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Introduction
In Colorado, getting charged with a DUI (Driving Under the Influence) can have several consequences, ranging from immediate license suspension to longer-term impacts that many people don’t fully understand. One of the most commonly asked questions is whether a DUI goes on your criminal record—and if so, how long it stays there and who can see it.
This question is especially important for individuals applying for jobs, housing, or professional licenses. A criminal record can follow you for years and influence decisions made by employers, landlords, and regulatory boards. Knowing exactly how a DUI is classified and reported under Colorado law helps clarify how it may affect your future.
In this post, we’ll examine how Colorado handles DUI offenses in terms of criminal classification, whether these charges result in permanent criminal records, and how that information is used in background checks. The goal is to provide clear and accurate information so readers understand what a DUI conviction means for their record in Colorado. This article is for informational purposes only and does not provide legal advice.
Is a DUI Considered a Criminal Offense in Colorado?
Yes, in Colorado, a DUI is classified as a criminal offense. Even a first-time DUI conviction is treated as a misdemeanor, which means it appears on your criminal record. If certain aggravating factors are present—such as repeated offenses or causing injury—DUI charges can be escalated to felony-level crimes.
This classification as a criminal offense separates DUI from other types of driving violations like speeding or running a red light. While those are typically handled as traffic infractions, a DUI involves both public safety concerns and impaired judgment, making it a more serious legal matter.
Because it is a criminal offense, a DUI conviction is recorded in the Colorado Bureau of Investigation’s records and becomes part of the state’s criminal database. This means that when someone runs a criminal background check through official channels, the DUI will appear unless specific legal exceptions apply.
Even if the DUI results in a plea deal or probation, the charge and its outcome are still part of your permanent criminal history. In Colorado, there is no legal mechanism to automatically remove or “age out” a DUI conviction from a criminal record over time.
When Does a DUI Get Added to Your Criminal Record?
A DUI is added to your criminal record after a conviction. This happens when you are found guilty in court, plead guilty, or enter a plea agreement that results in a formal judgment. Once the court finalizes the case, the record is updated and becomes part of your criminal history in Colorado.
It’s important to note that merely being arrested for a DUI does not automatically place it on your permanent record. If charges are dropped, dismissed, or you are found not guilty, that outcome is also recorded, and in some cases, you may be eligible to seal the record.
However, if the case results in a conviction—even for a first offense—the DUI becomes part of your lifelong criminal record. There is no automatic clearing or expiration of this record in Colorado. This is different from how traffic points or license suspensions might eventually expire or reset.
The record becomes publicly accessible through background checks and can be reviewed by employers, landlords, licensing agencies, and more. Because of this, the timing of when a DUI gets recorded is critical, and the long-term visibility of that record should not be underestimated.
Can a DUI Be Sealed or Expunged from a Criminal Record in Colorado?
No, under Colorado law, a DUI conviction cannot be sealed or expunged from your criminal record. This applies regardless of whether it was your first offense, whether you completed probation, or how long ago the conviction occurred.
The state of Colorado only allows record sealing for specific cases, typically when charges were dismissed or resulted in an acquittal. In the case of a DUI, once there is a conviction, that offense remains on your criminal record permanently.
This policy is more restrictive than in some other states, where certain DUI convictions may be eligible for expungement after a period of time. In Colorado, the rules are clear: there is no path to remove a DUI conviction from your criminal history through sealing or expungement.
This legal framework means that individuals must plan around the fact that their DUI will always be visible in background checks and may affect decisions in employment, housing, or licensing for many years to come. There is no legal process to erase or hide it after conviction.
How Employers Use Criminal Records in Colorado
Employers in Colorado often conduct background checks as part of the hiring process, and DUI convictions appear on those checks. Since a DUI is a criminal offense, it becomes part of the public criminal record, which means employers can legally review and consider it during recruitment.
The impact of a DUI on employment depends on the job. Positions involving driving, operating heavy machinery, or managing safety-sensitive tasks may be particularly affected. Some roles may have licensing requirements that prohibit hiring individuals with certain convictions.
Colorado does have “Ban the Box” legislation that limits when employers can ask about criminal history during the job application process. However, once the interview process begins or a conditional offer is made, employers are allowed to run background checks and factor in past DUI convictions.
Even though a DUI can appear on your criminal record permanently, not all employers weigh it the same way. Some may consider the time since the offense, the circumstances, and any evidence of rehabilitation. Still, the record itself remains visible indefinitely and must be factored into career planning.
How a DUI Record Affects Professional Licenses
In Colorado, many professional licenses require a clean criminal record or detailed disclosure of any prior convictions. Having a DUI on your criminal record can affect your ability to obtain or renew licenses in fields such as healthcare, education, law, finance, and more.
Each licensing board has its own set of criteria, but most review both the nature and recency of any criminal convictions. A DUI conviction doesn’t necessarily result in denial, but it often triggers additional steps like hearings, documentation, or character evaluations.
Applicants are usually required to disclose any criminal convictions, and failure to do so can result in automatic disqualification. Since DUI convictions cannot be sealed or expunged in Colorado, they remain discoverable through the licensing agency’s background checks.
Even if a license is granted, a DUI may result in conditions being placed on the license, such as ongoing monitoring or additional reporting requirements. In some professions, it can affect career mobility or restrict job opportunities that require clean records for liability or trust-based roles.
Who Can See a DUI on Your Criminal Record?
In Colorado, a DUI conviction on your criminal record is considered public information. That means a wide range of individuals and organizations can access it through official background checks or public court databases.
Common examples include:
- Employers conducting pre-employment screening
- Landlords running tenant background checks
- Licensing boards reviewing applications
- Government agencies conducting eligibility reviews
- Volunteer organizations with safety policies
Some commercial background check services also include DUI convictions in their reports, especially if they use databases that pull from state-level criminal systems.
Because the record is public and cannot be sealed, individuals must assume that their DUI is always visible unless there was no conviction. The visibility of this record underscores the importance of understanding how it is used and what types of inquiries can surface the information.
FAQ Section
Is a DUI a criminal conviction in Colorado?
Yes. In Colorado, a DUI is classified as a criminal offense and results in a permanent criminal record if convicted.
Does a DUI always show up on background checks in Colorado?
Yes. Once convicted, a DUI becomes part of your permanent criminal record and appears on most background checks.
Can you get a DUI sealed in Colorado?
No. Colorado law does not allow the sealing or expungement of DUI convictions, regardless of how much time has passed.
What if my DUI was dismissed?
If your DUI charges were dismissed or resulted in acquittal, you may be eligible to have the arrest record sealed, but this does not apply to convictions.
Do employers in Colorado check for DUI convictions?
Many employers do. Background checks in Colorado often include criminal history, which will show any DUI convictions.
Will a DUI affect professional licensing in Colorado?
Yes. A DUI can affect your ability to obtain or renew professional licenses depending on the field and licensing board rules.
Can landlords see a DUI on my record?
Yes. Landlords who perform criminal background checks will see any DUI convictions, as they are part of the public record.
Conclusion
In Colorado, a DUI conviction goes on your criminal record permanently. Unlike traffic infractions, DUIs are treated as criminal offenses, even for first-time convictions. This means that once convicted, the offense appears in background checks and public databases used by employers, licensing agencies, and landlords.
There is no legal process in Colorado to seal or expunge a DUI conviction, making it a lasting part of your personal history. Understanding this reality can help individuals make informed decisions about job applications, professional licenses, and future planning.
To explore more details about the long-term effects of DUI records, visit the DUI Records And Long Term Impact page. You can also learn more by reading the mini-hub post How Long a DUI Stays on Your Record