Broomfield County License Hearing Guide

Broomfield County DUI License Suspension & ALR Hearing

A DUI arrest in Broomfield County triggers two separate legal battles: a criminal case in the Broomfield Combined Courts, and an administrative case against your driver's license handled by the Colorado Department of Revenue (DOR). This guide focuses on the administrative side – specifically, how to fight a license suspension resulting from your DUI arrest. It's crucial to understand that even if your criminal charges are reduced or dismissed, the DOR can still suspend your license. This is because the administrative process has a lower burden of proof ("preponderance of the evidence") than criminal court ("beyond a reasonable doubt").

CRITICAL DEADLINE: Request a Hearing Within Seven Days

Upon arrest for DUI in Broomfield County, if you either refused to take a breath or blood test, or if you took a test and your Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) was 0.08 or higher, the arresting officer likely seized your physical driver's license and issued you a Notice of Revocation (also known as an Express Consent Affidavit, or "Yellow Sheet"). This document is NOT your license.

You have only SEVEN (7) calendar days from the date of your arrest to request an Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing. This deadline is strictly enforced. Missing it by even one hour results in an automatic license revocation with no possibility of appeal. Weekends and holidays are included in the seven-day count. If the 7th day falls on a Sunday, it's best to submit the request by Friday to be safe.

Where to Request: You must request the hearing from the Colorado Department of Revenue (DOR).

How to Request: While historically hearing requests were faxed, current data indicates that the only guaranteed, receipt-tracked method for 2025 is EMAIL: dor_hearingrequest@state.co.us.

Required Data: Your email must contain your Full Name, Date of Birth, Driver’s License Number, and Date of Arrest.

Form: DR 2664 is the standard form for document requests, but the hearing request itself can be a simple written statement.

What Happens If You Miss the Deadline: If you fail to request a hearing within seven days, your license will be automatically revoked. The length of the revocation depends on whether you refused testing or failed a test.

Automatic License Suspension

The grounds for license suspension after a Broomfield County DUI arrest depend on whether you submitted to chemical testing and the results.

If You Took a Breath/Blood Test and Failed

If your BAC was 0.08 or higher, this is considered a per se violation of Colorado law.

• BAC over 0.08: A per se violation results in a 9-month license revocation. You may be eligible for reinstatement with an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) after one month of "no driving" (the hard suspension period).

• The "Yellow Sheet" serves as a temporary driving permit, valid until your ALR hearing or until the suspension officially begins.

If You Refused Testing

Colorado, like all states, has an implied consent law. By driving on Colorado roads, you have implicitly agreed to submit to chemical testing if lawfully arrested for DUI. Refusal to submit to testing carries significant penalties.

• Refusal Penalty: A refusal to submit to a breath or blood test results in a one-year license revocation. Furthermore, upon reinstatement, you will be required to install an IID in your vehicle for two years, regardless of the outcome of your criminal case. This imposes a financial burden of approximately $2,400 in interlock lease fees. This is often referred to as the "Refusal Trap" because it imposes a financial penalty regardless of the criminal court outcome.

The ALR/Administrative Hearing

The Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing is a critical opportunity to challenge your license suspension.

What It Is

The ALR hearing is a civil proceeding, separate from your criminal case. It is conducted by the Colorado Department of Revenue, not the Broomfield Combined Courts. The purpose of the hearing is to determine whether sufficient evidence exists to warrant the suspension of your driver's license.

The burden of proof at an ALR hearing is lower than in a criminal trial. The hearing officer only needs to find that it is more likely than not (a "preponderance of the evidence") that you were driving under the influence.

How to Prepare

Proper preparation is crucial for a successful ALR hearing.

• Gather Evidence: Collect any evidence that supports your case, such as witness statements, dashcam footage, or medical records.
• Consider Hiring a DUI Attorney: A DUI attorney experienced in Broomfield County can represent you at the ALR hearing, present evidence, and cross-examine witnesses.
• Understand What You Can Challenge: At the ALR hearing, you can challenge several aspects of the case, including:
• Whether the officer had reasonable suspicion to stop you.
• Whether the officer had probable cause to arrest you for DUI.
• Whether you were properly advised of your rights under the implied consent law.
• The accuracy of the breath or blood test results.

Possible Outcomes

The hearing officer will make a determination based on the evidence presented. Possible outcomes include:

• Suspension Upheld: The hearing officer finds sufficient evidence to support the license suspension.
• Suspension Overturned: The hearing officer finds that the evidence does not support the license suspension, and your license is reinstated.
• Restricted/Hardship License Granted: In some cases, you may be eligible for a restricted license, allowing you to drive for limited purposes, such as work or school.

Hardship/Restricted License in Colorado law allows for a restricted license in certain circumstances, enabling you to drive for essential purposes during your suspension.

• Eligibility Requirements: Eligibility varies depending on the reason for the suspension and whether you install an IID.
• What You Can Drive For: Typically, a restricted license allows driving to and from work, school, medical appointments, and alcohol education classes.
• Costs and Application Process: There are fees associated with applying for a restricted license. The application process involves submitting documentation to the Colorado DMV.
• IID Requirement: Often, obtaining a restricted license requires the installation of an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) in your vehicle.

Getting Your License Back

Reinstating your license after a DUI suspension involves several steps.

After the Criminal Case Concludes

The outcome of your criminal case does not automatically reinstate your license. You must take specific steps to regain your driving privileges.

• Reinstatement Requirements: Requirements typically include:
• Paying reinstatement fees to the Colorado DMV.
• Filing proof of SR-22 insurance.
• Completing any required alcohol education or therapy programs.
• Installing an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) if required.
• Fees: Reinstatement fees vary depending on the length of the suspension.
• SR-22 Insurance Requirement: SR-22 is not insurance itself, but a certificate of financial responsibility filed by your insurer with the state. Requesting an SR-22 usually triggers the insurer to re-rate the policy, often doubling or tripling premiums.
• Classes/Programs That Must Be Completed: You may be required to complete Level I or Level II Alcohol Education and Therapy.

Broomfield Combined Courts

If you have to be present at the Broomfield Combined Courts, be sure to arrive 30 minutes early to allow for security. The court is located at 17 Descombes Drive, Broomfield, CO 80020.

Special Programs

• Ignition Interlock Device (IID) Program: Colorado requires IIDs for many DUI offenders. Approved vendors like Smart Start and Intoxalock have locations in Broomfield.
• Occupational License: Colorado offers a limited driving privilege for work-related purposes under certain conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: If I'm released from the Broomfield Detention Center and my license was confiscated, how do I get my car from impound if I don't have another photo ID?*A: In DUI cases involving a refusal or BAC > 0.08, the arresting officer physically confiscates the driver’s license (issuing a paper "Yellow Sheet"). The towing company requires a photo ID. The paper permit does not have a photo. The defendant must present a Passport or have a temporary State ID issued. If they have no other photo ID, they cannot retrieve their own vehicle.

**Q: My car was impounded after my DUI arrest on Friday night. When can I get it back, and how much will it cost?*A: If your vehicle was towed to Marv's Quality Towing after a Friday night arrest, you will not be able to retrieve it until Monday morning, as the lot is closed on weekends. This means you will accrue storage fees for Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Based on Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) maximum rate schedules for 2024-2025, a Friday night arrest with Monday morning release typically costs the defendant between $450 and $600 in immediate cash liability.

**Q: I went to Marv's Quality Towing to get my car, but they wouldn't release it because my registration is in the glovebox. What can I do?*A: If the registration is inside the locked glovebox of the impounded vehicle, the defendant must request a "property retrieval" visit. This is often allowed but depends on yard staffing.