“I only had one drink…”
Recently, I was at a festival in northern Colorado with food trucks with my friends.
At the festival, I just had a wine spritzer – just one – and we were there for probably an hour and a half.
On the way home, I got pulled over. Despite having one drink and waiting an hour to an hour and a half, I didn’t pass the field sobriety test. My BAC (blood alcohol content) was 0.051. I was arrested even though I was below the ‘legal limit.’ So many people don’t know you can be arrested for a DUI in Colorado under 0.08 if your driving is impaired in any way.
I always thought one drink was okay. I have a teenager who is learning to drive, and this has been very eye-opening for her, and for me, and for my spouse.
I had to hire a lawyer. My lawyer helped me realize that if I had hit anything, my charges could have been worse, and if I had hit someone, because I was charged with a DUI, I would have also been charged with homicide.
I’m spending tons of money on my lawyer. I have to go to court. And this situation has been hard on my whole family.
Consequences of a DUI in Colorado
A DUI in Colorado carries serious legal, financial, and emotional consequences that can follow a person for years:
- $13,500: Average cost of a first-time DUI in Colorado
- Ignition interlock device
- Mandated alcohol/drug education treatment
- Jail/probation
- Car impounded
- License revocation
- Court dates
- Criminal record
- Employment consequences
- Increased insurance costs
- Limited career opportunities
- Loss of freedom
- Strained relationships
- Mental health impact
Legally, individuals face possible jail time, license suspension, mandatory alcohol education classes, probation, and the installation of an ignition interlock device.
Financially, the impact is staggering: attorney fees, court fines, increased insurance rates, towing and impound costs, and ongoing monitoring expenses can easily exceed $13,500.
But beyond the law and the money, the emotional toll can be just as heavy. Many people experience shame, stress, strained relationships, and lasting anxiety about their reputation and future opportunities. Read all about the Hidden Costs of a DUI.
A DUI doesn’t just affect one night – it changes lives.
Why we’re sharing this story
We often imagine DUIs happen only to habitual, heavy drinkers or partying college students. The reality is, DUIs can happen to anyone who has consumed substances. Impairment isn’t always obvious, even to the person who is impaired.
Here’s what we know:
- You don’t have to feel drunk or high to be impaired.
- Food doesn’t “cancel out” alcohol.
- Everyone processes alcohol differently.
- There is no guaranteed safe amount of alcohol before driving.
- A ride home is always cheaper, easier, and safer than a DUI.
Our hope is that in sharing this story, we can help others make better decisions and prevent future tragedies. Stay safe, take care of each other, and Make the Call for a sober ride, every time.
No DUI NoCo is a regional coalition working to end impaired driving in Northern Colorado through education, outreach, and community partnerships.
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