2023 Colorado Revised Statutes › Title 42 - VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC (§§ 42-1-101 — 42-21-106) › DRIVERS LICENSES (§§ 42-2-101 — 42-2-604) › Article 2 - DRIVERS' LICENSES (§§ 42-2-101 — 42-2-604) › Part 1 - DRIVERS' LICENSES (§§ 42-2-101 — 42-2-144) › Section 42-2-132.5 - Mandatory and voluntary restricted licenses following alcohol convictions - rules

(1)
Persons required to hold an interlock-restricted license.
(a)
The following persons shall hold an interlock-restricted license pursuant to this section for at least one year following reinstatement prior to being eligible to obtain any other driver's license issued under this article:
(I)
A person whose license has been revoked for excess BAC pursuant to the provisions of section
42-2-126
when the person's BAC was 0.15 or more at the time of driving or within two hours after driving or whose driving record otherwise indicates a designation of persistent drunk driver as defined in section
42-1-102
(68.5);
(II)
A person whose privilege to drive was revoked as an habitual offender under section
42-2-203
in which the revocation was due in part to a DUI, DUI per se, or DWAI conviction; or
(III)
A person whose privilege to drive was revoked for interlock circumvention pursuant to paragraph (a) or (b) of subsection (7) of this section.
(b)
A person whose privilege to drive was revoked for multiple convictions for any combination of a DUI, DUI per se, or DWAI pursuant to section
42-2-125 (1)(g)(I) or (1)(i)
shall hold an interlock-restricted license pursuant to this section for at least two years, but not more than five years, following reinstatement prior to being eligible to obtain any other driver's license issued under this article.
(2)
Posting the interlock restriction to driving record prior to reinstatement of driving privileges.
As soon as a person meets the conditions of subsection (1) of this section, the department shall note on the driving record of a person required to hold an interlock-restricted license under this section that the person is required to have an approved ignition interlock device. A person whose driving record contains the notation required by this subsection (2) shall not operate a motor vehicle without an approved ignition interlock device until the restriction is removed pursuant to this section.
(3)
Minimum interlock restriction requirement for persistent drunk drivers.
A person required to hold an interlock-restricted license pursuant to this section who is a persistent drunk driver as defined in section
42-1-102
(68.5), based on an offense that occurred on or after July 1, 2004, shall be required to hold the interlock-restricted license for at least two years following reinstatement before being eligible to obtain any other driver's license issued under this article.
(4)
Persons who may acquire an interlock-restricted license prior to serving a full-term revocation.
(a)
(I)
A person whose privilege to drive has been revoked for one year or more because of a DUI, DUI per se, or DWAI conviction or has been revoked for one year or more for excess BAC pursuant to section
42-2-126
may apply for an early reinstatement with an interlock-restricted license pursuant to this section at any time; except that a person who is less than twenty-one years of age at the time of the offense may not apply for early reinstatement until the person's license has been revoked for one year. A person whose privilege to drive has been revoked for one year or more because of a refusal may apply for an early reinstatement with an interlock-restricted license pursuant to this section after the person's privilege to drive has been revoked for two months; except that a person who is less than twenty-one years of age at the time of the offense may not apply for early reinstatement until the person's license has been revoked for one year. Except for first-time offenders as provided in subsection (4)(a)(II) of this section or for persistent drunk drivers as provided in subsection (3) of this section, the restrictions imposed pursuant to this section remain in effect for the longer of one year or the total time period remaining on the license restraint prior to early reinstatement.
(II)
(A)
First-time offender eligibility.
For revocations for convictions for DUI or DUI per se pursuant to section
42-2-125 (1)
(b.5) or for excess BAC 0.08 pursuant to section
42-2-126 (3)(a)(I)
for a first violation that requires only a nine-month revocation, a person twenty-one years of age or older at the time of the offense may apply for an early reinstatement with an interlock-restricted license pursuant to this section at any time. Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section and subsection (4)(a)(II)(B) of this section, the restrictions imposed pursuant to this subsection (4)(a)(II) remain in effect for the total time period remaining on the license restraint prior to early reinstatement.
(B)
First-time offender interlock removal.
A person with an interlock-restricted license issued pursuant to sub-subparagraph (A) of this subparagraph (II) shall be eligible for a license without the restriction required by this section if the department's monthly monitoring reports required in subsection (6) of this section show that, for four consecutive monthly reporting periods, the approved ignition interlock device did not interrupt or prevent the normal operation of the motor vehicle due to an excessive breath alcohol content or did not detect that there has been tampering with the device, there have been no other reports of circumvention or tampering, and there are no grounds to extend the restriction pursuant to paragraph (d) of subsection (7) of this section. If the department determines that a person is eligible for a license without the restriction required by this section pursuant to this sub-subparagraph (B), the department shall serve upon the person a notice of such eligibility. A person who has not been served but who believes he or she is eligible for a license without the restriction required by this section pursuant to this sub-subparagraph (B) may request a hearing on his or her eligibility. The provisions of this sub-subparagraph (B) do not apply to a person covered by subsection (3) of this section.
(C)
Financial assistance for first-time offenders and persistent drunk drivers.
