Colorado Wrestles with Repeat DUI Offenders

Study shows 1 in 3 offenders had prior CO drunk driving arrest.

According to a study done by the Denver Post newspaper, one in three drivers arrested for driving under the influence in Colorado are repeat offenders. Between 2005 and 2007, law enforcement records show an average of 31,011 arrests for Colorado DUI. According to data from probation department evaluations, an average 10,835 had at least one prior arrest for drunk driving.

Colorado is one of four states where multiple DUI convictions do not necessarily result in a felony. Of the repeat offenders, 84 had at least 10 prior arrests and 5 had more than 20.

In recent years Colorado legislators have lowered the threshold for intoxication from .10% to .08%. Laws have been passed making it more difficult to plea bargain DUI cases and increasing the penalties for driving under the influence and driving while ability impaired. Citing a tight state budget, lawmakers have not passed a felony DUI law. In addition, the state grapples with prison overcrowding, full court dockets and an over-worked probation system.

A Colorado DUI task force is looking into measures to diminish drunk driving, especially repeat offenses.

Have you or someone you know been arrested for DUI in CO?