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DUI IN COLORADO

The Better Way to Know about Colorado DUI Laws & Penalties

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Key Takeaways

  • People in Colorado who don't have a DUI pay about $1,387 a year for full coverage, but people who do have a DUI pay about $2,116 a year for the same coverage.
  • Progressive and State Farm are the least expensive car insurance companies for people who have had a DUI.

Colorado Car Insurance with a DUI

If you get a DUI in Colorado and your driver's license is suspended or canceled, your insurance company may not cover you or refuse to renew your policy. Your rates could increase by as much as $735 if your insurance company keeps you on. People in Colorado who don't have a DUI pay about $1,387 a year for full coverage, but people who do have a DUI pay about $2,110 a year for the same coverage.

Following a DUI in Colorado can cause your full coverage car insurance rates to rise by as much as 59%. This is on top of having your license taken away, having limited driving rights, and having to use an ignition blocker.

How Do You Find Affordable Car Insurance in Colorado after a DUI?

Insurance rates can be significantly higher after a DUI or DWAI arrest in Colorado than other traffic violations. It's crucial to compare insurance rates to find the cheapest option, as the additional cost may be more substantial than other penalties.

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Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in Colorado after a DUI

Progressive and State Farm are the least expensive car insurance companies for people who have had a DUI. Progressive has the cheapest policies nationwide, but State Farm has the cheapest policies in most states, including Colorado.

Cheapest Companies for Full Coverage in Colorado After a DUI

The cheapest car insurance providers in Colorado for a full coverage policy after a DUI are:

  • State Farm: $1,257 per year
  • Allstate: $1,540 per year
Company Annual Premium
State Farm $1,257
USAA $1,354
Allstate $1,540
Travelers $1,793
Esurance $1,849

Cheapest Companies for Minimum Coverage in Colorado after a DUI

Your policy's coverage also impacts how much your premiums are.

For basic coverage after a DUI, these Colorado car insurance companies offer the best deals:

  • State Farm: $618 per year
Company Minimum Annual Premium
USAA $562
State Farm $618
Esurance $950
Allstate $954

Getting Car Insurance in Colorado with a DUI

A lot of car insurance companies won't cover people who have been convicted of DUI. Since insurance companies are private businesses, they want to make money while reducing the risk they face. So, technically, they can choose not to renew or cancel policies for people caught driving under the influence.

In Colorado, it can be hard to get insurance because the look-back period lasts for the driver's whole life. You should get quotes from several insurance companies and choose the one that gives you the best rate for your needs.

Best Car Insurance after a DUI in Colorado

It is possible to get the cheapest car insurance by choosing a package with the bare minimum of coverage. On the other hand, it doesn't usually defend most people well enough.

State Farm is Colorado's best car insurance company for people who have a DUI because it offers the most basic coverage. If you have been convicted of DUI, State Farm offers rates that are 39% lower than the state's average insurance rate. In Colorado, Farmers are the most expensive.

How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Colorado after a DUI?

If you get a DUI in Colorado, your car insurance rates increase by almost 53%. An average full coverage policy for someone with a clean record costs $1,387 annually. On the other hand, drivers with a DUI need to pay $2,116 per year for the same insurance.

How Does a DUI Affect Car Insurance Premiums in Colorado?

If you get a DUI in Colorado, your car insurance will cost an extra $607 a year. That's 83% less than the average rate increase across the country after a DUI.

DUI Laws in Colorado

A DUI has very serious legal effects. While DUI penalties change from state to state, most of them include losing your license, paying fines and fees, installing an ignition interlock device (IID), and going to jail. Colorado's DUI rules are given below.

  • A DUI is when you drive with a BAC of 0.08 or more.

The amount of alcohol in your blood is called your blood alcohol content (BAC). The lowest BAC level in Colorado is 0.08. That said, you can still be caught even if your BAC is below this limit if you cannot drive.

More punishments for driving with a BAC of 0.15 or more will be given.

