Colorado Springs, CO criminal defense attorney Gannon Becker talks about the possible penalties for DUIs. He shares that the potential penalties for first, second, and third DUI offenses in Colorado are all classified as misdemeanors, though the severity increases with subsequent offenses. For a first-offense DUI, probation typically ranges from 12 to 24 months, while second- and third-offense DUIs may result in two to four years of probation.

As part of probation, individuals are generally required to complete an alcohol evaluation, participate in alcohol education courses—often two hours per week over multiple weeks—and may also be required to attend alcohol therapy, victim impact panels, or perform community service. Jail time varies by offense: a first-offense DUI can result in five days to one year in jail, with a mandatory minimum of ten days if the blood alcohol content exceeds 0.20. A second offense carries a potential sentence of ten days to one year in county jail, while a third offense can result in 60 days to one year in county jail.

Probation can be either supervised or unsupervised. Unsupervised probation requires the individual to self-manage compliance with all conditions, including filing reports with the court. Supervised probation involves regular check-ins with a probation officer, either in person or by phone. The probation officer provides guidance to ensure compliance with all requirements, facilitating successful completion of probation.