The department shall establish a program to assist persons who apply for an interlock-restricted license pursuant to this subparagraph (II) or pursuant to subparagraph (I) of paragraph (a) of this subsection (4) and who are unable to pay the full cost of an approved ignition interlock device. The program shall be funded from the first time drunk driving offender account in the highway users tax fund established pursuant to section
42-2-132 (4)(b)(II)
.
(b)
Early reinstatement eligibility requirement.
(I)
To be eligible for early reinstatement with an interlock-restricted license pursuant to this subsection (4), a person shall have satisfied all conditions for reinstatement imposed by law including time periods for non-alcohol-related restraints; except that a person whose license was also restrained for driving under restraint pursuant to section
42-2-138
may be eligible for early reinstatement under this section so long as the restraint was caused in part by driving activity occurring after an alcohol-related offense and the length of any license restriction under this section includes the period of restraint under section
42-2-138
.
(II)
Before being eligible for early reinstatement with an interlock-restricted license under this section, a person shall provide proof of financial responsibility to the department pursuant to the requirements of the "Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Act", article
7
of this title. The person shall maintain such proof of financial responsibility with the department for the longer of three years or the period that the person's license is restricted under this section; except that, for an offender subject to section
42-7-408 (1)(c)(I)
, the period of time that the person must maintain such proof of financial responsibility is the period of time that the person's license is restricted under this section.
(c)
In order to be eligible for early reinstatement pursuant to this subsection (4), a person who has been designated an habitual offender under the provisions of section
42-2-202
must have at least one conviction for DUI, DUI per se, or DWAI under section
42-4-1301
and no contributing violations other than violations for driving under restraint under section
42-2-138
or reckless driving under section
42-4-1401
.
(5)
Requirements for issuing the interlock-restricted license.
(a)
The department may issue an interlock-restricted license under this section if the department receives from a person described in this section an affidavit stating that the person has obtained:
(I)
A signed lease agreement for the installation and use of an approved ignition interlock device in each motor vehicle on which the person's name appears on the registration and any other vehicle that the person may drive during the period of the interlock-restricted license; and
(II)
The written consent of all other owners, if any, of each motor vehicle in which the approved ignition interlock device is installed.
(b)
(I)
Notwithstanding the requirements of paragraph (a) of this subsection (5), the department may issue an interlock-restricted license to any person not seeking early reinstatement but who is required to hold an interlock-restricted license pursuant to subsection (1) of this section who is not the registered owner or co-owner of a motor vehicle if the person submits an affidavit stating that the person is not the owner or co-owner of a motor vehicle and has no access to a motor vehicle in which to install an approved ignition interlock device.
(II)
If a person holding an interlock-restricted license issued pursuant to this paragraph (b) becomes an owner or co-owner of a motor vehicle or otherwise has access to a motor vehicle in which an approved ignition interlock device may be installed, he or she shall enter into a lease agreement for the installation and use of an approved ignition interlock device on the vehicle for a period equal to the remaining period of the interlock-restricted license and submit the affidavit described in paragraph (a) of this subsection (5).
(c)
The terms of the interlock-restricted license shall prohibit the person from driving a motor vehicle other than a vehicle in which an approved ignition interlock device is installed.
(d)
The department shall not issue a license under this section that authorizes the operation of a commercial motor vehicle as defined in section
42-2-402 (4)
during the restriction required by this section.
(6)
Interlock monitoring device - reports.
The leasing agency for any approved ignition interlock device shall provide monthly monitoring reports for the device to the department to monitor compliance with the provisions of this section. The leasing agency shall check the device at least once every sixty days to ensure that the device is operating and that there has been no tampering with the device. If the leasing agency detects that there has been tampering with the device, the leasing agency shall notify the department of that fact within five days of the detection.
(7)
Licensing sanctions for violating the interlock restrictions.
(a)
Due to circumvention - conviction.
Upon receipt of notice of a conviction under subsection (10) of this section, the department shall revoke any interlock-restricted license issued to the convicted person pursuant to this section. The department shall not reinstate the interlock-restricted license for a period of one year or the remaining period of license restraint imposed prior to the issuance of an interlock-restricted license pursuant to this section, whichever is longer. A person is entitled to a hearing on the question of whether the revocation is sustained and the calculation of the length of the ineligibility.
(b)
Due to circumvention - administrative record.
Upon receipt of an administrative record other than a notice of a conviction described in paragraph (a) of this subsection (7) establishing that a person who is subject to the restrictions of this section has operated a motor vehicle without an approved ignition interlock device or has circumvented or attempted to circumvent the proper use of an approved ignition interlock device, the department may revoke any license issued to the person pursuant to this section and not reinstate the license for a period of one year or the remaining period of license restraint imposed prior to the issuance of an interlock-restricted license pursuant to this section, whichever is longer. A person is entitled to a hearing on the question of whether the license should be revoked and the calculation of the length of the ineligibility.
(c)
Due to a lease violation.
If a lease for an approved ignition interlock device is terminated for any reason before the period of the interlock restriction expires and the licensee provides no other such lease, the department shall notify the licensee that the department shall suspend the license until the licensee enters into a new signed lease agreement for the remaining period of the interlock restriction.
