The First 7 Days After a Colorado DUI Arrest (Do This Now)
A DUI arrest is overwhelming because it triggers two separate problems at the same time: the criminal case in court and the driver’s license case through the DMV. The stressful part is that the DMV side often moves first.
In many Colorado DUI arrests, you have up to 7 days to request a DMV hearing, depending on how notice is issued. If you miss that window, the revocation can take effect automatically. cdor.colorado.gov
This article is general information, not legal advice. If you are dealing with an active DUI case, talk to an attorney about your specific facts and deadlines.
Step 1: Find out what paperwork you were given
Most people walk out of jail, sober up, and then cannot remember what they signed.
Look for these documents:
Express Consent Affidavit and Notice of Revocation (often given if there was a breath test or a refusal)
Notice of Revocation by mail (often associated with a blood draw situation) cdor.colorado.gov
Those papers usually control your DMV deadline and your ability to keep driving while your case is pending.
Step 2: Treat the DMV deadline like a ticking clock
Colorado’s Hearings Division explains that you will have up to 7 days to request a hearing after certain notices are issued, and if you do not request a hearing, the revocation will take effect as outlined by statute. cdor.colorado.gov
This is separate from your court date. Court may not happen for weeks. The DMV can hit you fast.
Step 3: Do not assume “the criminal case” decides your license
The DMV hearing is its own proceeding. The DMV even states the hearing is separate from the criminal case. Colorado DMV
Translation: you can be doing everything “right” in the court case and still lose your license on the DMV side if you miss deadlines or do not handle the administrative process correctly.
Step 4: Write down everything you remember (today)
Memory fades fast, and small details matter. Open your phone and type:
Where you were and where you were going
What you ate and drank and when
When you were stopped
What the officer said was the reason for the stop
Field sobriety tests you were asked to do
Whether you were offered breath or blood, and what happened next
Any medical issues, fatigue, anxiety, injuries, or medications that could affect balance or speech
You are not writing a novel. You are preserving facts while they are fresh.
Step 5: Make a “life impact” list
Most DUI cases are really about damage control. Courts and prosecutors often care about risk and patterns. Make a short list:
Your job and whether you drive for work
Any professional license concerns
Childcare or school pickup responsibilities
Travel already scheduled
Prior alcohol or drug history, if any
Prior criminal history, if any
This helps an attorney triage your situation quickly and advocate for realistic outcomes.
Step 6: Understand what penalties are even on the table
Colorado publishes a legislative summary that lays out common penalty ranges. For example, it lists 1st DUI or DUI per se as a misdemeanor with 5 days to 1 year in jail, $600 to $1,000 in fines, and 48 to 96 hours of public service. Colorado General Assembly
That is not what every case ends up being, but it shows why you should take this seriously early.
Step 7: Get real help before you accidentally make things worse
A DUI case is one of those situations where “I’ll deal with it later” can be expensive. The first week is where people:
Miss the DMV hearing request deadline
Say too much to the wrong person
Assume a friend’s outcome will match theirs
Lose driving privileges unexpectedly
If you were arrested for DUI in Northern Colorado (Weld County, Larimer County, and surrounding areas), we can help you understand what is happening, what is urgent, and what can wait.
If your DUI arrest was within the last week, contact Gant Law now. The sooner you talk to counsel, the more options you usually preserve.
