Crs 2016
Crs 2016
TITLE 16
CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS
ARTICLE 1
General Provisions
16-1-101. Short title. (1) Articles 1 to 13 of this title shall be known and may be cited as
the "Colorado Code of Criminal Procedure". Within those articles, the "Colorado Code of Criminal
Procedure" is sometimes referred to as "this code".
(2) The portion of any section, subsection, paragraph, or subparagraph contained in this code
which precedes a list of examples, requirements, conditions, or other items may be referred to and
cited as the "introductory portion" of such section, subsection, paragraph, or subparagraph.
16-1-102. Scope. The provisions of this code are intended to create, define, and protect
rights, duties, and obligations as distinguished from matters wholly procedural. Except as specifically
set forth in this code, the provisions of this code are not applicable to proceedings under the
"Colorado Children's Code" or to violations of municipal charters or municipal ordinances.
16-1-103. Purpose. This code is intended to provide for the just determination of every
criminal proceeding. Its provisions shall be construed to secure simplicity in procedure, fairness in
administration, the elimination of unjustifiable expense and delay, the effective apprehension and
trial of persons accused of crime, the just determination of every criminal proceeding by a fair and
impartial trial, an adequate review, and the preservation of the public welfare and the fundamental
human rights of individuals.
16-1-104. Definitions. (1) The following definitions in this section are applicable generally
in this code. Other terms which need definition, but which are used only in a limited number of
sections of this code are defined in the particular section or article in which the terms appear.
16-1-105. Interpretation of words and phrases. (1) In interpreting this code, such words
and phrases as are defined in this article shall have the meanings indicated by their definitions, unless
a particular context clearly requires a different meaning.
(2) Words or phrases not defined in this code but which are defined in the "Colorado
Criminal Code" (title 18, C.R.S.) shall have the meanings given therein except when a particular
context clearly requires a different meaning.
(3) Words and phrases used in this code and not expressly defined shall be construed
according to the rules governing the construction of statutes of this state.
16-1-108. Admission of records in court. (1) In a trial or hearing, all official records and
documents of the state of Colorado, as defined in section 42-2-121 (2) (c), C.R.S., shall:
(a) Be admissible in all county and district courts within the state of Colorado without
further foundation;
(b) Be statutory exceptions to rule 802 of the Colorado rules of evidence; and
(c) Constitute prima facie proof of the information contained in the record or document if
the record or document is accompanied by a certificate stating that the executive director of the
department of revenue, or the executive director's appointee, has custody of the record or document
and accompanied by and attached to a cover page that:
(I) Specifies the number of pages, exclusive of the cover page, that constitute the record or
document being submitted; and
(II) Bears the signature of the executive director of the department of revenue, or the
executive director's appointee, attesting to the authenticity of the record or document; and
(III) Bears the official seal of the department of revenue or a stamped or printed facsimile
of the seal.
(2) As used in subsection (1) of this section, "official records and documents" includes any
mechanically or electronically reproduced copy, photograph, or printout of a record or document or
any portion of a record or document filed with, maintained by, or prepared by the department of
revenue pursuant to section 42-2-121 (2) (c), C.R.S. The department of revenue may also permit the
electronic transmission of information for direct recording in the department of revenue's records and
systems. Information transmitted by an electronic means that is approved by the department of
revenue constitutes an official record for the purposes of this section, regardless of whether an
original source document for the information exists or ever existed. The certificate and cover page
and its contents required by subsection (1) of this section may be electronically produced and
transmitted. An electronic reproduction of the certificate and cover page, including an electronic
signature of the executive director of the department of revenue or of the executive director's
appointee and an electronic reproduction of the official seal of the department of revenue, shall be
admissible in court as set forth in subsection (1) of this section.
(3) A record or document shall not be required to include every page of a record or document
ARTICLE 2
PART 1
16-2-103. Application of article. (1) Sections 16-2-102 to 16-2-114 apply only to the
prosecution of misdemeanors and petty offenses in county courts under simplified procedure and
have no application to misdemeanors or petty offenses prosecuted in other courts or to felonies.
(2) Any matter arising in a proceeding under simplified procedure not specifically covered
by sections 16-2-102 to 16-2-114 shall be subject to the other provisions of this code and any other
applicable statute or court rule or, in the absence of such statute or court rule, to the application of
common law principles. In any case due regard shall be had for speed and simplicity.
16-2-104. Issuance of summons and complaint. A summons and complaint may be issued
by any peace officer for an offense constituting a misdemeanor or a petty offense committed in his
presence or, if not committed in his presence, which he has probable cause to believe was committed
and probable cause to believe was committed by the person charged. Except for penalty assessment
notices, which shall be handled according to the procedures set forth in section 16-2-201, a copy of
a summons and complaint so issued shall be filed immediately with the county court before which
appearance is required, and a second copy shall be given to the district attorney or deputy district
16-2-107. Content of summons after complaint. A summons issued out of the county court
after a complaint is filed need contain only the date, time, and place of appearance of the defendant,
but a copy of the complaint shall be attached to and served with the summons.
16-2-108. Place of appearance and trial. The place at which the summons directs the
defendant to appear shall be the place at which the court having jurisdiction over the matter
customarily sits. It shall be a location at which the county court of the county in which the offense
was alleged to have been committed sits regularly unless otherwise provided by this section. If the
summons and complaint is issued by a peace officer and served personally upon the defendant by
such peace officer, it may direct appearance at a location in which the county court of an adjoining
county sits regularly if such a place is agreed to be more convenient by both the peace officer and
the defendant. Costs and fines, to the extent provided by law, shall be retained by the county in
which the matter is heard.
16-2-110. Failure to appear. If a person upon whom a summons or summons and complaint
has been served pursuant to this part 1 fails to appear in person or by counsel at the place and time
specified therein, a bench warrant may issue for his arrest.
16-2-114. Appeals. (1) The defendant may appeal a judgment of the county court in a
criminal action under simplified procedure to the district court of the county. To appeal, the
defendant shall, within thirty-five days after the date of entry of the judgment or the denial of
posttrial motions, whichever is later, file notice of appeal in the county court, post any advance costs
that are required for the preparation of the record, and serve a copy of the notice of appeal upon the
appellee. The defendant shall also, within such thirty-five days, docket the appeal in the district court
and pay the docket fee. No motion for new trial or in arrest of judgment shall be required as a
prerequisite to an appeal, but such motions may be made pursuant to applicable rule of the Colorado
PART 2
16-2-201. Penalty assessment procedure. (1) When a person is arrested for a class 2 petty
offense, the arresting officer may either give the person a penalty assessment notice and release him
upon its terms or take him before a judge of the county court in the county in which the alleged
offense occurred. The choice of procedures shall be based upon circumstances which reasonably
persuade the officer that the alleged offender is likely or unlikely to comply with the terms of the
penalty assessment notice. Such circumstances may include the officer accompanying the offender
to a post office or mailbox and witnessing the deposit in the mail of the notice with payment of the
fine attached.
