors can weaken the state’s case and sometimes result in reinstating driving privileges or overturning the suspension.

Emergency Driving Defense

Although driving with a suspended license is normally a crime, Colorado law recognizes a narrow “emergency” exception. Drivers must prove that:

The situation was urgent, involving a threat to life, serious health risks, or major safety concerns.
No reasonable alternatives were available, such as calling 911, using rideshare, or seeking help from others.
The decision to drive was limited to addressing the emergency and not for convenience.

Supporting evidence may include medical records, witness statements, or reports from emergency responders. Courts carefully review each case, considering how serious the emergency was, how far the driver traveled, and whether the driving was strictly necessary.

You need the best DUI Attorney you can find!

Contact DUI Law Firm Denver today!

303-404-7492

Why Choose DUI Law Firm Denver?

When your license and freedom are on the line, you need more than just a lawyer; you need a team that knows how to win. At DUI Law Firm Denver, we’ve built a reputation for protecting Colorado drivers from harsh DUI penalties and license suspensions. With deep knowledge of local laws, proven courtroom strategies, and relentless defense, we give our clients a real advantage when it matters most.

Proven Track Record in DUI Defense

We’re not just defense attorneys—we’re specialists in DUI law. Our team has secured case dismissals, reduced charges, and reinstated driving privileges for hundreds of clients across Denver and Colorado. We are skilled at challenging breathalyzer results, blood tests, and field sobriety tests. We are also experienced in exposing police errors and violations of rights. Recognized by the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar for our strategic DUI defense, our firm consistently delivers results in both court trials and DMV hearings. Don’t leave your future to chance.

Dedicated to Protecting Your Driving Privileges

At DUI Law Firm Denver, we fight aggressively to help you keep your license and maintain your freedom to drive. Our attorneys carefully analyze every detail of your traffic stop, testing procedures, and DMV records to uncover mistakes that can be used in your favor. We also fight for temporary driving permits when possible and work to shorten suspension periods or eliminate them entirely. With our in-depth knowledge of Colorado DMV rules, we know how to find opportunities that others may miss.

Aggressive Representation

DUI charges in Colorado move fast, so do we. From the moment you contact us, our team gets to work protecting your license and building your defense. We act immediately to stop or delay automatic suspensions, thoroughly investigate police conduct and evidence, and negotiate with prosecutors to reduce charges or penalties. When necessary, we deliver powerful courtroom representation in both DMV and criminal cases. Our aggressive defense approach has helped countless clients avoid losing their driver’s licenses, and in many cases, avoid a criminal record altogether. Don’t wait until it’s too late.

Local Denver Expertise with Colorado Laws

Colorado DUI laws are tough, and navigating Denver’s legal system requires local insight. At DUI Law Firm Denver, we know the judges, prosecutors, and DMV hearing officers, and we know how to get results in Denver courts. Our courtroom experience allows us to move cases forward efficiently, while our DMV expertise improves the chances of saving your driver’s license. Because we are familiar with local prosecutors, we know how to negotiate effectively. We also stay on top of new Colorado DUI laws to ensure your defense is always cutting-edge. Even unique Denver factors, such as high altitude and local driving conditions, can impact DUI cases, and our attorneys know how to use this knowledge to your advantage. Get an edge with Denver lawyers who know the system inside and out.

Get Help Before It’s Too Late – Call Us Today

You have only seven days to request a DMV hearing before your driver’s license is automatically suspended. Waiting could cost you your license, your job, and your freedom. DUI Law Firm Denver moves fast to protect your driving rights and build the strongest defense possible.

Call us today for a free case evaluation and take action before it’s too late.

The sooner you contact us, the stronger your defense will be. We’re ready to fight for you—right now.