Minimum Legal Drinking Age (MLDA) laws generally specify the legal age at which an individual can consume, possess, purchase, or attempt to purchase alcoholic beverages. The MLDA in all states in the United States is 21 years. But the manner in which the MLDA is enforced—and the punishment for violations—varies from state to state.
In Colorado, as in all states across the United States, the Minimum Legal Drinking Age (MLDA) is 21 years old. This means individuals must be at least 21 years of age to legally consume, possess, or purchase alcoholic beverages. Colorado law prohibits underage drinking and includes specific provisions for enforcement and penalties. Violations of the MLDA laws can result in fines, community service, mandatory alcohol education or treatment programs, and the suspension of the violator's driver's license. It is important to note that while the MLDA is consistent nationwide due to the National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984, which effectively set the minimum age to 21 by withholding a portion of highway funding from states that did not comply, the specific penalties and enforcement mechanisms can vary significantly from state to state.