(1.5) The provisions of subsection (1) of this section notwithstanding, when an officer comes
upon an unattended vehicle which is parked in apparent violation of any county parking ordinance,
the officer may place upon the vehicle a penalty assessment notice as specified in subsection (2) of
this section; except that said notice shall contain the license plate number and state of registration
of the vehicle and need not contain the identification of the alleged offender.
(2) The penalty assessment notice shall be a summons and complaint containing
identification of the alleged offender, specification of the offense and applicable fine, a requirement
that the alleged offender pay the fine or appear to answer the charge at a specified time and place,
and any other matter reasonably adapted to effectuating the purposes of this section. A duplicate
copy shall be sent to the clerk of the county court in the county in which the alleged offense
occurred. The provisions of this section shall not apply to penalties assessed pursuant to authority
of law outside this code unless this section is specifically referred to in such other law.
(3) If the person given a penalty assessment notice chooses to acknowledge his guilt, he may
pay the specified fine in person or by mail at the place and within the time specified in the notice.
If he chooses not to acknowledge his guilt, he shall appear as required in the notice. Upon trial, if
the alleged offender is found guilty, the fine imposed shall be that specified in the notice for the
offense of which he was found guilty, but customary court costs may be assessed against him in
ARTICLE 2.5
Peace Officers
PART 1
PEACE OFFICERS
16-2.5-101. Peace officer - description - general authority. (1) A person who is included
within the provisions of this article and who meets all standards imposed by law on a peace officer
is a peace officer, and, notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person other than a person
designated in this article is a peace officer. A peace officer may be certified by the peace officers
standards and training board pursuant to part 3 of article 31 of title 24, C.R.S., and, at a minimum,
has the authority to enforce all laws of the state of Colorado while acting within the scope of his or
her authority and in the performance of his or her duties, unless otherwise limited within this part
1.
(2) A peace officer certified by the peace officers standards and training board shall have the
authority to carry firearms at all times, concealed or otherwise, subject to the written firearms policy
created by the agency employing the peace officer. All other peace officers shall have the authority
to carry firearms, concealed or otherwise, while engaged in the performance of their duties or as
otherwise authorized by the written policy of the agency employing the officer.
(3) As used in every statute, unless the context otherwise requires, "law enforcement officer"
means a peace officer.
16-2.5-102. Certified peace officer - P.O.S.T. certification required. The following peace
officers shall meet all the standards imposed by law on a peace officer and shall be certified by the
peace officers standards and training board, referred to in this article as the "P.O.S.T. board": A chief
of police; a police officer; a sheriff; an undersheriff; a deputy sheriff; a Colorado state patrol officer;
a town marshal; a deputy town marshal; a reserve police officer; a reserve deputy sheriff; a reserve
deputy town marshal; a police officer or reserve police officer employed by a state institution of
higher education; a Colorado wildlife officer; a Colorado parks and recreation officer; a Colorado
police administrator or police officer employed by the Colorado mental health institute at Pueblo;
an attorney general criminal investigator; a community parole officer; a public transit officer; a
municipal court marshal; and the department of corrections inspector general.
16-2.5-104. Coroner. A coroner is a peace officer while engaged in the performance of his
or her duties whose authority shall be limited pursuant to part 6 of article 10 of title 30, C.R.S.
16-2.5-106. Southern Ute Indian police officer. A Southern Ute Indian police officer is
a peace officer whose authority shall include the enforcement of all laws of the state of Colorado and
who may be certified by the P.O.S.T. board.
16-2.5-107. Ute Mountain Ute Indian police officer. A Ute Mountain Ute Indian police
officer is a peace officer whose authority shall include the enforcement of all laws of the state of
Colorado and who may be certified by the P.O.S.T. board.
16-2.5-108. Town marshal - deputy. A town marshal or deputy town marshal is a peace
officer whose authority shall include the enforcement of all laws of the state of Colorado and who
shall be certified by the P.O.S.T. board.
16-2.5-109. Fire arson investigator. A fire arson investigator authorized by a unit of local
government is a peace officer while engaged in the performance of his or her duties whose authority
shall be limited to the enforcement of arson and related laws and who may be certified by the
P.O.S.T. board.
16-2.5-110. Reserve police officer - reserve deputy sheriff - reserve deputy town
marshal - definitions. (1) (a) A reserve police officer, a reserve deputy sheriff, and a reserve deputy
(II) May be a fully P.O.S.T.-certified peace officer serving as a volunteer and may be granted
full peace officer status and authority at the discretion of the appointing authority.
(2) A city, city and county, town, county, or state institution of higher education assigning
duties to a reserve officer beyond those duties included in the P.O.S.T. board training shall assume
the responsibility for ensuring that the reserve officer is adequately trained for the duties. Any
expenses associated with the additional training shall be authorized by the city, city and county,
town, county, or state institution of higher education. If the jurisdiction allows or requires the
reserve officer to carry or use a firearm while on duty, the reserve officer shall be certified for
firearms proficiency with the same frequency and subject to the same requirements as a P.O.S.T.-
certified peace officer in the jurisdiction. A reserve officer who does not comply with the training
requirements set forth in this subsection (2) is not authorized to enforce the laws of the state of
Colorado.
(3) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2007, p. 121, § 1, effective August 3, 2007.)
(3.5) If a police chief, sheriff, or town marshal determines that a reserve officer has been
adequately trained to perform a law-enforcement function that the police chief, sheriff, or town
marshal is required to perform, the police chief, sheriff, or town marshal may allow the reserve
officer to perform the function either in uniform or in civilian clothes, whichever is appropriate.
(4) When performing extradition duties, the reserve officer shall be accompanied by a
P.O.S.T.-certified officer.
(5) A reserve officer may be compensated for his or her time during a declared emergency
or during a time of special need. In all other circumstances, a reserve officer shall serve without
compensation, but may be reimbursed at the discretion of the city, city and county, town, county, or
state institution of higher education benefitting from the services of the reserve officer for any
authorized out-of-pocket expenses incurred in the course of his or her duties. The city, city and
county, town, county, or state institution of higher education shall pay the cost of workers'
compensation benefits for injuries incurred by a reserve officer while on duty and while acting within
the scope of his or her assigned duties. A reserve officer is an authorized volunteer for purposes of
article 10 of title 24, C.R.S.
