Colorado Ignition Interlock Devices

An ignition interlock is a device installed in vehicles to prevent people from driving while under the influence of alcohol. It requires a breath sample before the engine starts, and you will be required to provide breath samples regularly while driving. The vehicle will not start if the device detects an elevated alcohol concentration level.

General Information About Colorado IID

  • Prior laws involving alcohol violations, Persistent Drunk Drivers (PDD), and the Ignition Interlock program were significantly altered by legislation that went into effect on January 1, 2014. Among the changes are:
  • The reduction of the driver's Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) on a chemical test from 0.17 to 0.15 qualifies him as a Persistent Drunk Driver.
  • Refusing a chemical test at a traffic stop on or after January 1, 2014, will now result in the designation of Persistent Drunk Driver.
  • Suppose a driver refused a chemical test before January 1, 2014, and was previously ineligible for early reinstatement with Interlock. In that case, they may either complete the remainder of their revocation and reinstate with full driving privileges or serve at least two months and apply for early reinstatement with Interlock for one year. In this case, they are not eligible for Financial Assistance.
  • If a driver has a history of multiple alcohol violations or refusals, the wait time for early reinstatement with Interlock has been reduced to one or two months.

Ignition Interlock Devices Compliance

Arrested For DUI

  • 1st DUI or Per Se conviction
    • After serving one month of revocation, you may be eligible for early reinstatement - a 2-year interlock requirement if your BAC is higher than.15.
    • After serving one month of revocation, you may be eligible for early reinstatement - an 8-month Interlock requirement with low BAC.
  • If under a separate driving restraint, first per se.
    • May be eligible for early reinstatement after either an 8-month interlock requirement (2 years for PDD Designation) or the remainder of the most extended restraint period and approval from the Department.
  • Per Se, plus 2nd Conviction
    • A two-year interlock is required.
    • The interlock requirement of two years may be reinstated early after serving one month.

Refusing A Chemical Test

  • Interlock is required automatically every two years.
  • Early reinstatement may be possible:
    • First offense: After serving two months, a two-year interlock requirement is imposed.
    • Second offense: After serving two months, a two-year interlock requirement is imposed.
    • Third and subsequent offenses: A two-year interlock requirement is imposed after serving two months.

Habitual Traffic Offenders

If you are convicted of three "qualifying offenses" within seven years (based on the date of violation, not the date of conviction), your license will be revoked for five years. "Qualifying offenses" include, but are not limited to, the following:
  • Driving while suspended or revoked
  • Driving while ability impaired (DWAI)
  • Driving under the influence (DUI)
  • Unsafe driving
  • Assault on a vehicle
  • Homicide by vehicle
You may be eligible for early reinstatement with an interlock requirement for at least one year or the remainder of the restraint period if you meet the following criteria:
  • You have at least one contributing alcohol driving offense that occurred on or after July 1, 2000, AND
  • You have served at least one month of revocation and have been approved by the department for early reinstatement.

Penalties For IID Noncompliance

Any Interlock-restricted driver who drives a non-equipped vehicle or attempts to circumvent the proper operation of the interlock device faces license revocation and a year of no driving. Every sixty days, the Interlock device must be serviced. An Interlock-restricted driver who fails to report for device servicing will have their license suspended and cannot drive until the driver returns to compliance. Any driver whose interlock lease is canceled by the provider or whose requirement has not been completed will be suspended until the driver enters a new lease agreement. Suppose the device prevents you from driving after detecting alcohol in three of the previous twelve months. In that case, you may face suspension and additional time on your interlock requirement, up to one year for each set of three failures.