Driving under the influence in Colorado Springs is a misdemeanor in most cases. A first offense carries
- 5 days to 1 year in jail,
- $600 to $1,000 in fines,
- 48 to 96 hours of public service,
- possibly DUI classes, and
- a 9-month license suspension.
Though there are several legal defenses that could get the criminal charges reduced or dismissed.
In this article, our Colorado Springs DUI defense attorneys discuss:
- 1. When is “driving under the influence” a crime in Colorado Springs?
- 2. What are the DUI penalties in Colorado Springs?
- 3. Can I keep my license?
- 4. How can I fight the charges?
- 5. Is DUI of marijuana illegal, too?
- 6. Can I get my criminal record sealed?
- 7. Who prosecutes DUI cases in Colorado Springs”?
1. When is “driving under the influence” a crime in Colorado Springs?
Colorado Springs has several different crimes for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs depending on your age, level of intoxication, and whether someone got hurt:
1.1. DUI / DUI per se
You face DUI charges for driving while under the influence of either alcohol or controlled substances (drugs). In short, it is illegal to drive drunk or high.
You face DUI per se charges if your blood alcohol content (BAC) is 0.08% or higher. It does not matter if you are being safe and do not seem impaired. Having a BAC of at least 0.08% always makes operating a motor vehicle per se illegal.1
1.2. DWAI
Short for driving while ability impaired, DWAI is driving with a BAC of greater than 0.05% but less than 0.08%. DWAI cases are less serious than DUI cases since you have a lower intoxication level.2
1.3. UDD
UDD – short for underage drinking and driving – occurs when a person under 21 years old drives with a BAC of 0.02% to 0.05%. Called “baby DUI”, UDD reflects Colorado’s “zero tolerance” policy for underage drinking.3
1.4. DUI causing injury or death
The crime of vehicular assault (CRS 18-3-205) is drunk or drugged driving that results in a physical injury, such as broken bones, burns, paralysis, or disfigurement.4 The crime of vehicular homicide (CRS 18-3-106) is drunk or drugged driving that results in a fatality.5
2. What are the DUI penalties in Colorado Springs?
The punishment for drunk or drugged driving turns on the specific offense and whether you have prior convictions.
2.1. DUI / DUI per se
Driving under the influence offense | Penalties in Colorado Springs |
First-time DUI or DUI per se | Misdemeanor:
Courts can waive jail in exchange for a one-year alcohol evaluation course. If you have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.20% or higher, you will be designated as a persistent drunk driver (PDD) and sentenced as a repeat-DUI offender. |
Second-time DUI or DUI per se | Misdemeanor:
|
Third-time DUI or DUI per se | Misdemeanor:
|
Fourth or subsequent DUI or DUI per se | Class 4 Felony:
|
2.2. DWAI
Driving While Ability Impaired offense | Penalties in Colorado Springs |
First-time DWAI | Misdemeanor:
Courts can waive jail in exchange for a one-year alcohol evaluation course. |
Second-time DWAI | Misdemeanor:
|
Third-time DWAI | Misdemeanor:
|
Fourth or subsequent DWAI | Class 4 Felony:
|
2.3. UDD
Underage drunk driving offense | Penalties in Colorado Springs |
First-time UDD | Class A traffic infraction:
|
Second or subsequent UDD | Class 2 traffic misdemeanor:
|
2.4. DUI causing injury or death
Felony DUI offense | Penalties in Colorado Springs |
Vehicular assault (DUI causing serious injury) | Class 4 Felony:
|
Vehicular homicide (DUI causing death) | Class 3 felony:
|
Learn more about felony DUI laws in Colorado.
2.5. Surcharges
In addition to fines, you can expect to pay additional costs such as:
- $78 surcharge
- $300 PDD surcharge
- $100 – $500 for PDD programs
- $20 for the Colorado Traumatic Brain Injury Trust
- $1 to $10 for alcohol and substance abuse programs in rural areas
- costs of alcohol and drug treatment
- charges for towing and impoundment
- ignition interlock device costs
- higher insurance premiums when it comes time to renew car insurance
- $95 for a license reinstatement
3. Can I keep my license?
DUIs and UDDs always trigger a license suspension by the Colorado Springs DMV. The only way to avoid a license revocation is by winning both
- the criminal case as well as
- the DMV hearing (also called an express consent hearing).
Though it may be possible to get an early reinstatement of driving privileges immediately if you drive with an ignition interlock device for nine months (or 24 months if your BAC was .15% or higher).11
Note that refusing to take a chemical breath or blood test following a drunk or drugged driving arrest triggers an automatic license suspension, even if no criminal charges get filed:
- A first-time refusal carries a one-year suspension (but it may be possible to get an early reinstatement of driving privileges after 60 days if you drive with an IID for 24 months).
- A second-time refusal carries a two-year suspension.
- A third-time refusal carries a three-year suspension.12
If you elect to take the breath test – and fail it – you will be given a notice of express consent affidavit and notice of revocation. This document notifies you that you have seven days to request a DMV hearing. Otherwise, the license revocation will occur on the eighth day.