(6) For the purposes of this section:
(a) "Direct supervision" means an assignment given by a fully P.O.S.T.-certified peace
officer to a reserve officer, which assignment is carried out in the personal presence of, or in direct
16-2.5-114. Colorado state patrol officer. A Colorado state patrol officer is a peace officer
whose authority shall include the enforcement of all laws of the state of Colorado pursuant to section
24-33.5-212, C.R.S., and who shall be certified by the P.O.S.T. board.
16-2.5-115. Port of entry officer. A port of entry officer is a peace officer while engaged
in the performance of his or her duties whose authority shall be limited pursuant to section 42-8-104,
C.R.S.
16-2.5-116. Colorado wildlife officer - special wildlife officer. (1) A Colorado wildlife
officer employed by the Colorado division of parks and wildlife in the department of natural
16-2.5-117. Colorado parks and recreation officer - special parks and recreation
officer. (1) A Colorado parks and recreation officer employed by the Colorado division of parks and
wildlife in the department of natural resources is a peace officer whose authority shall include the
enforcement of all laws of the state of Colorado pursuant to section 33-10-102 (17), C.R.S., and who
shall be certified by the P.O.S.T. board. Each Colorado parks and recreation officer shall be required
to complete a minimum of forty hours of continuing law enforcement education per calendar year,
or such number of hours as may otherwise be required by law.
(2) A special parks and recreation officer is a peace officer whose authority is limited as
defined by the director of the division of parks and wildlife pursuant to section 33-10-109 (1) (f),
C.R.S.
16-2.5-119. State brand inspector. A state brand inspector is a peace officer while engaged
in the performance of his or her duties whose authority shall be limited pursuant to section 35-53-
128, C.R.S.
16-2.5-120. Colorado state higher education security officer. A Colorado state higher
education security officer employed by a state institution of higher education pursuant to sections
24-7-101 to 24-7-106, C.R.S., is a peace officer whose authority shall include the enforcement of
all laws of the state of Colorado and who may be certified by the P.O.S.T. board.
16-2.5-123. Director of the division of gaming - gaming investigator. The director of the
division of gaming in the department of revenue or a gaming investigator in the department of
revenue is a peace officer while engaged in the performance of his or her duties whose primary
authority shall be as stated in section 12-47.1-204, C.R.S., and shall also include the enforcement
of all laws of the state of Colorado and who may be certified by the P.O.S.T. board.
16-2.5-125. State lottery investigator. A state lottery investigator is a peace officer while
engaged in the performance of his or her duties whose primary authority shall be as stated in sections
24-35-205 (3) and 24-35-206 (7), C.R.S., and shall also include the enforcement of all laws of the
state of Colorado and who may be certified by the P.O.S.T. board.
16-2.5-127. State student loan investigator. A state student loan investigator is a peace
officer while engaged in the performance of his or her duties whose authority shall be limited
pursuant to section 23-3.1-104 (2) (q), C.R.S.
16-2.5-128. Colorado attorney general - chief deputy attorney general - solicitor general
- assistant solicitor general - deputy attorney general - assistant attorney general of criminal
enforcement - assistant attorney general and employee as designated. The attorney general, chief
deputy attorney general, solicitor general, assistant solicitors general, deputy attorneys general,
assistant attorneys general of criminal enforcement, and certain other assistant attorneys general and
employees of the department of law who are designated by the attorney general are peace officers
whose authority shall include the enforcement of all laws of the state of Colorado and who may be
certified by the P.O.S.T. board.
16-2.5-130. P.O.S.T. director - P.O.S.T. board investigator. The director of the P.O.S.T.
board and a P.O.S.T. board investigator are peace officers while engaged in the performance of their
duties whose primary authority shall include the enforcement of laws and rules pertaining to the
training and certification of peace officers and shall include the enforcement of all laws of the state
of Colorado and who may be certified by the P.O.S.T. board.
16-2.5-131. Chief security officer for the general assembly. The chief security officer for
the general assembly is a peace officer while engaged in the performance of his or her duties whose
authority shall be limited pursuant to section 2-2-402, C.R.S.
16-2.5-132. District attorney - assistant district attorney - chief deputy district attorney
- deputy district attorney - special deputy district attorney - special prosecutor. A district
attorney, an assistant district attorney, a chief deputy district attorney, a deputy district attorney, a
special deputy district attorney, and a special prosecutor are peace officers whose authority shall
include the enforcement of all laws of the state of Colorado and who may be certified by the P.O.S.T.
board.
16-2.5-137. Adult probation officer. An adult probation officer is a peace officer while
engaged in the performance of his or her duties whose authority shall be limited pursuant to part 2
of article 11 of this title.
16-2.5-141. Colorado state security guard. A Colorado state security guard is a peace
officer while engaged in the performance of his or her duties pursuant to article 7 of title 24, C.R.S.,
whose authority shall be limited to the scope and authority of his or her assigned duties and who may
be certified by the P.O.S.T. board.
16-2.5-142. Railroad peace officer. A railroad peace officer is a peace officer while
engaged in the performance of his or her duties whose authority shall be limited pursuant to section
40-32-104.5, C.R.S., and who may be certified by the P.O.S.T. board.
16-2.5-146. Public transit officer - definitions. (1) A public transit officer who is
employed by a public transportation entity and is specifically designated a peace officer by the public
transportation entity is a peace officer while engaged in the performance of his or her duties in
accordance with any policies and procedures adopted by the public transportation entity. A public
transit officer's authority includes the enforcement of all laws of the state of Colorado. A public
transit officer shall be certified by the P.O.S.T. board.
(2) As used in this section, "public transportation entity" means a mass transit district, a mass
transit authority, or any public entity authorized under the laws of this state to provide mass
transportation services to the general public.
16-2.5-147. Federal special agents. (1) A special agent of the federal bureau of
investigation or the United States bureau of alcohol, tobacco, firearms, and explosives, a deputy or
special deputy United States marshal, or an officer of the federal protective service of the United
States department of homeland security immigration and customs enforcement, in any jurisdiction
within the state of Colorado, is a peace officer whose authority is limited as provided in this section.
