Bent County License Hearing Guide

How to request your Administrative License Hearing and protect your driving privileges after a DUI arrest.

Last verified: January 27, 2026

15-Day Deadline

You have exactly 15 days from your arrest to request a hearing. Miss this deadline and your license is automatically suspended. No exceptions.

Enter your arrest date to see your deadline:

Select arrest date

If You Request in Time

  • • Temporary permit until hearing
  • • Chance to keep your license
  • • Gather evidence for defense

If You Miss the Deadline

  • • Automatic 90-180 day suspension
  • • No hearing, no appeal
  • • Starts after waiting period

How to Request Your Hearing

Fastest Method

Online Request

Fee: Typically $50-$125

Available: 24/7

Instant confirmation

Alternative

Phone Request

Fee: Same as online

Hours: Business hours only

Expect hold times

Information You'll Need

From Your Notice:

  • • Driver License Number
  • • Date of Arrest
  • • Arresting Agency
  • • Arresting Officer Name

Personal Information:

  • • Full Legal Name
  • • Current Address
  • • Date of Birth
  • • Phone Number & Email

After You Request

1

Temporary Permit

Immediate

Drive legally until your hearing

2

Hearing Notice

20-40 days

Date, time, and format mailed to you

3

Prepare Defense

Before hearing

Gather evidence, hire attorney

4

Attend Hearing

Scheduled date

Usually phone or video

5

Decision

Same day

Win: keep license. Lose: suspension starts

What to Expect at the Hearing

Most hearings are by phone or video

You usually don't need to travel. When you receive your hearing notice, it will specify whether it's phone, video, or in-person.

Duration

30-60 minutes typically

Who's There

You, your attorney (optional), state attorney, hearing officer

What They Review

Probable cause for stop, proper arrest procedure, test validity

Evidence That Can Help

  • Dashcam or bodycam footage showing procedural errors
  • Breathalyzer calibration records (if not current)
  • Witness statements about your sobriety
  • Medical conditions affecting field sobriety tests

Should You Hire an Attorney?

With an Attorney

  • Can subpoena arresting officer
  • Knows how to challenge evidence
  • Uses hearing to strengthen criminal defense
  • Higher success rate at hearings

Without an Attorney

  • State has experienced attorney present
  • May not know proper objections
  • Can't effectively cross-examine officers
  • Lower win rate statistically
Find DUI Attorneys in Bent County

If You Lose Your Hearing

Losing the hearing isn't the end. You still have options to maintain limited driving privileges:

Ignition Interlock

Drive with device installed

Occupational License

Limited driving for work/essentials

FAQ

Related Guides

Court Process
Criminal case timeline
Bail & Bond
Getting released

Residents of Bent County facing a DUI arrest in Colorado need to understand the administrative license revocation (ALR) process, especially the strict deadlines. A DUI arrest triggers a separate administrative process that can result in the suspension of your driver's license, independent of the criminal case. In Colorado, this is handled through the Department of Revenue Hearings Division, under Express Consent laws.

The 7-Day Rule in Bent County

If arrested for DUI (refusal or BAC > 0.08), you have strictly 7 days from the date of the Notice of Revocation (usually the yellow temporary permit) to request a hearing to contest the license revocation. Missing this deadline means your license will automatically be suspended.

How to Request an Express Consent Hearing in Bent County

Since there is no local DMV office in Las Animas, you cannot hand-deliver your hearing request. The request must be made in writing and mailed or submitted at the La Junta office.

Hearing Location

Express Consent hearings are conducted by the Hearings Division of the Department of Revenue. They are almost exclusively remote (telephone or video), managed centrally from Denver/Lakewood. You will not go to the Bent County courthouse for this; you will dial in from home.

Reinstatement Friction

To reinstate a license (e.g., obtain a Red License for essential driving), you need to provide:

  • SR-22 Insurance: Proof of future financial responsibility.
  • Ignition Interlock Lease Agreement: Proof of installation.
  • Alcohol Education Enrollment: Level II Education certificate.

The Catch-22: To get the license, you need the Interlock installed. To get the Interlock installed, you need to get the car to the shop in La Junta. To get the car to the shop, you need to drive. Since the driver is suspended, they cannot legally drive the car to the appointment. This forces many into a dilemma: risk driving illegally to the appointment or pay for a tow to La Junta to get the device installed.

Local DMV/Driver Services Options for Bent County Residents

Bent County residents must travel outside the county for DMV services.

  • La Junta (Otero County): Otero County Courthouse, 13 W. 3rd St, La Junta, CO 81050. Crucially, they do NOT conduct reinstatement hearings on-site.
  • Lamar (Prowers County): Village Center, Unit 10, 5th and Lee, Lamar, CO 81052.

Before driving 35 miles to Lamar to retrieve an impounded car, call the Bent County Sheriff’s admin line (719-456-1363). Explicitly ask: "Has the Release Order been faxed to the tow company?"

Sources
  • Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles / Public Safety
  • Colorado Administrative Code - License Suspension Procedures

Last updated: January 27, 2026

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