Legally Reviewed by Shazam Kianpour on August 25, 2026
A DUI arrest can threaten a person’s job no matter what that job is, and professional athletes are no exception. A look back at a report on Denver Broncos players who faced legal trouble illustrates a broader point: a DUI charge can put a career, a license, and personal freedom all at risk at once, regardless of who is behind the wheel.
A Report on Legal Trouble Among Denver Broncos Players
For the past couple of weeks, Denver sports reports have been filled with stories of NFL players accused of domestic violence, child abuse and more. While our Denver Broncos have not been front and center in the latest scandals, they have certainly snagged their share of past headlines.
In fact, according to an investigative report, there have been 14 Denver Broncos arrested in just the past four years, including several taken into custody and charged with DUI.
Perhaps only the most devout Broncos fans recall the brief stay with the team enjoyed by center/guard Quentin Saulsberry. Last year, he was accused of DUI after being stopped by a police officer in Arapahoe County.
His case has not yet been resolved, according to the report.
A little more well-known is Von Miller, who was also pulled over last year in Arapahoe County. The accusations against him in that case – driving with a suspended license and speeding – have also yet to be resolved. Fans will remember that that was not his only brush with the law in 2013. He was also arrested for failure to appear in court on outstanding traffic charges that included careless driving and driving without a license.
Those charges are also unresolved.
Outstanding running back Knowshon Moreon is gone, but not forgotten. He’s remembered for not only his outstanding play, but also for being charged with DUI after he had been stopped for speeding.
The report listed the arrest as “resolution undetermined.”
Please use the link at the bottom of the blog post for more details on arrests of Broncos.
Few people pulled over have NFL careers at stake, but many have jobs threatened by a DUI, as well as loss of license and even loss of freedom. An experienced attorney will help you understand your legal options and help you pursue a favorable outcome.
Source: Coloradoan, “Broncos have had their share of players get in trouble,” Sept. 18, 2014
Why a DUI Arrest Puts More Than a Driving Record at Risk
Whether someone holds a professional sports contract, a commercial driver’s license, a nursing license, or any other job that depends on a clean record, a DUI arrest can put far more on the line than the criminal case alone. Many employers, licensing boards, and professional leagues have their own conduct policies that can trigger consequences independent of whatever happens in court, and those consequences can sometimes move faster than the criminal case itself.
What a DUI Arrest Can Affect Beyond the Courtroom
A DUI arrest in Colorado can lead to consequences in several different places at once:
- Driver’s license status, since Colorado’s DMV can pursue an administrative license suspension separate from the criminal case, often on a faster timeline.
- Employment and professional licensing, particularly for jobs that require a clean driving record, a security clearance, or good standing with a licensing board.
- Immigration status, for non-citizens, since certain criminal convictions can carry immigration consequences beyond the criminal sentence itself.
Because these consequences can move on their own timeline, addressing only the criminal case and ignoring the administrative and professional side of a DUI arrest can leave a person unprepared for what follows.
How a DUI Case Moves Through the Colorado Court System
A Colorado DUI case typically starts with an arrest, followed by an advisement hearing where the charges are formally presented. From there, the case moves through pretrial proceedings, during which a defense attorney can challenge the stop, the field sobriety testing, and the chemical testing procedures used, before the case resolves through a plea, a dismissal, or a trial. Separately, Colorado’s DMV runs its own administrative process tied to license suspension, known as an Express Consent hearing, which has its own strict deadlines that run independently of the criminal case.
Missing the deadline to request an Express Consent hearing can result in an automatic license suspension, regardless of how the criminal case eventually turns out, which is one reason acting quickly after an arrest matters.
What to Do After a DUI Arrest in Colorado
Whether the stakes involve a career, a license, or simply the right to keep driving to work, the steps taken in the days after a DUI arrest can shape how the case unfolds. At Shazam Kianpour & Associates, P.C., we have represented clients across the Denver area on DUI charges, including cases where a client’s job or professional license was also on the line.
If you have been arrested for DUI in Colorado, contact our office as soon as possible so we can review the deadlines that apply to your case and discuss your options.
Frequently Asked Questions About DUI Arrests and Careers
Can a DUI arrest affect my job even before a case is resolved?
In some cases, yes. Many employers, licensing boards, and organizations have their own conduct policies that can respond to an arrest independently of how the criminal case eventually resolves.
Is a DUI license suspension separate from the criminal case?
Yes. Colorado’s DMV runs a separate administrative process, called an Express Consent hearing, that can result in a license suspension on its own timeline, independent of the outcome of the criminal case.
How quickly do I need to act after a DUI arrest to protect my license?
Very quickly. Missing the deadline to request an Express Consent hearing can result in an automatic license suspension, so it is important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible after an arrest.
Can a DUI arrest affect someone’s immigration status?
For non-citizens, certain criminal convictions can carry immigration consequences beyond the criminal sentence itself, which is why immigration status should be discussed with an attorney early in the case.
What can a defense attorney challenge in a DUI case?
A defense attorney can examine the legality of the traffic stop, how field sobriety testing was conducted, and how chemical testing was performed and documented, among other issues.
About the Attorney
Founding Attorney, Shazam Kianpour & Associates, P.C.
Shazam Kianpour is a Denver criminal defense attorney who has handled thousands of criminal and traffic cases, including DUI matters, across the Denver metro area. 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.