The special agent, deputy or special deputy, or officer is authorized to act in the following
circumstances:
(a) The special agent, deputy or special deputy, or officer is:
(I) Responding to a nonfederal felony or misdemeanor that has been committed in the
presence of the special agent, deputy or special deputy, or officer;
(II) Responding to an emergency situation in which the special agent, deputy or special
deputy, or officer has probable cause to believe that a nonfederal felony or misdemeanor involving
injury or threat of injury to a person or property has been, or is being, committed and immediate
action is required to prevent escape, serious bodily injury, or destruction of property;
(III) Rendering assistance at the request of a Colorado peace officer; or
(IV) Effecting an arrest or providing assistance as part of a bona fide task force or joint
investigation with Colorado peace officers; and
(b) The agent, deputy or special deputy, or officer acts in accordance with the rules and
regulations of his or her employing agency.
(2) A special agent of the federal bureau of investigation or the United States bureau of
alcohol, tobacco, firearms, and explosives, a deputy or special deputy United States marshal, or an
officer of the federal protective service of the United States department of homeland security
immigration and customs enforcement is a person who is employed by the United States government,
assigned to the federal bureau of investigation, the United States bureau of alcohol, tobacco,
firearms, and explosives, the United States marshal service, or the federal protective service of the
United States department of homeland security immigration and customs enforcement, empowered
to effect an arrest with or without a warrant for violations of the United States code, and authorized
to carry a firearm and use deadly force in the performance of the special agent's, deputy's or special
16-2.5-148. Colorado state higher education police officer. A Colorado state higher
education police officer employed by a state institution of higher education pursuant to article 7.5
of title 24, C.R.S., is a peace officer whose authority shall include the enforcement of all laws of the
state of Colorado and who shall be certified by the P.O.S.T. board.
16-2.5-149. City attorney - town attorney - senior assistant city attorney - assistant city
attorney - chief deputy city attorney - deputy city attorney - special deputy city attorney -
prosecuting attorney - senior prosecuting attorney - senior prosecutor - special
prosecutor. (1) A city attorney, town attorney, senior assistant city attorney, assistant city attorney,
chief deputy city attorney, deputy city attorney, special deputy city attorney, prosecuting attorney,
senior prosecuting attorney, senior prosecutor, or special prosecutor employed or contracted by a
municipality, city, town, statutory city or town, or city and county is a peace officer only while
engaged in the performance of his or her duties as a prosecutor. Such peace officer's authority shall
include the enforcement of all laws of the municipality, city, town, statutory city or town, or city and
county and the state of Colorado, and the peace officer may be certified by the P.O.S.T. board.
(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (1) of this section, the peace officer status
conferred by subsection (1) of this section shall not be available to an attorney specified in
subsection (1) of this section who chooses to practice as a criminal defense attorney in the state of
Colorado while also working as a prosecuting attorney or an attorney who contracts with a
municipality, city, town, statutory city or town, or city and county, local government to serve as a
city attorney, town attorney, senior assistant city attorney, assistant city attorney, chief deputy city
attorney, deputy city attorney, special deputy city attorney, prosecuting attorney, senior prosecuting
attorney, senior prosecutor, or special prosecutor on a less than a full-time basis.
16-2.5-151. Federal secret service agents. (1) A special agent, uniform division officer,
physical security technician, physical security specialist, or special officer of the United States secret
service, referred to in this section as a "secret service agent", in any jurisdiction within the state of
Colorado, is a peace officer whose authority is limited as provided in this section. The secret service
agent is a peace officer in the following circumstances:
(a) (I) Responding to a nonfederal felony or misdemeanor that has been committed in his or
her presence;
(II) Responding to an emergency situation in which he or she has probable cause to believe
that a nonfederal felony or misdemeanor involving injury or threat of injury to a person or property
has been, or is being, committed and immediate action is required to prevent escape, serious bodily
injury, or destruction of property;
(III) Rendering assistance at the request of a Colorado peace officer; or
(IV) Effecting an arrest or providing assistance as part of a bona fide task force or joint
investigation with Colorado peace officers; and
(b) The secret service agent acts in accordance with the rules and regulations of his or her
employing agency.
(2) A secret service agent is a person who is employed by the United States government,
assigned to the United States secret service, empowered to effect an arrest with or without a warrant
for violations of the United States code, and authorized to carry a firearm and use deadly force in the
performance of his or her duties as a federal law enforcement officer.
(3) Upon effecting an arrest under the authority of this section, a secret service agent shall
immediately surrender custody of the arrested individual to a Colorado peace officer.
(4) This section does not impose liability on or require indemnification or create a waiver
of sovereign immunity by the state of Colorado for any action performed under this section by a
secret service agent.
(5) Nothing in this section shall be construed to expand the authority of federal law
enforcement officers to initiate or conduct an independent investigation into violations of Colorado
law.
PART 2
16-2.5-202. P.O.S.T. board review of peace officer status. (1) For a position, group, or
political subdivision that received peace officer status after July 1, 2003, and did not go through the
process described in section 16-2.5-201, the P.O.S.T. board shall review the peace officer authority
of the position, group, or political subdivision.
(2) The P.O.S.T. board shall require the group that received the peace officer status or the
group or political subdivision that oversees a position that received peace officer status to submit to
the P.O.S.T. board the information required in section 16-2.5-201 (2).
(3) After receiving the information, the P.O.S.T. board shall prepare an analysis, evaluation,
and recommendation of the peace officer status. The analysis, evaluation, and recommendation shall
be based upon the criteria established in P.O.S.T. board rule.
(4) The P.O.S.T. board shall conduct a hearing concerning peace officer status for the group
or the specific position, pursuant to the provisions of section 16-2.5-201 (4).
(5) The P.O.S.T. board shall submit a report to the group or political subdivision seeking to
retain peace officer status, either for the group or for a specific position, and to the judiciary
committees of the house of representatives and the senate no later than October 15 of the year
following the year in which the P.O.S.T. board began the review. The report may include legislative
recommendations.
16-2.5-203. Rules. Pursuant to article 4 of title 24, C.R.S., the P.O.S.T. board shall
promulgate rules establishing the criteria that shall be applied in determining whether to recommend
peace officer status for a group or specific position as provided in section 16-2.5-201 (4).
PART 3
ARTICLE 2.7
16-2.7-101. Definitions. As used in this article, unless the context otherwise requires:
16-2.7-102. Missing person reports - acceptance. (1) Any person with relevant, credible
information suggesting that a person is missing may make a missing person report to a law
enforcement agency.
(2) A law enforcement agency shall accept without delay a missing person report that is
submitted in person if:
(a) The missing person resides, or was last known to reside, within the jurisdiction of the law
enforcement agency and the missing person's last-known location is the missing person's residence
or his or her location is unknown; or
(b) There is credible information indicating that the missing person was last believed to be
within the jurisdiction of the law enforcement agency.
