Colorado DWI Offense Records

Driving while intoxicated or DWI is the offense of operating any motor driven vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol or both. DWI is an offense in all the states of the United States. It is referred to in different states by different names. It is also known as operating under influence or OUI, impaired driving, drunken driving etc. In the state of Colorado DWI is referred to as driving under influence or DUI.

Colorado DWI laws are similar to other states of the country. However, the Driving While Ability Impaired or DWAI law of the state of Colorado declares it illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration that is lower than the limit set by most of the other states in the country. In most states, driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or more is a punishable offense per the state laws. In Colorado, the legal limit is 0.05 percent.

For drivers below 21 years of age, driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.02 percent or more but less than 0.08 percent is illegal. Driving with a blood alcohol level of 0.05 percent to 0.07 percent is a case of driving while impaired and driving with an alcohol concentration level of 0.08 percent or more is a case of driving under influence.

First Time Colorado DWI Offenders

The penalties for a drunken driving conviction for the first time in the state of Colorado, with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or more, are jail sentence (from five days to one year) and a fine of $600 and no more than $1,000. The offender’s driver’s license is suspended for a period of nine months and he or she also has to take part in community service for at least 48 hours and at most 96 hours.

In case of a first DWAI offense, the jail sentence may be from 48 hours to a maximum of 180 days, the amount of fine is from $200 to $500. The offender’s license is not suspended in this case and the duration of public service is from 24 hours to 48 hours.

Second Time Colorado DWI Offenders

For a second Colorado DWI conviction, the offender is sentenced to jail for a period of 90 days to one year. The amount of fine goes up to $1,500 and is no less than $1,000. The offender’s driver’s license is suspended for one year and the court may also order for the installation of the ignition interlock device in the car of the offender.

The ignition interlock device is installed as a measure to check drunken driving. The driver needs to breathe in the interlock device before starting the car. If the device registers an alcohol content exceeding the legal limit in the state, the car will not start.

The penalties for subsequent DUI and DWAI offenses in Colorado and DUI offenses with previous DWAI offense are more severe.

Records of Colorado DWI

The Colorado Department of Revenue, Division of Motor Vehicles keeps a record of all the DUI and DWAI cases in the state of Colorado. These driving records maintained by the Division of Motor Vehicles show all the cases that have been registered in the state for the past seven years. The records are maintained only for seven years. These records, maintained as per the State law and the Federal law can be accessed by the public.

You may order for a copy of your own driving records. There are two methods of obtaining your own driving records in Colorado. You may either visit the driver’s license office of the state to procure a non-certified copy of the record or you may also mail your request to the same office. In case you opt for the second method, you need to mention the following information with your request

•    Your full name
•    Date of birth
•    Driver’s license number
•    A complete and legible signature with the request application

You must also specify whether you want a certified or a non-certified copy of the records. A certified copy of driving records is issued only by the Driver Services at 1881 Pierce in Lakewood office. You will be charged a fee of $2.20 for obtaining a non-certified copy of the records while a certified copy of your records will cost you $2.70. The department takes about ten to fourteen business days after your request is forwarded to issue your copy of the documents.

You may mail in your request at Department of Revenue, Division of Motor Vehicles, Driver Control Section, Denver, CO 80261-0016.

The business address is Department of Revenue, Division of Motor Vehicles, Driver Control Section, 1881 Pierce4 Street, Lakewood, CO 80214.

You may also mail your request at, via express mail, Department of Revenue, Division of Motor Vehicles, Driver Control Section, 1881 Pierce Street, Lakewood, CO 80214.

Owing to Privacy Laws in the state of Colorado, you cannot access others’ driving reports. If you need to access any other person’s records you may do so only with  written permission from that individual. You may download the form DR2489 from the Internet and proceed to make your request as per the rules. The mailing addresses are the same as the ones mentioned above.

For more information on Colorado DWI records you may visit the official website of the Department of Revenue, Division of Motor Vehicles, Colorado at http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/Revenue-MV/RMV/1186476453217. Here you will find all details related to maintenance of and access to the driving records in the state.