Legally Reviewed by Shazam Kianpour on August 12, 2026
People in the Denver area are arrested and/or charged with drunk driving every day. However, just being arrested or charged does not make a person guilty. Anyone facing this kind of situation should understand his or her rights and all of the legal implications that apply. Preparing a strong defense can go a long way in determining whether or not a person is convicted.
A Centennial man has been fired just two days after being charged with DUI. The 36-year-old man was transporting a busload of special needs students on a field trip while he was allegedly intoxicated. Authorities arrested the man after he allegedly failed a drug/alcohol test. According to reports, a witness saw the man allegedly throwing vodka bottles from his school bus into a parking lot.
Reportedly, school security officials contacted the man and told him to remain where he was, however he allegedly left the scene. Authorities say that after they eventually caught up with the man that he allegedly admitted to taking cold medicine and vodka that morning before starting his shift.
This man is already feeling the affects of his arrest. Although he has not even been convicted he has already lost his job. The consequences of a DUI conviction can be serious and can severely limit a person’s rights. Anyone, who is facing these kinds of charges shouldn’t waste any time in finding the proper legal help. The right DUI attorney can make all the difference in whether or not a person is found guilty and how severe the penalties will be if convicted.
Source: Our Colorado News, “School bus driver loses job after DUI,” George Lurie, Nov. 22, 2013
Employment Consequences of a Colorado DUI Arrest
Colorado is an at-will employment state, which generally allows an employer to terminate an employee for an arrest alone, even before any conviction, unless a specific contract or policy says otherwise. This is a separate issue from the criminal case itself, and losing a job after an arrest does not affect the presumption of innocence that applies in the criminal proceeding.
Commercial driver’s license holders face additional exposure. Federal regulations disqualify a CDL holder from operating a commercial vehicle for at least one year following a DUI conviction, whether the offense occurred in a commercial vehicle or a personal one, and a second such offense can result in a lifetime disqualification. This is on top of any consequences imposed under Colorado’s own commercial driver’s license rules.
The Colorado DUI Process: Arrest, License, and the Criminal Case
A Colorado DUI arrest actually triggers two separate proceedings. The criminal case addresses guilt or innocence on the DUI or DWAI charge itself. Separately, Colorado’s express consent law requires drivers to submit to a breath, blood, saliva, or urine test when an officer has probable cause to believe they were driving under the influence, and refusing that test triggers an automatic license consequence handled through a DMV hearing that is independent of the criminal court case.
Because these two proceedings run on different timelines and involve different standards, someone facing a DUI arrest often needs to address both the criminal charge and any license consequences at the same time.
An Arrest Is Not a Conviction
Colorado law presumes every person charged with a crime innocent unless and until the prosecution proves guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Field sobriety tests, breath test results, and witness statements can all be challenged, and the specific facts of an arrest, including how the stop was conducted and whether proper procedures were followed, can significantly affect the outcome of a DUI case.
Frequently Asked Questions About Colorado DUI Charges
Can an employer fire someone for a DUI arrest before conviction?
In most cases, yes. Colorado is an at-will employment state, and an employer can generally terminate an employee based on an arrest alone, absent a contract or policy stating otherwise. This is separate from the criminal case, where the person remains presumed innocent.
What is Colorado’s express consent law?
Colorado’s express consent law requires drivers to submit to a breath, blood, saliva, or urine test when an officer has probable cause to believe they were driving under the influence. Refusing the test triggers an automatic license consequence through a DMV hearing that runs separately from the criminal case.
What is the difference between a DUI and a DWAI in Colorado?
DUI applies when a person’s ability to drive is substantially impaired by alcohol or drugs. DWAI, or driving while ability impaired, applies to a lesser degree of impairment and generally carries less severe penalties, though it remains a serious traffic offense in Colorado.
Do CDL holders face harsher DUI penalties?
Yes. Federal regulations disqualify a commercial driver’s license holder from operating a commercial vehicle for at least one year following a DUI conviction, regardless of what type of vehicle was involved, and a second offense can result in a lifetime disqualification.
What should someone do after a Colorado DUI arrest?
Anyone arrested for DUI in Colorado should be aware of the deadline to request a DMV hearing regarding their license and should have the facts of the stop and any test results reviewed before deciding how to proceed with the criminal case.
If you or a loved one has been arrested for DUI in Colorado, the timeline for protecting your driving privileges is short, and the facts of the stop matter. Shazam Kianpour & Associates, P.C. has represented clients in Denver DUI cases and related DMV hearings for years. Contact our office to discuss your situation.
About the Attorney
Founder, Shazam Kianpour & Associates, P.C.
Shazam Kianpour is a Denver criminal defense attorney who has handled thousands of criminal and traffic cases across Colorado, including DUI, DWAI, and DMV hearing matters. He previously served as a Colorado State Public Defender and is a member of the Colorado Bar Association and the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar.
Written by
Shazam KianpourDenver Criminal Defense Attorney & Founder, Shazam Kianpour & Associates, P.C. — Over 10,000 criminal and traffic cases handled across Colorado.