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.
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.
Yes. A DUI arrest in Colorado triggers two separate proceedings: the criminal case in court and a DMV administrative hearing. You must request a DMV hearing within seven days of your arrest to challenge the suspension. Missing that deadline means your license is automatically suspended. Our attorneys handle both tracks simultaneously to protect your driving privileges from day one.
A DUI (driving under the influence) requires a BAC of .08% or higher, or impairment that leaves you substantially incapable of operating a vehicle safely. A DWAI (driving while ability impaired) requires a BAC between .05% and .079%, or any impairment that affects your ability to drive to the slightest degree. DWAI carries lesser penalties than DUI but still results in points, fines, and potential license consequences.
Under Colorado’s express consent law, you automatically consent to BAC testing when you drive. Refusing a test results in an immediate one-year license revocation for a first refusal, separate from any criminal charge. Whether to submit is a decision with real consequences either way, and the answer depends on the specific circumstances of your stop.
A first DUI conviction in Colorado may result in up to one year in jail, fines up to $1,000, up to 96 hours of public service, nine months of license suspension, and up to two years of probation. Aggravating factors like a high BAC or causing injury increase these penalties significantly. Many first-time offenders avoid the harshest outcomes with effective legal representation, but the process must be handled carefully from the start.
A fourth DUI offense in Colorado is charged as a class 4 felony, carrying one to six years in state prison and fines up to $500,000. Prior DUI convictions in Colorado or other states may count toward this threshold. A felony DUI carries consequences extending far beyond jail time, including loss of voting rights, firearm restrictions, and long-term damage to employment prospects.
Colorado designates you a persistent drunk driver (PDD) if you have two or more DUI or DWAI convictions, refused BAC testing, or tested at .15% BAC or higher. A PDD designation brings additional penalties including mandatory alcohol treatment, an ignition interlock device requirement, and a separate track of DMV consequences that operate independently of your criminal case.
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 understand how these cases are built and where they can be challenged. From the initial stop to the DMV hearing to the courtroom, we are with you at every step.
Shazam Kianpour has earned recognition from the National Trial Lawyers Top 100, SuperLawyers, Avvo, and other organizations that reflect the quality of our criminal defense work. When you need a defense attorney who will fight hard for you, contact Shazam Kianpour & Associates, P.C. today for a free consultation.
