A DUI charge in Denver, Colorado carries consequences that extend well beyond the courtroom. From license suspension and heavy fines to mandatory programs and a permanent mark on your record, the stakes are high from the moment of arrest. The decisions you make in the hours and days following a DUI charge can significantly affect the outcome of your case.
At Shazam Kianpour & Associates, P.C., our Denver DUI lawyers have handled thousands of criminal and DUI cases across the Denver metro area and throughout Colorado. With 22+ years of experience, recognition from the National Trial Lawyers and SuperLawyers, and a reputation for aggressive, zealous defense, we are prepared to fight for you.
Our Denver DUI lawyers are relentless in defending drunk driving cases. With strict laws and severe penalties, DUI charges in Denver, Colorado can have life-altering consequences. Our attorneys have the knowledge and courtroom confidence to tackle these challenges head-on and are committed to providing you with an aggressive, personalized defense.
Colorado criminal defense attorneys at our firm provide DUI and DWAI defense to people in the Denver metro area and throughout Colorado’s Front Range, including Adams, Arapahoe, Jefferson, Douglas, Denver, and Boulder counties. A DUI conviction carries significant financial consequences, including license suspension, court fines, mandatory program costs, and increased insurance premiums — all of which can disrupt your livelihood.
According to Colorado Revised Statute CRS 42-4-1301, driving under the influence of alcohol means operating a motor vehicle when you have consumed alcohol to a degree where you are substantially incapable — either mentally, physically, or both — of exercising clear judgment, sufficient physical control, or due care in the safe operation of a vehicle.
The legal BAC limit in Colorado is .08% for drivers 21 and over, .04% for commercial drivers, and .02% for drivers under 21. Drivers who test above their applicable BAC limit after taking a blood or breath test will be charged with driving under the influence. Understanding the difference between a DUI and a DWAI is essential, as the two charges carry different penalties and thresholds. A fourth DUI offense in Colorado results in a felony charge, which carries significantly harsher penalties and mandatory jail time.
Prosecutors want you to think your case is open and shut. However, the evidence may not be nearly as strong as it seems. Our attorneys carefully examine the details of your case to identify weaknesses and opportunities for challenging the prosecution’s evidence. There are well-established mistakes found in the DUI testing process in Colorado, and we know where to look.
Here are some of the areas we examine in every case:
The specific defense options available to you depend on the details of your case, but you likely have more options than you realize.
Colorado law defines driving under the influence (DUI) as operating a vehicle while impaired by alcohol or controlled substances. The legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limits are .08% for drivers aged 21 and over, .04% for commercial drivers, and .02% for drivers aged 20 and younger.
A DUI carries serious penalties. Under Colorado’s criminal code, a first offense may include fines of up to $1,000, up to two years of probation, up to 96 hours of public service, license suspension for nine months, and up to one year of jail time. Repeat offenses bring harsher penalties, including longer suspensions, higher fines, and more jail time. Aggravating factors such as a high BAC or causing an injury can lead to more severe consequences.
Under Colorado’s express consent law, drivers automatically agree to submit to chemical testing if suspected of DUI. Refusal to take a BAC test can result in immediate license revocation and additional penalties. Offenders may also be required to install an ignition interlock device (IID). According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drunk driving claims approximately 13,500 lives annually — underscoring why Colorado enforces some of the strictest DUI laws in the nation. Colorado also has strict laws governing driving under the influence of drugs (DUID), with drug impairment tested through blood or saliva tests.
Two or more DUI offenses result in the state classifying you as a persistent drunk driver. If you reach a fourth offense, you face a felony DUI charge with mandatory incarceration. Understanding what happens at a DMV hearing — which is separate from your criminal case — is a critical step many people overlook.
In Colorado, zero tolerance laws for underage drivers mean that if you are under 21 and caught driving with a BAC as low as .02%, you can face serious consequences. Colorado’s zero tolerance law for drivers under 21 carries penalties including a three-month driver’s license suspension, a fine of up to $150, and up to 24 hours of community service.
For underage drivers with a BAC over .05%, penalties become even more severe and may include jail time. You may also be required to complete an alcohol education program. The long-term impact of an underage DUI conviction on college admissions, scholarships, and future employment makes it critical to take these charges seriously and seek legal representation immediately.
If you have been charged with a DUI in Denver, Colorado, you face two separate proceedings: a criminal case and a DMV hearing. The criminal case is handled in court, where a judge and possibly a jury will determine whether you are guilty. The DMV hearing is an administrative proceeding, separate from the criminal case, that determines whether your driver’s license will be suspended. Missing your DMV hearing deadline — typically within seven days of your arrest — can result in automatic license suspension regardless of the outcome of your criminal case.
