Legally Reviewed by Shazam Kianpour on June 22, 2026
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 attorneys have handled thousands of criminal and DUI cases across the Denver metro area and throughout Colorado. With more than 22 years of criminal defense experience, a dual prosecution and defense background, and over 10,000 cases handled, we are prepared to fight aggressively to protect your rights, your record, and your future.
⚠ Time-Sensitive — Colorado Law Limits Your Window to Act
Arrested for DUI in Denver? Colorado gives you just 7 days from your arrest to request a DMV hearing. Miss this deadline and your license is automatically suspended, regardless of the outcome of your criminal case.
22+ years of criminal defense experience. Dual prosecution and defense background. 10,000+ criminal cases handled. Available 24/7 after an arrest.
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, which underscores 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.
The statute of limitations is the legal deadline for prosecutors to file charges against you. Under Colorado Revised Statute 16-5-401, the deadlines for DUI cases in Denver depend on how the offense is charged. A misdemeanor DUI or DWAI charge must be filed within 18 months of the date of the alleged offense, and first, second, and third DUI offenses are typically misdemeanors in Colorado. A felony DUI must be filed within three years, and a DUI becomes a felony on a fourth or subsequent conviction, or when impaired driving causes serious bodily injury to another person. A DUI causing death combined with leaving the scene carries a five-year limitations period from the date the death is discovered.
If you leave Colorado after a DUI arrest, the criminal statute of limitations is paused (tolled) for up to five years, which means returning to the state can still expose you to charges within that extended window. Separately, you have only seven days from the date of arrest to request a DMV hearing to challenge your license suspension. Missing the DMV deadline is irreversible, and the license suspension takes effect automatically regardless of whether the criminal case is later reduced or dismissed. Acting quickly after an arrest is the single most important factor in protecting both your driving privileges and your criminal record.
Colorado treats your driver’s license through a separate administrative track from your criminal case. After a DUI arrest, the Colorado Department of Revenue can suspend or revoke your driving privileges through the DMV regardless of what happens in court. Understanding these license consequences is essential because they often take effect before your criminal case is resolved. Attorney Shazam Kianpour and our team handle both the criminal case and the DMV side simultaneously, so nothing falls through the cracks.
For a first DUI conviction in Colorado, you face a nine-month license suspension. A second conviction within five years results in a one-year revocation. A third or subsequent conviction can carry a two-year revocation or longer. If you refuse chemical testing after an arrest, Colorado’s express consent law triggers an automatic one-year license revocation for a first refusal, two years for a second, and three years for a third, and these refusal penalties apply on top of any conviction-based suspension.
Colorado also designates drivers as persistent drunk drivers (PDDs) when they have two or more DUI or DWAI convictions, refused BAC testing, or tested at a BAC of .15% or higher. A PDD designation requires an ignition interlock device (IID) for at least two years after license reinstatement, mandatory Level II alcohol education and therapy, and SR-22 high-risk insurance for two or three years. The cost of these requirements, combined with reinstatement fees, insurance premium increases, and lost work time, can run into thousands of dollars over the suspension period.
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 more than 22 years of dedicated criminal defense experience to the table, with over 10,000 criminal cases handled across the Denver metro area. Whether it is a first-offense DUI or a felony charge, we treat every case with the seriousness it deserves.
Our team understands the dynamics of the courtroom from both sides. Shazam Kianpour previously served as a public defender, and members of our team have served in roles such as training director and press secretary for the district attorney’s office, as well as former prosecutors for Colorado. That dual perspective lets us anticipate how the prosecution will build its case and where the evidence may break down.
We are available 24/7 to make sure you receive the support and guidance you need throughout this challenging time. Our goal is straightforward: to put our knowledge, our courtroom experience, and our dedication to work for you.
Yes. A first-offense DUI in Colorado is still a misdemeanor that can carry up to one year in jail, fines up to $1,000, a nine-month license suspension, and up to 96 hours of public service. A first DUI also creates a permanent criminal record that affects background checks, employment, and insurance for years to come. Many first-time offenders avoid the harshest outcomes with effective legal representation, but only when the process is handled carefully from the start. Even apparent open-and-shut cases often have viable defenses once the traffic stop, testing procedure, and chain of custody are examined.
Under Colorado Revised Statute 16-5-401, prosecutors have 18 months from the date of the alleged offense to file misdemeanor DUI or DWAI charges. Felony DUI charges must be filed within three years, and DUI causing death combined with leaving the scene carries a five-year deadline. If you leave Colorado after the alleged offense, the clock pauses for up to five years. Separately, you have only seven days from your arrest to request a DMV hearing, which is the deadline most people miss without realizing it.
DUI defense fees in Denver vary based on the complexity of the case, whether it goes to trial, and the attorney’s level of experience. First-offense misdemeanor DUI representation typically runs from a few thousand dollars for a plea-based resolution to higher amounts for cases that go to trial. Felony DUI cases involving multiple priors or serious bodily injury can run substantially higher. At Shazam Kianpour & Associates, P.C., we offer free initial consultations so you can understand your options and our fee structure before you commit to representation.
Act quickly. Contact a Denver DUI lawyer as soon as possible so the seven-day DMV hearing window is preserved. Avoid posting about the arrest on social media, and do not have the arrested family member discuss the case over the jail phone or with anyone other than an attorney. Bring any documentation you have to the consultation, including the arrest paperwork and any chemical test results. The sooner an attorney is involved, the more options remain on the table.
DUI cases in the Denver metro area are typically handled in Denver County Court for arrests inside Denver city limits. Arrests in surrounding municipalities are heard in the corresponding county court, including Adams County Court, Arapahoe County Court, Jefferson County Court, Douglas County Court, and Boulder County Court. The Denver Police Department, Colorado State Patrol, and local agencies all file DUI charges in the appropriate court based on where the arrest occurred. Our attorneys have appeared in courts across the Front Range and know the local prosecutors, judges, and procedural details of each jurisdiction.
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.
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.
When you need a defense attorney who will fight hard for you, contact Shazam Kianpour & Associates, P.C. today for a free consultation.
