1. Submit to a blood or breath alcohol test following an alcohol and driving arrest, and test at .10 grams of alcohol (or more) per 100 liters of blood or 210 liters of breath (3 month revocation for first incident, 1 year for second or subsequent).

2. For a driver under 21 years of age, submit to a blood or breath alcohol test following driving and a lawful contact by a police officer, and test at .02 grams of alcohol (or more) per 100 liters of blood or 210 liters of breath (3 month revocation for first incident, 6 months for second, one year for third).

3. For a driver of a commercial motor vehicle, submit to a blood or breath alcohol test following driving and a lawful contact by a police officer, and test at .04 grams of alcohol (or more) per 100 liters of blood or 210 liters of breath (one year revocation for first incident, varies for subsequent incidents; minimum three years for vehicle transporting hazardous materials).

4. Refuse to submit to a blood or breath alcohol test following driving and a lawful request for one by a law enforcement officer (one year revocation).

5. Refuse to submit to a blood, saliva or urine test for drugs following driving and a lawful request for one by a law enforcement officer.

6. Be convicted of two alcohol and driving offenses within a five year period (one year revocation).

7. Be convicted of three alcohol and driving offenses during a lifetime (two year revocation).

8. Be convicted of any three "major traffic offenses" (including Driving Under the Influence, Driving While Ability Impaired, driving with a suspended, revoked or denied driver's license, reckless driving, false swearing to motor vehicle documents, vehicular assault, vehicular homicide, negligent or reckless homicide or manslaughter involving a motor vehicle, aggravated motor vehicle theft, or failing to render aid following involvement in a traffic accident) within a seven year period (this triggers the 'habitual traffic offender' law, which results in a five year revocation).

9. Be convicted of ten or more separate moving traffic violations carrrying four or more points each within a period of five years (this triggers the 'habitual traffic offender' law, which results in a five year revocation).

10. Be convicted of eighteen or more separate moving traffic violations carrying three or fewer points each within a period of five years (this triggers the 'habitual traffic offender' law, which results in a five year revocation).

11. Lose your privilege to drive in another state (regardless of whether you are licensed there) under circumstances which would have triggered a license suspension, revocation or denial in Colorado (providing the other state is a signatory to the interstate motor vehicle driver's license compact, and reports the action to the Colorado motor vehicle authorities).

12. Fail to respond to and resolve a traffic ticket from another state.

13. For an adult driver over 21 years of age, accumulate twelve driver's license points in one year or eighteen points in two years (license suspension).

14. For a driver between 18 and 21 years of age (known as a 'provisional driver'), accumulate nine points within one year or twelve points within two years, or fourteen points during the period of the provisional driver's license (license suspension).

15. For a 'minor driver' under 18 years of age, accumulate five points within twelve months or more than six points during the time period for which the minor driver's license was issued (license suspension).

16. Be convicted of any moving violation carrying twelve or more points (such as Driving Under the Influence, Leaving the Scene of an Accident, Eluding a Police Officer, etc.).

17. Be convicted of a felony involving use of a motor vehicle (one year revocation).

18. For a driver under 21 years of age, be convicted of possession of alcohol (3 month revocation).

19. Commit various other miscellaneous crimes which may mandate a license restraint (such as certain drug offenses, painting graffiti, etc.).

20. Be convicted of ANY traffic violation involving driving as an element, committed while your license is under revocation, suspension or denial (one year extension of existing period of license restraint). This applies even if a license has been reinstated following arrest but prior to a conviction being reported to the Motor Vehicle Division.

21. Fail to pay money to a court, appear in court when ordered, or take other action resulting in a record of an 'outstanding judgment or warrant' from a Colorado Court (will not actually cause a license revocation or suspension, but can result in a denial of a new license or renewal of an existing license until the problem is resolved).

22. Fail to maintain required proof of insurance with the motor vehicle authorities after reinstatement of a driver's license following a suspension or revocation.

23. Become involved in a traffic accident in which you are at fault without valid insurance, and fail to settle the matter financially with the other parties involved.

Revocation and Suspension of a driver's license are different things in Colorado, with different consequences.

References to actions being taken based on dates of convictions, etc. generally use the date of the offense as the operative date, although they are not entered onto the motor vehicle records until conviction in Court.

Colorado's driver's license system is administered by the Colorado Department of Revenue, Motor Vehicle Division. Suspension and Revocation hearings are administered by the Hearings Section.

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This list is not necessarily exclusive, and does not constitute legal advice; please consult your attorney. Motor Vehicle laws and regulations are subject to change without notice, and differ significantly from one state to another. Please feel free to submit any additional ways to lose your Colorado Driver's License which you may be aware of, to Eric Chazankin, Attorney at Law.

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