It’s been years since that DUI arrest in Greeley. You’ve paid the fines, completed probation, and turned your life around, but the record remains. It shows up on background checks. It’s come up in job interviews. You’re now asking the question many others have faced: How long does a DUI stay on your record in Colorado?
Worried about the lasting impact of a DUI on your employment, housing, insurance costs, or reputation? This guide details how long a DUI affects your criminal and driving records in Colorado and explores options for moving forward.
Understanding DUI Convictions and Colorado’s Permanent Record System
In Colorado, a DUI conviction is not automatically removed from your record. It becomes part of your criminal history unless you qualify for sealing under minimal exceptions. This includes convictions for:
- Driving under the influence (DUI),
- Driving while ability impaired (DWAI), and
- Refusing a chemical test under Colorado’s express consent law.
These offenses do not “drop off” after a certain number of years, even though their impact may lessen over time.
How Long Will a DUI Stay on Your Record?
A common question is how long a DUI remains on your record if you were not convicted or if sufficient time has passed. The answer depends on the type of record:
- Criminal record. If you were convicted, the DUI will remain indefinitely unless the record is sealed or expunged.
- Driving record. A DUI can affect your Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) history for up to 10 years after the offense. This impacts things like insurance premiums and habitual offender status.
- Background checks. Depending on the level of access and the type of check, employers, landlords, and licensing boards may see the conviction indefinitely.
It’s a frequent misconception that a Colorado DUI conviction automatically disappears after seven years. The truth is more complex, as several variables affect the record’s length.
Can You Seal or Expunge a DUI in Colorado?
In most cases, DUI convictions cannot be sealed (removed from public view) or expunged (destroyed) in Colorado. Under state law, convictions for traffic offenses involving alcohol, including DUI and DWAI, are not eligible for sealing. That includes:
- Misdemeanor DUI or DWAI convictions,
- Felony DUI convictions, and
- Test refusal cases that result in administrative action.
However, a DUI conviction may be sealed or removed in certain circumstances. Consulting a skilled attorney will help you explore all available possibilities.
Exceptions and the Sealing Process
Even if you were arrested and charged with DUI, you may be able to seal your records if the case resulted in a dismissal, acquittal, or completed deferred judgment. To do so, you must:
- File a petition with the court that handled your case,
- Demonstrate to the court that sealing your records is in the interest of justice, and
- Have no pending charges.
A waiting period of one to three years may be required before you can file the petition. While sealing your records won’t erase the DUI from your life, it can significantly limit its visibility during background checks by employers and agencies.
Why DUI Record Duration Matters
Although the daily effects of a DUI may not be apparent, its consequences can significantly impact important areas of your life, such as:
- Professional opportunities. Employers and licensing boards in driving, healthcare, education, and public safety may deny opportunities due to a DUI record.
- Housing. Landlords conducting background checks may reject rental applications based on a DUI conviction.
- Financial implications. Car insurance premiums can remain elevated for as long as ten years following a DUI conviction.
- Future legal proceedings. In Colorado, prior DUI convictions are permanent considerations for sentencing in any subsequent DUI charges.
These consequences don’t mean your life is over, but it’s worth talking to a lawyer about your mitigation, disclosure, or relief options.
Colorado’s Habitual Offender Laws
While the criminal conviction doesn’t disappear, its impact on future charges can change. Colorado doesn’t have a traditional lookback period that applies in DUI and DWAI cases. However, repeated convictions can impact your sentence and other penalties:
- Courts typically consider DUI-related offenses from the past seven years for administrative penalties like license suspension;
- For criminal sentencing, courts can consider any prior DUI, regardless of age, when deciding whether to impose felony charges; and
- Three or more DUI convictions at any time in your life can result in a Class 4 felony DUI charge.
Even decades-old DUI records can influence what happens if you’re charged again.
Why Clients Trust Us for Their Long-Term DUI Defense
At The Harrell Law Firm, PLLC, we understand that a DUI charge doesn’t end when the case closes. Months or years later, clients ask us questions about background checks, license status, or whether we can help seal their records.
Led by Sean Harrell, a Colorado attorney with over a decade of trial and courtroom experience, including time as a prosecutor, we help clients defend against charges and address the lasting effects of a DUI. Our team knows how to evaluate long-term legal exposure and guide clients toward practical, innovative solutions, even if the law prohibits sealing in your case.
From Loveland to Fort Collins to Greeley, we offer rational, respectful advice that helps people move forward.
Moving Forward After a DUI
While a DUI conviction in Colorado carries significant and lasting implications, it doesn’t mean your future is entirely out of your control. Whether dealing with the fallout from a past conviction or determining if your case can be sealed, your next step matters.
If you’re asking how long does a DUI stay on your record in Colorado, it’s time to get clarity and take action. Contact us today. We are here to support you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a DUI Go Away After 7 Years?
No. In Colorado, a DUI conviction remains on your criminal record indefinitely. While insurance companies and employers may focus on recent convictions, the legal record does not automatically expire after 7 years.
Can I Seal a DUI Conviction?
Generally, no. Colorado law does not allow the sealing of DUI or DWAI convictions. You might qualify to petition for sealing if the case was dismissed or acquitted.
How Long Will a DUI Affect My Driving Record?
DUI offenses typically remain on your Colorado driving record for 7 to 10 years, depending on the nature of the offense and any repeat violations. This can affect your insurance and driving privileges during that time.
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