Skip to main content
US Criminal Defense.org
Menu

Colorado legal term

DWAI in Colorado Criminal Law

Current through 2026 Colorado legislative session

In Colorado criminal law, “DWAI” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the Colorado criminal code.

What does “DWAI” mean in Colorado criminal law?

"DWAI" means driving a motor vehicle or vehicle when a person has consumed alcohol or one or more drugs, or a combination of both alcohol and one or more drugs, that affects the person to the slightest degree so that the person is less able than the person ordinarily would have been, either mentally or physically, or both mentally and physically, to exercise clear judgment, sufficient physical control, or due care in the safe operation of a vehicle. (C.R.S. § 42-4-1307)

Statutes defining or using this term

Charges using this term

Related terms in the same statutes

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.