  • People who drive in Colorado with a BAC of 0.15 will be called "persistent drunk drivers."
  • This needs to be accompanied by an ignition blocker for at least one year.
  • No probationary limited license can be given out for any reason.
  • A person with a BAC of 0.20 can get ten days in jail or up to a year in prison, a $600 to $1,500 fine, and 48 to 120 hours of community work, with 48 hours having to be done.
  • After the first offense, the license is taken away.

When you drive in Colorado with a BAC of 0.15 or greater, your license will be taken away for at least three months.

  • Not enough driving rights

While your license is suspended, you can only drive in certain situations.

  • The ignition interlocks

In Colorado, people with a BAC of 0.15 or more and people who have been convicted of DUI more than once must use an ignition interlock system. This is also a very good deal for people who have never been charged with DUI.

  • Laws on open containers

Colorado's "open container" rules say you can't have an open alcohol container in your car.

DWAI Penalties in Colorado

DWAI offenses are commonly considered misdemeanors in Colorado.

First-time offense

The sentence includes two to 180 days in jail, fines ranging from $200 to $500, up to 96 hours of community service, potential interlock ignition device use, alcohol course attendance, and eight points toward license suspension.

Second-time offense

The sentence includes 45 days to one year in jail, fines varying from $300 to $1,000, a one-year license revocation, up to 96 hours of community service, and potential alcohol course requirements.

DUI Penalties in Colorado

The sentence includes 90 to 364 days in jail, fines ranging from $2,045.50 to $5,000, license revocation for three years, and a potential requirement to use an IID for at least ten years.

Along with the above punishments, a judge may also order DUI violators to go through a treatment program, an alcohol or drug education program, or the 24/7 Sobriety Program.

First-time offense

The sentence includes a five-day jail sentence, fines ranging from $600 to $1,000, a nine-month suspended license, community service of up to 96 hours, and potential installation of an IID.

Second-time offense

The sentence includes ten days to one year in jail, $600 to $1,500 fines, a one-year license revocation, till 120 hours of community service, possible installation of an IID, and alcohol courses.

DUI Penalties for Underage Drinkers in Colorado

Underage DUI in Colorado is a class A traffic infraction, with subsequent violations being misdemeanors. First-time offenders face fines up to $150, a three-month driver's license, community service, four points on their driving record, alcohol/drug evaluation, and treatment program attendance. Second-time offenses result in fines and jail time.

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INSURANCE AGENT EXPERTS

Wilson Mathew Nechikat

Wilson Mathew Nechikat

Principal

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Anthony Luu

Anthony Luu

Sr. Director of Insurance Operations

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Ezra Peterson

Ezra Peterson

Sr. Director of Insurance

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Danny Herrera

Danny Herrera

Head of Commercial Insurance

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Auto Insurance Data Methodology

The auto insurance rates published in this guide are based on the results of research completed by Way.com’s data team. Using a mix of public and internal data, we analyzed millions of rate averages across U.S. ZIP codes.

Quotes are typically based on a full coverage policy average unless otherwise noted within the content.

These rates were publicly sourced from insurer filings and should be used for comparative purposes only — your own quotes will differ. Given this, it’s important to go through our insurance steps form to find how much you can save with way.com

Frequently Asked Questions

Is DWI a felony in Colorado?

Yes. If you cause someone else to die in an accident while impaired or under the influence, you are guilty of a class 3 crime. A DUI that kills someone is usually called vehicular murder.

If I get a DUI in Colorado, will my insurance company still pay for me?

This is entirely up to your insurance company. We suggest you talk to them personally because Colorado law allows insurers to cancel your policy, refuse to renew it, or keep covering you even though you are a high-risk driver.

How much do Colorado car insurance rates go up after a DUI?

If you get a DUI in Colorado, your car insurance rates go up by almost 53%. A full coverage policy for someone with a clean record costs about $1,381 a year, but drivers with a DUI pay about $2,110 a year for the same insurance.

What Colorado car insurance company has the lowest rates for people who have been DUI?

If you have a DUI in Colorado, State Farm is the best and cheapest car insurance company. This is true for both full coverage and minimum coverage plans.

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