Ouray 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 Ouray 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

The Ouray Combined Court at 541 4th Street is the legal center for DUI cases in the county.

Ouray County, Colorado DUI: Understanding Your Driver's License and the Express Consent Law

If you've been arrested for DUI in Ouray County, Colorado, your driver's license is likely at risk. Colorado's Express Consent Law means that by driving on Colorado roads, you've already agreed to submit to chemical testing (blood or breath) if a law enforcement officer has probable cause to believe you are driving under the influence. Refusal to submit to testing, or a test result above the legal limit, triggers an automatic license suspension. This suspension isn't automatic, though. You have the right to challenge it.

The 15-Day Deadline to Request a Hearing

Crucially, you only have 15 days from the date of your arrest to request a hearing with the Colorado Department of Revenue, Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to contest this license suspension. Missing this deadline results in an automatic suspension of your driving privileges. Don't delay – act immediately to protect your rights.

Requesting Your DMV Hearing in Colorado

While specific local contact information for scheduling hearings in Ouray County isn't readily available, you can initiate the hearing request process through the Colorado DMV. It's essential to act fast due to the strict 15-day deadline.

The Challenges of DUI Defense in Ouray County

DUI cases in Ouray County come with unique logistical challenges. The county's geographic isolation, coupled with the fact that many services are outsourced to Montrose County, 36 miles away, can complicate the process significantly. For example, after an arrest, individuals are transported to the Montrose County Detention Facility, potentially hindering quick access to legal counsel and support.

Vehicle Impoundment Realities

Adding to the challenge is the issue of vehicle impoundment. Law enforcement in Ouray County uses a rotation list for towing companies. This means your vehicle could be towed either by Timber Ridge Wrecker Service in Ouray at 1600 Main St or by M&H Towing in Montrose at 19185 Hwy 550 South. Knowing where your vehicle has been impounded is crucial to starting the retrieval process.

Timber Ridge is effectively a service station. While they have standard hours, weekend releases often require coordination with the owner, which can be informal and subject to availability.

Navigating the "Friday Void"

The Ouray Combined Court operates on a four-day work week and is closed on Fridays due to county budget constraints. This "Friday Void" can create significant delays in processing paperwork and addressing legal matters, potentially extending detention periods and delaying the resolution of your case.

The Ouray Combined Court is located at 541 4th Street.

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

Last updated: January 27, 2026

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