(3) Each law enforcement agency is encouraged to accept a missing person report submitted
by telephone or by electronic or other media to the extent that:
(a) The report meets the conditions of paragraph (a) or (b) of subsection (2) of this section;
and
(b) Acceptance of the report is consistent with law enforcement policies or practices.
(4) A law enforcement agency shall not refuse to accept a missing person report on the basis
that the missing person has not yet been missing for any length of time.
(5) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (2) and (3) of this section, a law
enforcement agency is not required to accept a missing person report if the person is the subject of
a missing person report under investigation by another law enforcement agency within this state.
16-2.7-103. Missing person reports - response. (1) Upon receiving a report of a missing
person, a law enforcement agency shall assess the information received from the reporting person
and other available information. The law enforcement agency shall then determine the best course
of action based on the circumstances.
(2) (a) If the missing person is eighteen years of age or older and has allegedly been missing
for twenty-four hours or more, the appropriate course of action includes entry of relevant information
ARTICLE 3
PART 1
16-3-101. Arrest - when and how made. (1) An arrest may be made on any day and at any
time of the day or night.
(2) All necessary and reasonable force may be used in making an arrest.
(3) All necessary and reasonable force may be used to effect an entry upon any building or
property or part thereof to make an authorized arrest.
16-3-102. Arrest by peace officer. (1) A peace officer may arrest a person when:
(a) He has a warrant commanding that such person be arrested; or
(b) Any crime has been or is being committed by such person in his presence; or
(c) He has probable cause to believe that an offense was committed and has probable cause
to believe that the offense was committed by the person to be arrested.
16-3-103. Stopping of suspect. (1) A peace officer may stop any person who he reasonably
suspects is committing, has committed, or is about to commit a crime and may require him to give
his name and address, identification if available, and an explanation of his actions. A peace officer
shall not require any person who is stopped pursuant to this section to produce or divulge such
person's social security number. The stopping shall not constitute an arrest.
(2) When a peace officer has stopped a person for questioning pursuant to this section and
reasonably suspects that his personal safety requires it, he may conduct a pat-down search of that
person for weapons.
16-3-104. Arrest by peace officer from another jurisdiction - definitions. (1) As used
in this section:
(a) "State" means any state of the United States and the District of Columbia;
(b) "Peace officer" means any officer of another state having powers of arrest in that state;
16-3-105. Release by arresting authority. (1) When a person has been arrested without
a warrant, he may be released by the arresting authority on its own authority if:
(a) The arresting officer or a responsible command officer of the arresting authority is
satisfied that there are no adequate grounds for criminal complaint against the person arrested; or
(b) The offense for which the person was arrested and is being held is a misdemeanor or
petty offense and the arresting officer or a responsible command officer of the arresting authority is
satisfied that the person arrested will obey a summons commanding his appearance at a later date.
(1.5) No person arrested for any crime or offense, the underlying factual basis of which
includes an act of domestic violence as defined in section 18-6-800.3 (1), C.R.S., shall be released
at the scene of the alleged crime pursuant to subsection (1) of this section.
(2) If the person is released in accordance with subsection (1) (b) of this section, he shall be
given a summons and complaint as provided for in sections 16-2-104 and 16-2-106 and shall sign
a written acknowledgment of its receipt and a promise to appear at the time and place specified.
16-3-106. Peace officer may pursue offender. When any peace officer is in fresh pursuit
of any alleged offender, having a warrant for his arrest or having knowledge that such warrant has
been issued, or, in the absence of an arrest warrant, when the offense was committed in the officer's
presence or the officer has reasonable grounds to believe that the alleged offender has committed a
criminal offense, and the alleged offender crosses a boundary line marking the territorial limit of his
authority, such peace officer may pursue him beyond such boundary line and make the arrest, issue
a summons and complaint, or issue a notice of penalty assessment.
16-3-107. Custodial care of prisoner in transit. It is lawful for any peace officer who has
the custody of any alleged offender following an arrest to pass through any counties which lie on his
route between the place of arrest and the county to which he is taking the alleged offender and to
(7) Whenever a prisoner is housed in a secure facility, the contracting entity shall pay to the
operator of the secure facility providing the housing the actual cost of housing the prisoner.
(8) Any individual or entity who violates any provision of subsections (2) to (5) of this
section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not
more than five thousand dollars.
(9) If any prisoner being transported escapes due to the negligence of the contracting entity
or a supervising individual, the contracting entity shall be held liable for all actual costs incurred by
any governmental entity in recapturing the escaped prisoner and all actual damages caused by the
escaped prisoner while at large.
16-3-109. Peace officer - authority to make arrest while off duty. A peace officer, as
described in section 16-2.5-101, who, while off duty, is employed in a capacity specifically permitted
by policies and procedures adopted by such officer's governmental entity employer shall possess the
status and authority which would otherwise be afforded an on-duty peace officer as described in
section 16-2.5-101, acting within the course and scope of such officer's employment. To be within
the scope of this section, a peace officer employed by a nongovernmental entity must be in uniform
with the peace officer's public entity badge plainly visible, or such peace officer must have been
approved for plain clothes work by the peace officer's governmental employer.
16-3-110. Peace officers - duties. (1) For the purposes of this section, "peace officer"
PART 2
16-3-201. Arrest by a private person. A person who is not a peace officer may arrest
another person when any crime has been or is being committed by the arrested person in the presence
of the person making the arrest.
16-3-203. Preventing a crime - reimbursement. Any person who is not a peace officer as
defined in section 24-31-301 (5), C.R.S., who is made the defendant in any civil action as a result
of having sought to prevent a crime being committed against any other person, and who has
judgment entered in his favor shall be entitled to all his court costs and to reasonable attorney fees
PART 3
16-3-301. Search warrants - issuance - grounds. (1) A search warrant authorized by this
section may be issued by any judge of a court of record.
(2) A search warrant may be issued under this section to search for and seize any property:
(a) Which is stolen or embezzled; or
(b) Which is designed or intended for use as a means of committing a criminal offense; or
(c) Which is or has been used as a means of committing a criminal offense; or
(d) The possession of which is illegal; or
(e) Which would be material evidence in a subsequent criminal prosecution in this state or
in another state; or
(f) The seizure of which is expressly required, authorized, or permitted by any statute of this
state; or
(g) Which is kept, stored, maintained, transported, sold, dispensed, or possessed in violation
of a statute of this state, under circumstances involving a serious threat to public safety or order or
to public health; or
(h) Which would aid in the detection of the whereabouts of or in the apprehension of a
person for whom a lawful arrest warrant is outstanding.
