Calling a Parent to Prevent Colorado Underage DUI

On any given Friday or Saturday night across the country thousands of high schoolers and underage college kids attend parties. A lot of these parties will have alcohol available. It is naive to think that your child will never try alcohol, or that they might not be frightened to call you after already making an unwise choice and then compound it by getting behind the wheel. This is why it’s important for parents to communicate with their kids and be aware of the law.

In Colorado there is zero tolerance for underage drinking. This means if your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is .02% or above, you will be charged with a Colorado underage DUI. Not only that but if your BAC .05% or above, you will receive the typical adult consequences associated with a DWAI or DUI.

The penalties associated with a Colorado underage DUI include:

• A fine up to $150.
• 4 points on your driving record.
• Up to 24 hours of useful public service.
• Automatic 3-month suspension of your driver’s license.
• An evaluation or assessment of alcohol and/or drug addiction at your expense.
• An education and treatment program for alcohol and/or drugs at your expense.
• Possible ignition interlock requirement.

Additional charges such as minor in possession, soliciting alcohol and moving and vehicle maintenance violations among others can also be added on to your Colorado underage DUI and will carry additional penalties. You will also have the additional cost of increased insurance premiums or even struggling to find a new insurance premium who will cover a driver with an underage DUI conviction.

The penalties associated with a BAC above .05% are even harsher and are not something you want to have to be associated with, as some of them can have lifelong effects on things such as getting into college or obtaining certain jobs. Remember, calling mom or dad for a ride might be scary and the consequences might not be fun, but your parents’ consequences are much better than criminal consequences that will stay on your record forever.