DUI Colorado – If you’ve been arrested for, or convicted of, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol (DUI) or driving while ability impaired (DWAI) in the state of Colorado, you’ll likely face a number of legal consequences. Among those, the Colorado Criminal Court will frequently mandate that you receive a substance abuse evaluation from a professional DUI Colorado evaluator who works for the local county probation office. In Colorado, persons convicted of DUIs, DWAIs, or UDDs should expect the court to require them to attend and complete specific safety courses related to drugs and alcohol.
Should you take your Alcohol Evaluation and start your Alcohol classes before you go to Court.? A lot of people do so you should consult with your attorney first in deciding what is right for you.
About Level I Education, Level II Education, & Level II Therapy in DUI Colorado
The website where you can find ALL of the approved treatment providers in your area (a 193-page document broken down by Judicial Districts) is at the Colorado Department of Human Services link below:
Colorado Community Programs for Behavioral Health
WHAT IS LEVEL I EDUCATION?
Level I Education consists of 12 hours of DUI coursework that takes place over at least a 3-day period; a single calendar day cannot exceed a maximum of 4 hours of class time. The course is typically conducted with several individuals within a classroom setting. People who have had multiple impaired driving offenses, or those with high-BAC results or BAC test refusals, are not eligible for Level I Education.
WHAT IS LEVEL II EDUCATION?
Level II Education is a course that contains 24 hours of DUI coursework that take place across 12 weeks. These courses usually occur in classroom settings; each class must have 12 or fewer participants. People may be required to take Level II Education alone, or it may be partnered with Level II Therapy.
WHAT IS LEVEL II THERAPY?
People who must take Level II Therapy will do so after they complete Level II Education. These courses range from 20 to 40 weeks, the duration of which is based on the requirements assigned by the court. The court may assign different track levels depending on various factors, such as:
- Whether the person has been arrested for impaired driving offenses previously
- The BAC the person registered when they were arrested
- Other clinical indicators
These tracks may be recommended by the probation officer or the treatment agency.
Here’s a Look at the State of Colorado Level II Therapy Track Guidelines
For people who were convicted of DUIs or DWAs on or after 01/01/14:
| Track | # Hours to be Completed | Weeks to Complete | Offender Status | BAC Level |
| A | 42 | 21 | First time | Below 0.15 |
| B | 52 | 26 | First time | 0.15 or above or a refusal |
| C | 68 | 34 | Prior DWAI/DUI | Below 0.15 |
| D | 86 | 43 | Prior DWA/DUI | 0.15 or above or a refusal |
For people who were convicted of DUIs or DWAs prior to 01/01/14:
| Track | # Hours to be Completed | Weeks to Complete | Offender Status | BAC Level |
| A | 42 | 21 | First time | Below 0.17 |
| B | 52 | 26 | First time | 0.17 or above or a refusal |
| C | 68 | 34 | Prior DWAI/DUI | Below 0.17 |
| D | 86 | 43 | Prior DWA/DUI | 0.17 or above or a refusal |
The website for ALL CDHS State Certified Substance Abuse Providers can be found at the Colorado Department of Human Services Website.
Can You Sign Up for Drug-and-Alcohol Classes Voluntarily?
Yes, you can. In fact, for many people who have been arrested for drug- or alcohol-related driving offenses, this can be a great way to begin mitigation immediately, rather than waiting for the courts to hand down your sentence. In many cases, defendants who proactively enroll in education and therapy classes with state-certified providers can realize benefits not afforded to those who don’t take this step, including the following possibilities:
- Plea negotiations
- Better sentencing
- Early termination of probation
- Reinstatement of driving privileges
DUI Colorado – Contact M. Colin Bresee, Colorado Defense Attorney
If you’ve been arrested for a drug- or alcohol-related driving offense, reach out to our office as soon as possible. We can help guide you through the process to ensure you realize the best possible outcome for your unique case.