(3) A search warrant may be issued under this section to search for any person for whom a
lawful arrest warrant is outstanding.
16-3-301.1. Court orders for the production of records - definitions. (1) A judge of a
court of record may order the production of records.
(2) A court may order the production of records under this section to require the production
of records in the actual or constructive control of a business entity:
(a) That have been stolen or embezzled;
(b) That are designed or intended for use as a means of committing a criminal offense;
(c) That are or have been used as a means of committing a criminal offense;
(d) The possession of which is illegal;
(e) That would be material evidence in a subsequent criminal prosecution in this state,
another state, or federal court;
(f) The seizure of which is expressly required, authorized, or permitted by a statute of this
state or the United States; or
(g) That would aid in the detection of the whereabouts of or in the apprehension of a person
for whom a lawful arrest order is outstanding.
(3) (a) A court shall order the production of records only on receipt of an affidavit sworn to
or affirmed before the judge and relating facts sufficient to:
16-3-303. Search warrants - application. (1) A search warrant shall issue only on affidavit
sworn to or affirmed before the judge and relating facts sufficient to:
(a) Identify or describe, as nearly as may be, the premises, person, place, or thing to be
searched;
(b) Identify or describe, as nearly as may be, the property to be searched for, seized, or
inspected;
(c) Establish the grounds for issuance of the warrant or probable cause to believe that such
grounds exist; and
(d) Establish probable cause to believe that the property to be searched for, seized, or
inspected is located at, in, or upon the premises, person, place, or thing to be searched.
(2) The affidavit required by this section may include sworn testimony reduced to writing
and signed under oath by the witness giving the testimony before issuance of the warrant. A copy
(c) Identify the criminal offense concerning which the order has been issued;
(d) Identify the name of the victim of the assault, peace officer, firefighter, emergency
medical care provider, or emergency medical service provider;
(e) Include a mandate to the officer to whom the order is directed to detain the person for
only such time as is necessary to obtain the blood; and
(f) Include the typewritten or printed name of the judge issuing the order and his or her
signature.
(5) Execution and return. (a) The blood tests must be conducted under medical
supervision. A person who appears under an order of appearance issued pursuant to this section shall
not be detained longer than is reasonably necessary to obtain the blood unless he or she is arrested
for an offense.
(b) The order may be executed and returned only within thirty-five days after its issuance.
(c) The officer executing the order shall give a copy of the order to the person upon whom
it is served.
(6) Disclosure of results and confidentiality. (a) The results of any test on the blood
obtained pursuant to an order issued under this section must be reported to the court or the court's
designee, who shall then disclose the results to any person named in paragraph (d) of subsection (4)
of this section who requests the disclosure.
(b) Except as required by paragraph (a) of this subsection (6), the court shall keep the test
results, disclosure of the test results, and any records relating to the test results or the disclosure of
the test results confidential.
(7) Voluntary submission. If a person described in paragraph (a) of subsection (3) of this
section voluntarily submits to a test for communicable diseases, the fact of the person's voluntary
submission is admissible in mitigation of sentence if the person is convicted of the charged offense.
16-3-304. Search warrants - contents. (1) If the judge is satisfied that grounds for the
application exist or that there is probable cause to believe that such grounds exist, he shall issue a
search warrant, which shall:
(a) Identify or describe, as nearly as may be, the premises, person, place, or thing to be
searched;
(b) Identify or describe, as nearly as may be, the property to be searched for, seized, or
inspected;
(c) State the grounds or probable cause for its issuance; and
(d) State the names of the persons whose affidavits or testimony have been taken in support
thereof.
(2) The search warrant may also contain such other and further orders as the judge deems
necessary to comply with the provisions of a statute, charter, or ordinance, or to provide for the
16-3-305. Search warrants - direction - execution and return. (1) Except as otherwise
provided in this section, a search warrant shall be directed to any officer authorized by law to execute
it in the county wherein the property is located.
(2) A search warrant issued by a judge of a municipal court shall be directed to any officer
authorized by law to execute it in the municipality wherein the property is located.
(3) Any judge issuing a search warrant, on the grounds stated in section 16-3-301, for the
search of a person or for the search of any motor vehicle, aircraft, or other object which is mobile
or capable of being transported may make an order authorizing a peace officer to be named in the
warrant to execute the same, and the person named in such order may execute the warrant anywhere
in the state. All sheriffs, coroners, police officers, and officers of the Colorado state patrol, when
required, in their respective counties, shall aid and assist in the execution of such warrant. The order
authorized by this subsection (3) may also authorize execution of the warrant by any officer
authorized by law to execute it in the county wherein the property is located.
(4) When any officer, having a warrant for the search of a person or for the search of any
motor vehicle, aircraft, or other object which is mobile or capable of being transported is in pursuit
thereof and the person, motor vehicle, aircraft, or other object crosses or enters into another county,
such officer is authorized to execute the warrant in the other county.
(5) It is the duty of all peace officers into whose hands any search warrant comes to execute
the same, in their respective counties or municipalities, and make due return thereof. Procedures
consistent with this section for the execution and return of search warrants may be provided by rule
of the supreme court.
(6) A search warrant shall be executed within fourteen days after its date.
16-3-306. Search warrants - joinder. The search of one or more persons, premises, places,
or things, or any combination of persons, premises, places, or things, may be commanded in a single
warrant or in separate warrants, if compliance is made with section 16-3-303 (1) (d).
16-3-307. Limiting clause. Nothing in this part 3 shall be construed to require the issuance
of a search warrant in cases in which such warrant is not required by law. This statute does not
modify any statute inconsistent with it, regulating search, seizure, and the issuance and execution
of search warrants in circumstances for which special provision is made.
16-3-309. Admissibility of laboratory test results. (1) When evidence is seized in so small
a quantity or unstable condition that qualitative laboratory testing will not leave a sufficient quantity
of the evidence for independent analysis by the defendant's expert and when a state agent, in the
regular performance of his duties, can reasonably foresee that the evidence might be favorable to the
defendant, the trial court shall not suppress the prosecution's evidence if the court determines that
the testing was performed in good faith and in accordance with regular procedures designed to
preserve the evidence which might have been favorable to the defendant.
(2) The trial court shall consider the following factors in determining, pursuant to subsection
(1) of this section, whether the state has met its obligation to preserve the evidence:
(a) Whether or not a suspect has been identified and apprehended and whether or not the
suspect has retained counsel or has had counsel appointed for him at the time of testing;
(b) Whether the state should have used an available test method more likely to preserve the
results of seized evidence;
(c) Whether, when the test results are susceptible to subjective interpretation, the state should
have photographed or otherwise documented the test results as evidence;
(d) Whether the state should have preserved the used test samples;
16-3-310. Oral advisement and consent prior to search of a vehicle or a person during
a police contact. (1) (a) Prior to conducting a consensual search of a person who is not under arrest,
the person's effects, or a vehicle, a peace officer shall comply with paragraph (b) of this subsection
(1).
