Rio Grande 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 Rio Grande 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

Rio Grande County DUI: Navigating the Administrative License Revocation (ALR) Hearing Process

Rio Grande County DUI defendants face a unique challenge: geographic displacement that amplifies every administrative requirement. One of the most immediate and crucial steps after a DUI arrest is addressing the potential suspension of your driver's license through an Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing. Unlike some states, Colorado doesn't use "ALR" terminology, but the process is essentially the same as an ALR hearing in other states.

The 15-Day Deadline

You have only 15 days from the date of your arrest to request a hearing to contest the suspension of your driver's license. Missing this deadline results in automatic license suspension.

How to Request a Hearing

While specific online request options aren't detailed in available data, you should contact the Colorado Department of Revenue, Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) immediately to inquire about their preferred method for requesting a hearing.

Hearing Location

DUI-related DMV hearings in Rio Grande County, and the surrounding San Luis Valley region, are typically held at the DMV office in Alamosa, located in Alamosa County. This requires travel, a key challenge for Rio Grande County residents who may no longer have driving privileges.

Local Timeline

The exact wait time for a hearing in Alamosa can vary. Contacting the DMV directly can give you a clearer picture of the current scheduling backlog.

"The Alamosa Run": Bundle DMV and Interlock

Plan strategically by bundling your DMV reinstatement hearing and Interlock installation into a single trip to Alamosa. Pre-book your Interlock appointment at a location such as 1825 State Ave for the same morning you plan to visit the DMV at Independence Way. This minimizes travel and time off work.

Resource Scarcity and the "Vicious Cycle"

Rio Grande County defendants face a "vicious cycle." To get a license, one needs an Interlock. To get an Interlock installed, one needs to get the car to Alamosa. To get the car to Alamosa, one needs a license (or a tow). This cycle disproportionately affects low-income defendants who cannot afford the tow to Alamosa to break the deadlock.

Plan strategically and contact the Colorado DMV as soon as possible to request your hearing and understand your next steps.

Consider booking your interlock appoinment at 1825 State Ave in Alamosa.

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

Last updated: January 27, 2026

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