Boulder County Express Consent Hearing Guide

How to request your Colorado DMV hearing and protect your driving privileges.

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:

Select arrest date

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

Fastest Method

Online Request

Fee: $25

Available: 24/7

Instant confirmation

Go to MyDMV Colorado
Alternative

Phone Request

Phone: (303) 205-5613

Fee: $25

Hours: Mon-Fri 8AM - 5PM

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

1

Temporary Permit

Immediate

Drive legally until your hearing

2

Hearing Notice

10-30 days

Date, time, and format mailed to you

3

Prepare Defense

Before hearing

Gather evidence, hire attorney

4

Attend Hearing

Scheduled date

Usually by phone

5

Decision

Usually same day

Win: keep license. Lose: revocation starts

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:

Address
1881 Pierce St, Lakewood, CO 80214
Get Directions
Phone (Hearings)
(303) 205-5613
Hours
Mon-Fri 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

FAQ

Related Guides

Court Process
Criminal case timeline
Bail & Bond
Getting released

The most critical friction point in the administrative license revocation (ALR) phase for a DUI in Boulder County is the 7-Day Rule. Upon receiving the "Express Consent Affidavit and Notice of Revocation" (the yellow slip) from the police, you have exactly seven days to request a hearing with the Colorado Department of Revenue (DOR). If you fail to do so, the revocation of your license becomes automatic on the 8th day.

This administrative action is separate from your criminal case and can impact your driving privileges regardless of the outcome of your court case. This means it is crucial to act quickly and understand your rights.

Requesting Your ALR Hearing in Boulder County

Historically, Boulder had a DMV Driver License office at 2850 Iris Ave. This office is closed, so requesting a hearing in person at that location is not possible. You must travel to Longmont or Golden, or navigate the online/email request system.

Requests can be emailed to dor_hearingrequest@state.co.us. While efficient, it lacks the tangible proof of a stamped receipt that an in-person visit provides.

Key Considerations:

  • Officer Presence: You MUST explicitly indicate on the request form that you want the law enforcement officer to be present at the hearing. If you fail to check this box, the officer's written affidavit is accepted as truth, and your chance of winning the hearing drops significantly.

  • Remote Hearings: Hearings are now conducted largely via Zoom or Google Meet. You will need a reliable internet connection and device to participate.

The "No Drive" Gap and Reinstatement

Even if you eventually qualify for early reinstatement (e.g., after 30 days for a first offense), there is a mandatory "No Drive" period. For a first refusal or high BAC, you cannot drive at all for roughly 30 days.

Before reinstatement, you must purchase SR-22 insurance, which flags you as a high-risk driver and typically increases insurance premiums.

The physical act of reinstating the license requires a trip to a "Full Service" DMV office. The Boulder office at 4800 Baseline Rd handles reinstatements. Appointments are often booked weeks out, requiring continuous refreshing of the scheduling page to find a slot.

Sources

24/7 Legal Support

Need a DUI Attorney in Boulder County?

Get connected with experienced DUI attorneys who know Boulder County courts and can fight for the best outcome.

Talk To An Attorney