Meanwhile, if you elect to take the blood test, you get to keep your license until the results come back, which may be weeks later. If the results come back as positive for DUI, the arresting officer will file the notice of express consent affidavit with the DMV, which in turn will mail the notice of revocation to you.
You have 10 days from the date the letter was sent to request a DMV hearing. Otherwise, the license revocation will occur on the 11th day.
If you request a DMV hearing in time, you can continue driving pending the DMV hearing, which may be up to 60 days later. A criminal defense attorney can always request DMV hearings on your behalf.
Otherwise, you are advised to go to the DMV with your notice of express consent affidavit to request the hearing in person. You can request whether or not you want your arresting officer to be present.
DMV hearings are much harder to win than criminal cases. This is because criminal prosecutors have the burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, whereas the DMV can revoke your license based on far less evidence. Though DMV hearings are still worth the effort because
- they serve as a dry run for the criminal case, and
- the defense attorneys can use what they learn to mount a stronger fight against the D.A.
3.1. DUI / DUI per se
The license suspension period for a DUI / DUI per se in Colorado Springs increases with each successive violation:
- First violation: 9 months.
- Second violation: 1 year.
- Third or subsequent violation: 2 years.13
3.2. DWAI
DWAIs do not trigger an automatic license suspension in Colorado Springs.14
3.3. UDD
The license suspension period for a UDD in Colorado Springs increases with each successive violation:
- First violation: 3 months.
- Second violation: 6 months.
- Third or subsequent violation: 1 year.15
3.4. DUI causing injury or death
Vehicular assault and vehicular homicide each carries a license revocation of at least one year.16
4. How can I fight the charges?
There are many potential ways criminal defense attorneys fight back against DUI charges in Colorado Springs, depending on the facts of the case and available evidence. Ten potential defenses include:
- The police officer did not have reasonable suspicion to make the traffic stop.
- The police officer gave improper instructions for the field sobriety tests.
- You suffered from a medical condition that caused you to fail the field sobriety tests.
- The law enforcement officer did not have probable cause to place you under arrest.
- The breathalyzer was defective, or the police officer did not administer the test correctly.
- The blood test results become contaminated.
- The officer did not get a warrant to draw blood after you refused a blood draw.
- Your BAC level was legal while behind the wheel, but it rose later while taking the chemical test (“rising blood alcohol“).
- You suffered from medical conditions that caused a high BAC level, such as GERD.
- You suffered from a medical condition that made you seem intoxicated, such as a diabetic seizure.
It is important that you appear at your arraignment and all future court appearances (unless the court allows your attorney to appear on your behalf). Otherwise, the judge may issue a bench warrant for your arrest.
A Colorado Springs DUI lawyer will always advise you to plead not guilty at the arraignment. Even if a case feels impossible to win, criminal defense attorneys are skilled at fighting for the best possible resolutions in DUI cases. In many cases, they can achieve a favorable plea deal.
5. Is DUI of marijuana illegal, too?
Yes. DUI of marijuana is punished the same as drunk driving in Colorado Springs. It does not matter that recreational marijuana is legal.
Note that if you are suspected of drugged driving, you are required to take a blood test following your arrest. You cannot take a breath test because breath tests do not measure drug levels.17
Learn more about DUI of drugs (DUID).
6. Can I get my criminal record sealed?
DWAI and DUI convictions can never be sealed in Colorado Springs. Though UDD convictions may be expunged after you turn 21 years old.
Criminal charges that get dismissed may be sealed right away unless the dismissal was granted through a deferred judgment.18
Learn how to seal Colorado criminal records. Having any criminal record can restrict
- educational,
- housing, and/or
- employment
opportunities. Plus, it carries a social stigma.
7. Who prosecutes DUI cases in Colorado Springs”?
The 4th Judicial District Attorney brings DUI charges in Colorado Springs (and throughout El Paso and Teller Counties.) Cases are heard in the El Paso County Judicial Building, located at:
270 S Tejon St
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
719-452-5000
Note that DUIs on federal land in Colorado Springs are prosecuted by the Department of Justice in the District of Colorado. Colorado Springs’ federal court is located at:
212 N. Wahsatch Avenue
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
(719) 471-3387
Depending on the location, DUI suspects in Colorado Springs are arrested by either the:
- Colorado Springs Police Department,
- El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, and/or
- U.S. Marshals Service, District of Colorado
Legal References
- CRS 42-4-1301.
- Same.
- Same.
- CRS 18-3-205; see People v. Smoots, (2013) COA 152, 396 P.3d 53.
- CRS 18-3-106.
- CRS 42-4-1301.
- Same.
- Same.
- CRS 18-2-205.
- CRS 18-3-106.
- CRS 42-2-125; Colorado Springs Code 3.3.412 – 3.3.413. SB21-055.
- CRS 42-2-126.
- Same.
- Same.
- Same.
- Same; CRS 42-2-128.
- CRS 42-4-1301.
- CRS 24-72-700-708; In re Harte, (2012) COA 183, 337 P.3d 1232.