16-3-311. Peace officer incident recordings. (1) A person has the right to lawfully record
any incident involving a peace officer and to maintain custody and control of that recording and the
device used to record the recording. A peace officer shall not seize a recording or recording device
without consent, without a search warrant or subpoena, or without a lawful exception to the warrant
requirement.
(2) (a) If a peace officer seeks to obtain from a person a device used to record an incident
involving a peace officer in order to access the recording as possible evidence in an investigation,
the officer shall first:
(I) Advise the person of his or her name, his or her badge number or other identifying
number, and the name of the law enforcement agency;
(II) Identify the legal reason for which the information is requested; and
(III) If practicable under the circumstances, inquire whether the person will voluntarily
provide the officer with a copy of the specific recording that is relevant to the investigation either
by voluntarily providing the device to the officer or immediately electronically transferring the
information to the officer or the law enforcement agency so that the person may retain possession
of his or her device, the recording, and any personal non-evidentiary private information contained
(4) Nothing in this section shall be construed to allow a person to interfere with a peace
officer in the lawful performance of his or her duties.
PART 4
16-3-401. Treatment while in custody. (1) No unlawful means of any kind shall be used
to obtain a statement, admission, or confession from any person in custody.
(2) Persons arrested or in custody shall be treated humanely and provided with adequate
food, shelter, and, if required, medical treatment. Anyone receiving medical treatment while held in
custody may be assessed a medical treatment charge as provided in section 17-26-104.5, C.R.S.
16-3-402. Right to communicate with attorney and family. (1) Persons who are arrested
shall have the right to communicate with an attorney of their choice and a member of their family
by making a reasonable number of telephone calls or by communicating in any other reasonable
manner. Such communication shall be permitted at the earliest possible time after arrival at the
police station, sheriff's office, jail, or other like confinement facility to which such person is first
taken after arrest.
(2) If the accused is transferred to a new place of custody, his right to communicate with an
attorney and a member of his family is renewed.
16-3-403. Right to consult with attorney. Any person committed, imprisoned, or arrested
for any cause, whether or not such person is charged with an offense, shall be allowed to consult with
an attorney-at-law of this state whom such person desires to see or consult, alone and in private at
the place of custody, as many times and for such period each time as is reasonable. Except where
extradition proceedings have been completed or are not required by law, when any such person is
about to be moved beyond the limits of this state, the person to be moved shall be entitled to a
reasonable delay for the purpose of obtaining counsel and of availing himself of the laws of this state
for the security of personal liberty.
16-3-404. Duty of officers to admit attorney. (1) All peace officers or persons having in
custody any person committed, imprisoned, or arrested for any alleged cause shall forthwith admit
any attorney-at-law in this state, upon the demand of the prisoner or of a friend, relative, spouse, or
attorney of the prisoner, to see and consult the person so imprisoned, alone and in private, at the jail
or other place of custody, if such person so imprisoned expressly consents to see or to consult with
the attorney.
(2) Any peace officer or person violating the duty imposed by this section or section 16-3-
403 shall forfeit and pay not less than one hundred dollars nor more than one thousand dollars to the
person imprisoned or to his attorney for the benefit of the person imprisoned, to be recovered in any
court of competent jurisdiction.
PART 5
16-3-501. Warrants issued for persons illegally in the country. (1) If a person has posted
a bond in a criminal case, at any stage of a criminal proceeding, and the person is released to the
United States immigration and customs enforcement agency, the court shall issue a warrant
commanding the arrest of the person when contacted anywhere within the United States and shall
set the amount of the bond on the warrant. The warrant shall be entered in the Colorado crime
16-3-502. No dismissal of cases against persons illegally in the country. (1) A court shall
not dismiss criminal charges against a person because the person has been removed or is facing
removal from the United States prior to a conviction or other disposition of all criminal charges
against the person; except that the court may dismiss the criminal charges upon a motion of the
district attorney.
(2) A court shall not dismiss criminal charges against a person who has been convicted or
pled guilty to a crime because the person has been removed or is facing removal from the United
States. The defendant shall serve his or her sentence and pay all restitution prior to removal.
(3) If the provisions of part 3 of article 4.1 of title 24, C.R.S., apply, the victim shall be
consulted pursuant to the provisions of sections 24-4.1-302.5 and 24-4.1-303, C.R.S.
16-3-503. Bonds recovered for persons illegally in the country. (1) (a) When a law
enforcement agency holding a defendant charged with a felony or a class 1 or class 2 misdemeanor
determines that, based on investigation, including consideration of the defendant's inability to
produce one of the identifying documents listed in subsection (3) of this section, there is probable
cause to find that the defendant is likely illegally present in the United States, the law enforcement
agency shall notify the defendant's bail bonding agent in writing before the bond is posted. Prior to
posting a bond for a defendant charged with a felony or a class 1 or class 2 misdemeanor, a defendant
or person other than a professional bonding agent shall execute a waiver that states the person
understands that the bond or fees shall be forfeited if the defendant is removed from the country.
(b) Except as provided in paragraph (a) of this subsection (1), a defendant or person other
than a professional bonding agent who posts bond on a felony or a class 1 or class 2 misdemeanor,
either pre-trial or post-conviction, for a defendant who is determined to be illegally present in the
country shall not be entitled to recover the posted bond or fees if the defendant is removed from the
country, and the bond or fees shall be forfeited.
(c) If it is determined that a defendant is illegally present in the country after an appearance
bond is posted on a felony or a class 1 or class 2 misdemeanor, the jail or court shall return all
documents concerning the defendant that are signed by the bail bonding agent to the agent, and the
agent shall return any premium, commission, or fee, not including premium financing fees, bond
filing fees charged by a court or law enforcement agency, and the actual cost of storing collateral in
a secure, self-service public storage facility, to the court for forfeiture under subsection (2) of this
section.
(2) Fifty percent of the amount of bonds and fees forfeited pursuant to subsection (1) of this
section shall be credited to the capital construction fund created in section 24-75-302, C.R.S., for
appropriation to the corrections expansion reserve fund created in section 17-1-116, C.R.S., for the
PART 6
16-3-601. Recording custodial interrogations - definitions. (1) On and after July 1, 2017,
except as provided for in subsection (2) of this section, when a peace officer reasonably believes he
or she is investigating a class 1 or class 2 felony or a felony sexual assault described in section 18-3-
402, 18-3-404, 18-3-405, or 18-3-405.5, C.R.S., the peace officer shall electronically record a
custodial interrogation occurring in a permanent detention facility of any person suspected of such
an offense.
