Highest DUI Rates By County in Colorado

Driving under the influence remains a significant concern throughout Colorado. While statewide DUI case filing rates have declined over the years, they still occur every year in high numbers. While some counties in the state have reported hundreds or thousands of impaired driving cases annually, others experience substantially higher DUI rates when looked at relative to their local populations. Understanding the DUI rates in Colorado provides insight into where impaired driving cases are most frequently prosecuted and how impaired driving enforcement patterns vary across the state.

The Colorado Division of Criminal Justice has published the  Driving Under the Influence of Drugs and Alcohol: Calendar Year 2023 Report, which is the most recent set of data for DUI’s in the state. It was released in June 2026, and states that Colorado recorded 20,878 DUI-related case filings in 2023. Gilpin, Moffat, Clear Creek, Summit, and Jackson counties had the highest filing rates for driving under the influence per 100,000 residents, while El Paso County recorded the greatest number of cases in total.

At the Law Office of Steven Rodemer, our Colorado Springs criminal defense lawyers represent individuals throughout the state who are facing DUI and other criminal charges. Understanding Colorado DUI statistics, applicable laws, and the potential penalties associated with impaired driving charges can help individuals understand the importance of protecting their legal rights and what their options are.

Colorado DUI Rates Have Declined Over the Years

Colorado has experienced a notable decrease in DUI-related court case filings over the years. The state’s annual filing rate declined from 616 cases per 100,000 residents aged 16 and older in 2016 to 435 cases per 100,000 residents over the age of 16 in 2023. This amounts to a decrease of approximately 29%.

Although the longer-term trend shows that there were fewer filings relative to the population, recent years have demonstrated greater stability within the state. Colorado recorded just 63 more DUI-related case filings per 100,000 residents in 2023 than in 2022, which may suggest that the downward trend has slowed.

The 2023 filing rate for driving under the influence charges was also approximately 22% lower than the rate that was previously reported in 2019. These figures reflect changes in cases entering Colorado’s court system rather than a direct measurement of every instance of impaired driving.

A decline in DUI case filings does not necessarily mean that there are fewer individuals driving under the influence. There are various factors that can contribute to the total number of DUI cases every year, including:

• Enforcement practices
• Traffic patterns
• Law enforcement resources
• Other circumstances

Which County in CO Has The Most DUIs?

Colorado’s highest DUI case filing rates in 2023 were mainly concentrated in the smaller counties, including rural and mountain communities that often see an influx of tourists during certain seasons. The County with the most DUIs in Colorado in 2023 is El Paso County with 2,544 case filings, but the five counties with the highest rates were:

1. Gilpin County – Gilpin County’s rate was more than four times Colorado’s statewide average of 435 filings per 100,000 residents, with 1,899 case filings per 100,000 residents. However, Gilpin County recorded only 96 DUI-related case filings during the year, which highlights the difference between a county’s total number of cases and its population-adjusted DUI case filing rate.
2. Moffat County – Moffat County recorded 1,824 filings per 100,000 residents, but only 190 actual DUI cases in 2023.
3. Clear Creek County – Clear Creek County had 1,455 case filings per 100,000 residents in 2023, but 114 actual recorded cases.
4. Summit County – Summit County witnessed a DUI case filing rate of 1,421 per 100,000 residents, but only had 374 actual case filings.
5. Jackson County – Jackson County had a DUI filing rate of 1,242 and just 14 actual filed DUI cases in 2023.

These differences in DUI rates versus actual filed cases are particularly important when trying to understand DUI statistics in rural Colorado. Counties with smaller populations can experience substantial changes in their DUI filing rates even when the actual number of cases changes relatively little.

Seasonal tourism in rural Colorado communities may also influence local statistics. Mountain destinations, recreational communities, and other areas of the state that experience substantial visitor traffic may encounter impaired driving cases involving individuals who do not permanently reside in the county.

CO Counties With Most DUIs in 2023: Highest to Lowest

The following list ranks Colorado counties by the total number of DUI-related court case filings that were recorded in 2023. These statistics were compiled using Appendix B on pages 82 through 84 of the state’s June 2026 report.