(d)
Extending the interlock license restriction.
If the monthly monitoring reports required by subsection (6) of this section show that the approved ignition interlock device interrupted or prevented the normal operation of the vehicle due to excessive breath alcohol content in three of any twelve consecutive reporting periods, the department shall extend the interlock restriction on the person's license for an additional twelve months after the expiration of the existing interlock restriction. The department shall notify the person that the ignition interlock restriction is being extended and that his or her license shall be suspended unless the person enters into a new signed lease agreement for the use of an approved ignition interlock device for the extended period. The person is entitled to a hearing on the extension of the restriction. Based upon findings at the hearing, including aggravating and mitigating factors, the hearing officer may sustain the extension, rescind the extension, or reduce the period of extension.
(8)
Rules.
The department may promulgate rules to implement the provisions of this section.
(9)
Approved ignition interlock device definition - rules.
(a)
For the purposes of this section, "approved ignition interlock device" means a device approved by the department of public health and environment that is installed in a motor vehicle and that measures the breath alcohol content of the driver before a vehicle is started and that periodically requires additional breath samples during vehicle operation. The device may not allow a motor vehicle to be started or to continue normal operation if the device measures an alcohol level above the level established by the department of public health and environment.
(b)
The state board of health may promulgate rules to implement the provisions of this subsection (9) concerning approved ignition interlock devices.
(10)
Operating vehicle after circumventing interlock device.
(a)
A person whose privilege to drive is restricted to the operation of a motor vehicle equipped with an approved ignition interlock device and who operates a motor vehicle other than a motor vehicle equipped with an approved ignition interlock device or who circumvents or attempts to circumvent the proper use of an approved ignition interlock device commits a class 1 traffic misdemeanor.
(b)
If a peace officer issues a citation pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subsection (10), the peace officer shall immediately confiscate the offending driver's license, shall file an incident report on a form provided by the department, and shall not permit the driver to continue to operate the motor vehicle.
(c)
A court shall not accept a plea of guilty to another offense from a person charged with a violation of paragraph (a) of this subsection (10); except that the court may accept a plea of guilty to another offense upon a good-faith representation by the prosecuting attorney that the attorney could not establish a prima facie case if the defendant were brought to trial on the offense.
(11)
Tampering with an approved ignition interlock device.
(a)
A person shall not intercept, bypass, or interfere with or aid any other person in intercepting, bypassing, or interfering with an approved ignition interlock device for the purpose of preventing or hindering the lawful operation or purpose of the approved ignition interlock device required under this section.
(b)
A person whose privilege to drive is restricted to the operation of a motor vehicle equipped with an approved ignition interlock device shall not drive a motor vehicle in which an approved ignition interlock device is installed pursuant to this section if the person knows that any person has intercepted, bypassed, or interfered with the approved ignition interlock device.
(c)
A person violating any provision of this subsection (11) commits a class 2 misdemeanor and shall be punished as provided in section
18-1.3-501
.
Amended by 2022 Ch. 467, § 1, eff. 8/10/2022, app. to offenses committed on or after 1/1/2023.
Amended by 2021 Ch. 462, § 708, eff. 3/1/2022.
L. 99: Entire section added, p. 1160, § 4, effective July 1. L. 2000: (1) and (2) amended, (3)(a.5) added, and (4)(a) and (4)(b) repealed, pp. 1076, 1077, §§ 4, 5, 6, effective July 1; (1.5), (6), and (7) added and (3), (4)(c), and (5) amended, p. 1079, § 10, effective 1/1/2001. L. 2002: (1)(a) amended, p. 1918, § 7, effective July 1. L. 2004: (5)(b) amended, p. 170, § 1, effective March 23; (1.7) added and (3)(a) amended, p. 1130, § 1, effective July 1. L. 2006: (1)(b.5) and (1.8) added, p. 1368, §§ 6, 7, effective 1/1/2007. L. 2008: (1)(a), (1)(b.5), (1)(c), and (1.5)(a) amended, p. 249, § 12, effective July 1; (1.5)(a) and (3)(a) amended, p. 835, § 6, effective 1/1/2009. L. 2012: Entire section R&RE, (HB 12-1168), ch. 1476, p. 1476, § 1, effective August 8. L. 2013: (1)(a), (1)(c), and (4)(c) amended, (HB 13-1325), ch. 1882, p. 1882, § 10, effective May 28; (1)(b), (4)(a)(I), and (4)(a)(II)(C) amended, (HB 13-1240), ch. 2111, p. 2111, § 1, effective 1/1/2014. L. 2015: (1) amended, (HB 15-1043), ch. 995, p. 995, § 3, effective August 5. L. 2021: (11)(c) amended, (HB 21-271), ch. 3300, p. 3300, § 708, effective 3/1/2022.
Section 803(2) of chapter 462 (SB 21-271), Session Laws of Colorado 2021, provides that the act changing this section applies to offenses committed on or after March 1, 2022.
2022 Ch. 467, was passed without a safety clause. See Colo. Const. art. V, § 1(3).
2021 Ch. 462, was passed without a safety clause. See Colo. Const. art. V, § 1(3).