Adams County Express Consent Hearing Guide
How to request your Colorado DMV hearing and protect your driving privileges in Thornton, Brighton, and Adams County.
Last verified: January 2026
7-Day Deadline - Shortest in the Nation
Colorado has the shortest DMV hearing request deadline in the country. You have exactly 7 calendar days from your arrest (including weekends and holidays) to request an Express Consent hearing. Miss this deadline and your license is automatically revoked with no opportunity to contest.
Enter your arrest date to see your deadline:
If You Request in Time
- • Temporary permit until hearing
- • Chance to contest revocation
- • Opportunity to challenge evidence
If You Miss the Deadline
- • Automatic license revocation
- • No hearing, no appeal
- • 9 months (1st) to 2 years (repeat)
How to Request Your Hearing
Phone Request
DMV Hearings Section - expect wait times
Information You'll Need
From Your Paperwork:
- • Driver License Number
- • Date of Arrest
- • Arresting Agency
- • Express Consent Affidavit (if given)
Personal Information:
- • Full Legal Name
- • Current Address
- • Date of Birth
- • Phone Number & Email
Persistent Drunk Driver (PDD) Designation
Colorado has harsh enhanced penalties for certain offenders. You'll be designated as a PDD if ANY of these apply:
BAC 0.15% or Higher
High BAC automatically triggers PDD, even for first offense
Refused Testing
Chemical test refusal triggers PDD and longer revocation
Prior DUI/DWAI
Any prior alcohol-related driving offense
PDD Consequences:
- • 2-year ignition interlock requirement (mandatory)
- • Level II alcohol therapy (68+ hours)
- • Higher SR-22 insurance requirements
- • Longer revocation periods
After You Request
Temporary Permit
ImmediateDrive legally until your hearing
Hearing Notice
10-30 daysDate, time, and format mailed to you
Prepare Defense
Before hearingGather evidence, hire attorney
Attend Hearing
Scheduled dateUsually by phone
Decision
Usually same dayWin: keep license. Lose: revocation starts
Temporary Permit
Immediate
Drive until hearing
Hearing Notice
10-30 days
Date mailed to you
Prepare
Before hearing
Gather evidence
Attend Hearing
Scheduled
Phone or in-person
Decision
Same day
Win or revocation
What to Expect at the Hearing
Duration
30-60 minutes typically
Who's There
You, your attorney (optional), DMV hearing officer
What They Review
Probable cause, proper procedures, chemical test validity
Evidence That Can Help
- Body cam footage showing procedural errors
- Breathalyzer calibration records
- 20-minute observation period violations
- Medical conditions affecting field sobriety tests
If You Lose Your Hearing
Losing the Express Consent hearing means your license will be revoked. However, you still have options:
Early Reinstatement (IID)
Drive with ignition interlock device
Restricted License
Limited driving for work/essentials
Colorado DMV Hearings Office
For license reinstatement or in-person hearing requests:
FAQ
Related Guides
The defendant has 10 days from the postmark date on the "Notice of Revocation" letter received from the Colorado DMV to request a hearing.
Adams County DUI and Your Driver's License: Understanding the Express Consent Law
If you are arrested for DUI in Adams County, Colorado, the arresting officer will likely confiscate your physical driver's license as part of the Express Consent revocation process. This is separate from the criminal DUI case and triggers an administrative license revocation handled by the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). This guide explains your rights and options regarding your driver's license after a DUI arrest in Adams County.
The 10-Day Deadline: Requesting an ALR Hearing
If a blood test was taken, the DMV mails the "Notice of Revocation" once results are received (which can take weeks). You have a very limited time to act! You have only TEN DAYS from the postmark date on that letter to request an administrative hearing to challenge the revocation of your license.
Important Note: The "postmark date" rule is critical. If the DMV mails the letter on the 1st, and it arrives on the 5th due to mail delays, you effectively have only 5 days to respond. If the address on file with the DMV is outdated, the notice may never be received, and your license will be revoked by default.
Requesting a Hearing and Obtaining a Temporary Permit
Hearing requests must be made with precision. If you request a hearing within the 10-day deadline, you are eligible for a temporary driving permit. This permit extends your driving privileges until the date of the hearing, which is usually scheduled about 60 days out. This extension is crucial for maintaining employment. If the request is late, no permit is issued, and the revocation stands immediately.
To get the temporary permit, you must surrender your physical license (if not already taken by the officer).
Where to Request Your Hearing
The "Adams County" state driver license office located at 12200 N Pecos St, Westminster handles reinstatements and hearing requests. Walk-in services are increasingly limited, with appointments often prioritized or required.
License Reinstatement in Adams County
Reinstating a license after an Express Consent revocation in Adams County requires fulfilling specific requirements:
- SR-22 Insurance: You must file a certificate of financial responsibility (SR-22). This flags you to the insurance company as a high-risk client, often tripling premiums. The SR-22 must be maintained for a specific period (usually 9 months to 3 years).
- Reinstatement Fee: A $95 reinstatement fee applies.
- Interlock Requirement: For any BAC above 0.15 (Persistent Drunk Driver designation) or for refusals, an interlock device is mandatory for reinstatement.
The "Adams County" state driver license office is located at 12200 N Pecos St, Westminster.
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