Now you’re likely wondering about the Colorado DUI license suspension process. Many drivers are surprised to learn how quickly license consequences can kick in and how complex the reinstatement process can be without legal help. Below, I explain what triggers a license suspension, how reinstatement works, and how a strong defense can protect your license.
What Triggers a DUI License Suspension in Colorado?
License suspension in Colorado happens through two separate tracks: the criminal court case and the DMV’s administrative process—and they don’t wait on each other.
First, the DMV can impose an administrative license revocation immediately after your arrest if you either fail a chemical test (BAC .08+ or active THC ≥ 5 ng/mL) or refuse testing under Colorado’s Express Consent law. This happens before any court proceeding and can take effect within days.
Separately, a court-ordered suspension may follow a DUI conviction, even if your license was already revoked administratively. For example, the Colorado DMV can revoke your driving privilege for nine months on a first offense, regardless of whether your criminal case has concluded or resulted in a conviction.
Is Your License Suspended Immediately After a DUI in Colorado?
Your license may be suspended immediately if you refuse testing or fail a breath or blood test. In these cases, the officer typically provides an Express Consent Affidavit and a temporary driving permit, valid only for seven days unless you request a DMV hearing.
Failing to act within that timeframe makes the revocation automatic. That’s why it’s critical to respond quickly, even before your criminal case moves forward.
What Happens at a Colorado DMV Hearing?
You have the right to request a hearing to challenge the suspension. However, DMV hearings are administrative, not criminal, and the burden of proof is lower. The hearing officer will consider whether the officer had legal grounds for the stop and whether you refused or failed the chemical test. They won’t assess guilt or innocence in the criminal sense.
You may also submit evidence, cross-examine the officer (if they appear), and bring a DUI defense attorney to represent you. While the DMV hearing doesn’t control the criminal outcome, winning it means you keep your driving privileges while your case proceeds.
How Long Is a DUI License Suspension?
The length of a license suspension depends on the specific circumstances, including prior offenses and whether you refused testing. Here’s how it generally breaks down under Colorado law:
- First offense (with chemical test failure)—nine-month revocation; early reinstatement possible with ignition interlock after 30 days;
- Refusal to submit to chemical testing—one-year revocation, no early reinstatement for the first two months;
- Second offense or more within five years—up to two years suspension, with possible extended interlock requirement; and
- Aggravated DUI (e.g., injury crash or very high BAC)—additional penalties, longer interlock, and potential felony charges.
Specific criteria exist for revocation, reinstatement eligibility, and hardship options, but without legal guidance, it’s easy to miss deadlines or paperwork.
How to Start the DUI License Reinstatement Process
Getting your license back after a DUI arrest isn’t automatic. Colorado’s DMV requires you to meet several conditions before you can reinstate your driving privileges:
- Pay all reinstatement fees through the Colorado DMV;
- Complete or enroll in court-ordered drug/alcohol education or therapy;
- Obtain and file an SR-22 (proof of financial responsibility);
- Install an ignition interlock device, if required, and submit compliance paperwork; and
- Maintain compliance for the duration of the restriction period.
This process differs depending on whether the revocation came from a criminal conviction, administrative action, or refusal to test. Each case is unique, so it’s vital to understand what applies to your specific situation. Still, the path forward often includes roadblocks that a knowledgeable defense attorney can help you overcome.
Can You Drive During a Suspension?
Possibly, but only under limited conditions. Colorado allows some drivers to apply for early reinstatement with an ignition interlock or a restricted license after a suspension. Depending on your history and the circumstances of your case, this option may be available as early as 30 days into a revocation period.
However, failing to follow the rules, like driving without an interlock or failing SR-22 compliance, can restart the suspension and lead to additional charges. With so many moving parts, having a DUI lawyer who knows the process can help you avoid mistakes and regain your license faster.
How the Right DUI Defense Lawyer Can Save Your License
The loss of a license after a DUI makes getting to work, picking up your kids, or just living your life an uphill battle, often overnight. And it can happen before you’ve had your day in court. But you don’t have to face this process alone. Here’s what a dedicated DUI defense attorney can do:
- Analyze whether your traffic stop, arrest, or test result was legally valid;
- Challenge the DMV suspension with evidence and legal arguments;
- Represent you at the DMV hearing and criminal court proceedings;
- Negotiate for reinstatement options like interlock or restricted driving privileges; and
- Guide you through SR-22 filings, reinstatement paperwork, and compliance issues.
Acting quickly is critical. You only have seven days to request a DMV hearing; the rules are unforgiving. The sooner you reach out, the better your options.
Mark S. Rubinstein, P.C., Offers Local Strength and Proven Strategy
With over 25 years of experience fighting for clients across western Colorado, the law firm of Mark S. Rubinstein, P.C. delivers personalized, strategic DUI defense. I handle every case myself, never passing you off to junior associates. I am known for my responsiveness, clear guidance, and honest approach. Whether your case is in Aspen, Glenwood Springs, Vail, or Grand Junction, I know the prosecutors, judges, and local practices that shape DUI outcomes.
I have successfully helped hundreds of clients retain or regain their driving privileges, sometimes without ever going to trial. If you’re facing a license suspension, you need more than information; you need action.
Whether it’s your first DUI or your third, the consequences of losing your license are real and immediate. But suspension isn’t the end of the road. With the right legal help, many clients restore their driving privileges faster than expected and avoid additional penalties.
If your license is at risk, call my office at 970-319-3306 or contact me online today for a confidential consultation before your window to act closes.
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