These statistics represent DUI-related case filings, not DUI-related traffic accidents or the number of arrests that occurred in 2023. The Driving Under the Influence of Drugs and Alcohol: Calendar Year 2023 Report statistics include DUI, driving while ability impaired (DWAI), underage drinking and driving, and certain other impaired-driving-related vehicular assault and homicide charges.

Why Do Rural Colorado Counties Have Higher DUI Rates?

Although Colorado’s most populous counties typically see the greatest number of impaired driving cases per year, smaller counties frequently report higher population-adjusted DUI filing rates.

There are several factors that can contribute to these differences:

• Smaller Populations – Counties with relatively few permanent residents can experience substantial fluctuations in yearly DUI rates when the number of actual cases increases or decreases.
• Seasonal Tourism – Ski resorts, mountain recreation areas, and other highly sought-after visitor destinations throughout the state may experience substantial traffic from individuals who are not included in the county’s permanent population, but do contribute to the number of DUI cases per year.
• Highway Enforcement – State highways and rural transportation corridors may contribute to DUI-related activity involving drivers who have to travel between communities.
• Local Enforcement Practices – Differences in patrol activity, staffing, and traffic enforcement priorities may influence how many impaired driving cases enter the court system.

These considerations can help explain why counties such as Gilpin and Summit report higher filing rates despite recording substantially fewer cases than other metropolitan counties in the state.

Colorado DUI Laws and Penalties

Colorado law has different penalties for different impaired driving offenses. Under Colorado Revised Statutes § 42-4-1301, these offenses have different standards of impairment and may carry different penalties depending upon the level of impairment detected.

• Driving Under the Influence (DUI) – A driver may face DUI charges when alcohol, drugs, or a combination of substances has substantially affected their ability to operate a vehicle safely on public roads. Colorado also establishes a DUI per se offense for drivers who are found to have a blood or breath alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or higher.
• Driving While Ability Impaired (DWAI) – DWAI occurs when alcohol or drugs impair a person’s ability to drive safely to even the slightest degree, but they may be below the allotted amount. A BAC between 0.05 and less than 0.08 creates a permissible inference of impairment under Colorado state law, although other evidence may also be considered when determining the level of impairment.
• Marijuana-Related DUI – Under C.R.S. § 42-4-1301(6)(a)(IV), a blood concentration of five nanograms or more of delta-9 THC per milliliter creates a permissible inference that a driver was under the influence of marijuana while operating a vehicle. However, this does not automatically establish that they are guilty of DUI, and additional evidence may be considered.
• DUI Penalties – A DUI conviction may result in:
  • Fines
  • Jail time
  • Probation
  • Community service
  • Alcohol education or treatment
  • Driver’s license suspension or revocation

The severity of these penalties will depend on factors such as prior convictions, the circumstances of the offense, and whether anyone was injured.

• Felony DUI Charges – Under C.R.S. § 42-4-1301(1)(a), there are certain impaired driving offenses that involve three or more qualifying prior convictions, which may be prosecuted as class 4 felonies. Felony convictions can carry more severe penalties, including potential imprisonment.
• DUI Accidents Involving Injuries or Death – Drivers accused of causing serious bodily injury or death while impaired may face additional criminal charges. Under C.R.S. § 18-3-205, vehicular assault may apply to qualifying accidents involving serious injuries, while C.R.S. § 18-3-106 addresses vehicular homicide involving a death.

Contact the Law Office of Steven Rodemer for Colorado Springs DUI Defense

Colorado’s DUI statistics show that impaired driving cases remain common throughout the state, especially in eastern Colorado communities, such as in El Paso County and the Colorado Springs area. Although statewide DUI filing rates have declined over time, individuals who have been accused of DUI may still face substantial legal and collateral consequences that affect their driving privileges, employment, finances, and future.

Our team of Colorado DUI defense lawyers at The Law Office of Steven Rodemer represents those who are facing DUI charges and other criminal allegations in Colorado Springs. Our criminal defense firm understands the importance of examining the evidence, evaluating the circumstances surrounding an arrest, and developing a defense strategy that is based on the facts of each case.

Don’t hesitate to contact our team at the Law Office of Steven Rodemer today to schedule a consultation with a Colorado Springs DUI defense lawyer. Our team will review the allegations against you, explain the laws that may apply, and discuss available legal options for protecting your rights throughout the criminal justice process, no matter what county you were charged with a DUI in.

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