You can have only a limited number of points on a Colorado license before you risk suspension, and the limit depends on your age and license type.

How many points on a Colorado license?

Here are the general Colorado DMV point thresholds before your license is typically at risk of suspension:

  • Under 18 years old
    • 6 points in any 12‑month period, or
    • 7 total points before you turn 18.
  • 18 to 20 years old
    • 9 points in any 12‑month period, or
    • 12 points in any 24‑month period, or
    • 14 total points between ages 18–21.
  • 21 and older (regular adult drivers)
    • 12 points in any 12‑month period, or
    • 18 points in any 24‑month period.
  • Certain professional/chauffeur licenses (where applicable)
    • Up to about 16 points in 12 months, 24 in 24 months, or 28 in 48 months before suspension.

So in everyday terms, most adult drivers (21+) can’t safely go above 11 points in a year or 17 points in two years without risking suspension.

Example: what common tickets add

Typical Colorado traffic violations carry points roughly like this:

  • Speeding 1–4 mph over: 1 point.
  • Speeding 5–9 mph over: 1–3 points (often 1–3 depending on source).
  • Speeding 10–19 mph over: about 4 points.
  • Speeding 20–39 mph over: 6 points.
  • 40+ mph over: 12 points.
  • Failure to stop at red light/stop sign: 4 points.
  • Careless driving: 4 points.
  • Reckless driving: 8 points.
  • Driving without insurance: 4 points.
  • DUI or leaving the scene of an accident: 12 points.

A small story-style example:
If a 25‑year‑old driver gets a 4‑point speeding ticket in March and an 8‑point reckless driving ticket in August, that’s 12 points in 12 months , which can trigger a suspension review.

How long do the points matter?

  • Points stay on your Colorado driving record for a long time, but for suspension decisions , the DMV mainly looks at the last 12–24 months , depending on your age and the rule being applied.

Important notes

  • Colorado uses the date of the offense , not the conviction date, when counting points in a time window.
  • Colorado honors many out‑of‑state violations through interstate compacts, but the point values are based on Colorado’s system.

If you’re close to these limits or facing a hearing, it’s usually wise to speak with a Colorado traffic or DUI attorney, since small differences in points can decide whether you keep your license.

TL;DR:
For most adult drivers, going over 11 points in 12 months or 17 points in 24 months risks losing your Colorado license; for younger drivers, the limits are even lower.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.