Our attorneys handle both proceedings simultaneously, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks while building the strongest possible defense on both fronts.
When facing DUI charges in Denver, you need an advocate who understands both the criminal and administrative processes. The financial impact of a DUI conviction extends well beyond court fines. License suspension can cost you your job, increase your insurance premiums, and require expensive reinstatement fees. Research shows how a DUI conviction can affect background checks and employment — a consequence many people do not consider until it is too late. Working with a dedicated Denver DUI lawyer from the outset gives you the best opportunity to protect your record, your finances, and your future.
Our attorneys have handled more than 10,000 criminal cases, including countless DUI defense matters across the Denver metro area. We know the local courts, the prosecutors, and the procedural details that can make a real difference in your case.
Yes. Colorado’s express consent law means you consented to testing when you received your driver’s license. If you are arrested for DUI, the arresting officer may confiscate your license and issue a temporary permit. You have seven days to request a DMV hearing to contest the revocation. Failing to request this hearing in time results in automatic suspension.
Your criminal case proceeds separately from the DMV hearing. You will be formally charged, enter a plea, and the court process will unfold from there. Depending on the strength of the evidence, there may be opportunities for dismissal, reduction, or negotiation. Having an attorney who understands both tracks of this process is critical.
Colorado’s express consent law means refusing a BAC test carries its own penalties, including license revocation. However, breathalyzer results are not infallible and can be challenged. This is a decision that depends on the specific circumstances of your stop, and it is something our attorneys can help you evaluate.
For drivers under 21 with a BAC between .02% and .05%, penalties include a three-month suspension and community service. For a BAC over .05%, consequences escalate to potential jail time. A conviction at a young age can follow someone into their adult life, affecting employment and education.
Each subsequent DUI brings harsher penalties. A second offense includes longer jail time, higher fines, and a longer license suspension. A third offense escalates further. Understanding the consequences of a fourth DUI in Colorado
— which becomes a felony — is important for anyone with prior offenses.
In Colorado, you are classified as a persistent drunk driver if you have two or more DUI or DWAI convictions, if your BAC was .15% or higher at the time of arrest, or if you refused testing. The persistent drunk driver designation in Colorado
triggers mandatory treatment and extended ignition interlock requirements.
A PDD designation requires completion of a Level II alcohol education and treatment program, a minimum of one year with an ignition interlock device, and compliance with all treatment recommendations before you can fully reinstate driving privileges.
Challenging a PDD designation requires addressing the underlying conviction or BAC evidence. Our attorneys review every element of your case — from the traffic stop to the testing process — to identify grounds for challenge.
No. A DUI arrest is not a conviction. Many cases are successfully reduced or dismissed when the right defense is in place. The key is acting quickly, preserving evidence, and working with an attorney who knows Colorado DUI law.
Choosing the right attorney can significantly impact the outcome of your case. We bring over 20 years of dedicated criminal defense experience to the table.
Our attorneys have successfully handled more than 10,000 criminal cases, treating each one with the utmost seriousness, whether it is a DUI or a federal crime.
Our team deeply understands the dynamics of the courtroom, including the strategies of district attorneys and judges.
This insight stems from their unique backgrounds, including roles such as training director and press secretary for the district attorney’s office and former prosecutors for Colorado.
Their comprehensive approach and strong litigation track record speak volumes about our capability to defend and support our clients. Attorney Shazam Kianpour, having served as a former public defender, possesses an intimate knowledge of the local courts. This is pivotal in your DUI case.
Choosing experienced attorneys like us can make a significant difference in protecting your rights and achieving a favorable resolution.
Let us put our extensive knowledge and dedication to work for you. We are committed to your defense and available 24/7 to ensure you receive the support and guidance needed throughout this challenging time.
Facing a DUI charge in Denver, Colorado does not have to mean accepting the worst outcome. Our attorneys have spent more than 22 years defending clients across the Denver metro area against DUI and DWAI charges, and we bring that experience to every case we take. Recognized by the National Trial Lawyers and SuperLawyers, Shazam Kianpour & Associates, P.C. provides the aggressive, personal attention that larger firms simply cannot offer.
Do not wait to get help. Contact Shazam Kianpour & Associates, P.C. today for a free consultation with our Denver DUI lawyers and find out what we can do for your case.
