Who has to install one in Colorado
| Your situation | Interlock | How long | Law |
|---|---|---|---|
| First DUI or per se, arrested on or after Jan 1, 2023, BAC below 0.15 | Required | 9 months, served alongside the revocation | dmv.colorado.gov2 |
| First DUI or per se, arrested on or after Jan 1, 2023, BAC 0.15 or higher | Required | 2 years | dmv.colorado.gov2 |
| Refused a test at a traffic stop | Required | 2 years | dmv.colorado.gov2 |
| Second or later per se offense | Required | 2 years | dmv.colorado.gov3 |
| First DUI, arrested before 2023, lower BAC | Required | 8 months | dmv.colorado.gov3 |
| Habitual traffic offender seeking early reinstatement | Required to reinstate | At least 1 year or the remainder of the revocation | dmv.colorado.gov3 |
A judge can order an interlock in other cases too. Your court order or DMV letter is what binds you.
Where each company can install in Colorado
You'll go back to the same company's locations for service for the whole order, so check that one is close to where you live and work before you book.
Locations as each company lists them on its own locator (Smart Start, Intoxalock, LifeSafer, Guardian), pulled Oct 2026. Some shops serve more than one company. Alcohol Detection Systems doesn't publish a locator we could read.
Interlock companies approved in Colorado
Smart Start
Listed as “1A Smart Start, Inc.”- In Colorado
- 209 service locations listed
- Nationwide
- On 40 of 44 state lists
- 12 months, filed fees
- $1,460–$1,510
- App rating
- 2.0 from 113 (App Store)
LifeSafer
Listed as “#1 A LifeSafer of CO”- In Colorado
- 72 service locations listed
- Nationwide
- On 34 of 44 state lists
- 12 months, filed fees
- $1,205–$1,355
- In Colorado
- 47 service locations listed
- Nationwide
- On 37 of 44 state lists
- 12 months, filed fees
- $1,427–$1,552
- App rating
- 1.7 from 899 (App Store)
- In Colorado
- 34 service locations listed
- Nationwide
- On 16 of 44 state lists
From the state's approved list (read it). Use a company on this list, or the install won't count. 12-month figures are lease, install and removal from each company's filed or published fee schedule, not Colorado prices; see how we add them up.
How much an interlock costs in Colorado
Estimated total for your order
Lease times the months you pick, plus install, removal and any enrollment fee, from each company's filed or published schedule (New York filing, Feb 2025; New York filing, Feb 2021; New York filing, Apr 2025). Colorado prices can differ; calibration visits and lockout fees come on top.
If you can't afford it
The Financial Assistance for Ignition Interlock program covers part of your lease charges for each month you hold a valid restricted license, up to $400 in total. It does not pay back costs from before you were approved, and the income limit is set as a percent of federal poverty guidelines.
Financial help in other statesThe rules in Colorado
- Program run by
- The Colorado Department of Revenue, Division of Motor Vehicles runs the interlock program. You can reach Driver Services at 303-205-5613.3
- Help paying
- The Financial Assistance for Ignition Interlock program covers part of your lease charges for each month you hold a valid restricted license, up to $400 in total. It does not pay back costs from before you were approved, and the income limit is set as a percent of federal poverty guidelines.4
- Getting it removed
- Colorado allows early reinstatement with an interlock, and the sources we reviewed do not describe ending the interlock requirement itself early. If you refused a test, you serve 2 months before you can apply.5
- Violations
- Driving a vehicle without an interlock or tampering with the device leads to revocation, and you cannot drive for at least one year. Skipping service past 60 days or letting your lease lapse leads to suspension until you fix it.3
Questions about interlocks in Colorado
How long do you have to have an interlock in Colorado?
It depends on your BAC and history. For arrests on or after January 1, 2023, the requirement is 9 months if your BAC was below 0.15 and 2 years if it was 0.15 or higher. Refusal and repeat offenses also carry 2 years. Arrests before 2023 with a lower BAC carried 8 months.3
Is there help paying for an ignition interlock in Colorado?
Yes, the Financial Assistance for Ignition Interlock program pays part of your lease charges for each month you hold a valid restricted license, up to $400 in total, with no retroactive funds. You must be a Colorado resident, lawfully present, 21 or older at the violation, and within the income limit. A later suspension or revocation ends assistance.4
Can you get an interlock removed early in Colorado?
The sources we reviewed describe early reinstatement with an interlock and say nothing about ending the interlock requirement early. For per se arrests on or after 2023, you become eligible for early reinstatement while the revocation is active. You must be a Colorado resident, 21 or older, and meet other requirements.5
What happens if you violate your interlock requirement in Colorado?
The result depends on the violation. Driving a vehicle without an interlock or tampering means revocation and no driving for at least one year. Missing service every 60 days means suspension until you comply, and a canceled lease means suspension until you have a new one. Three alcohol detections in 12 months can add up to a year.3
What happens if you refuse a breath test in Colorado?
A refusal brings an automatic 2-year interlock requirement. Since January 1, 2014, a refusal at a traffic stop also results in a Persistent Drunk Driver designation. If you later apply for early reinstatement with an interlock, you serve 2 months first.2
Which ignition interlock providers are approved in Colorado?
Colorado lists four approved vendors: 1A Smart Start, Inc., #1 A LifeSafer of CO, Intoxalock and Guardian. The Division of Motor Vehicles runs the program, and Driver Services at 303-205-5613 can answer questions about which provider fits your situation.3
Related guides
InterlockCompare is independent and doesn't make, sell or install interlocks. Not legal advice.