(2) Subsection (1) of this section does not apply if:
(a) The defendant requests the interrogation not be recorded, as long as this request is
preserved by electronic recording or in writing;
(b) The recording equipment fails;
(c) Recording equipment is unavailable, either through damage or extraordinary
circumstances;
(d) Exigent circumstances relating to public safety prevent the preservation by electronic
recording; or
(e) The interrogation is conducted outside the state of Colorado.
(3) Nothing in this section prevents a court from admitting a statement made in a custodial
interrogation in a permanent detention facility as rebuttal or impeachment testimony of the
defendant.
ARTICLE 4
PART 1
RELEASE ON BAIL
16-4-101. Bailable offenses - definitions. (1) All persons shall be bailable by sufficient
16-4-102. Right to bail - before conviction. Any person who is in custody, and for whom
the court has not set bond and conditions of release pursuant to the applicable rule of criminal
procedure, and who is not subject to the provisions of section 16-4-101 (5), has the right to a hearing
to determine bond and conditions of release. A person in custody may also request a hearing so that
bond and conditions of release can be set. Upon receiving the request, the judge shall notify the
district attorney immediately of the arrested person's request, and the district attorney shall have the
right to attend and advise the court of matters pertinent to the type of bond and conditions of release
to be set. The judge shall also order the appropriate law enforcement agency having custody of the
prisoner to bring him or her before the court forthwith, and the judge shall set bond and conditions
of release if the offense for which the person was arrested is bailable. It shall not be a prerequisite
to bail that a criminal charge of any kind has been filed.
16-4-103. Setting and selection type of bond - criteria. (1) At the first appearance of a
person in custody before any court or any person designated by the court to set bond, the court or
person shall determine the type of bond and conditions of release unless the person is subject to the
provisions of section 16-4-101.
(2) If an indictment, information, or complaint has been filed and the type of bond and
conditions of release have been fixed upon return of the indictment or filing of the information or
complaint, the court shall review the propriety of the type of bond and conditions of release upon
first appearance of a person in custody.
(3) (a) The type of bond and conditions of release shall be sufficient to reasonably ensure
the appearance of the person as required and to protect the safety of any person or the community,
taking into consideration the individual characteristics of each person in custody, including the
person's financial condition.
(b) In determining the type of bond and conditions of release, if practicable and available in
the jurisdiction, the court shall use an empirically developed risk assessment instrument designed
to improve pretrial release decisions by providing to the court information that classifies a person
in custody based upon predicted level of risk of pretrial failure.
(4) When the type of bond and conditions of release are determined by the court, the court
shall:
(a) Presume that all persons in custody are eligible for release on bond with the appropriate
and least-restrictive conditions consistent with provisions in paragraph (a) of subsection (3) of this
section unless a person is otherwise ineligible for release pursuant to the provisions of section 16-4-
101 and section 19 of article II of the Colorado constitution. A monetary condition of release must
(g) The prior criminal record, if any, of the person in custody and any prior failures to appear
for court;
(h) Any facts indicating the possibility of violations of the law if the person in custody is
released without certain conditions of release;
(i) Any facts indicating that the defendant is likely to intimidate or harass possible witnesses;
and
(j) Any other facts tending to indicate that the person in custody has strong ties to the
community and is not likely to flee the jurisdiction.
(6) When a person is charged with an offense punishable by fine only, any monetary
condition of release shall not exceed the amount of the maximum fine penalty.
16-4-104. Types of bond set by the court. (1) The court shall determine, after
consideration of all relevant criteria, which of the following types of bond is appropriate for the
pretrial release of a person in custody, subject to the relevant statutory conditions of release listed
in section 16-4-105. The person may be released upon execution of:
(a) An unsecured personal recognizance bond in an amount specified by the court. The court
may require additional obligors on the bond as a condition of the bond.
(b) An unsecured personal recognizance bond with additional nonmonetary conditions of
release designed specifically to reasonably ensure the appearance of the person in court and the
safety of any person or persons or the community;
(c) A bond with secured monetary conditions when reasonable and necessary to ensure the
appearance of the person in court or the safety of any person or persons or the community. The
financial conditions shall state an amount of money that the person must post with the court in order
for the person to be released. The person may be released from custody upon execution of bond in
the full amount of money to be secured by any one of the following methods, as selected by the
16-4-105. Conditions of release on bond. (1) For each bond, the court shall require that
the released person appear to answer the charge against the person at a place and upon a date certain
and at any place or upon any date to which the proceeding is transferred or continued. This condition
is the only condition for which a breach of surety or security on the bail bond may be subject to
forfeiture.
(2) For a person who has been arrested for a felony offense, the court shall require as a
condition of a bond that the person execute a waiver of extradition stating the person consents to
extradition to this state and waives all formal procedures incidental to extradition proceedings in the
event that he or she is arrested in another state while at liberty on such bail bond and acknowledging
that he or she shall not be admitted to bail in any other state pending extradition to this state.
(3) Additional conditions of every bond is that the released person shall not commit any
felony while free on such a bail bond, and the court in which the action is pending has the power to
revoke the release of the person, to change any bond condition, including the amount of any
monetary condition if it is shown that a competent court has found probable cause to believe that the
defendant has committed a felony while released, pending the resolution of a prior felony charge.
(4) An additional condition of every bond in cases involving domestic violence as defined
in section 18-6-800.3 (1), C.R.S., in cases of stalking under section 18-3-602, C.R.S., or in cases
involving unlawful sexual behavior as defined in section 16-22-102 (9), is that the released person
acknowledge the protection order as provided in section 18-1-1001 (5), C.R.S.
(5) An additional condition of every bond in a case of an offense under section 42-2-138 (1)
(d) (I), C.R.S., of driving while such person's driver's license or privilege to drive, either as a resident
or nonresident, is restrained solely or partially because of a conviction of a driving offense pursuant
to section 42-4-1301 (1) or (2) (a), C.R.S., is that such person not drive any motor vehicle during the
period of such driving restraint.
(6) (a) If a person is arrested for driving under the influence or driving while ability
impaired, pursuant to section 42-4-1301, C.R.S., and the person has one or more previous
convictions for an offense in section 42-4-1301, C.R.S., or one or more convictions in any other
jurisdiction that would constitute a violation of section 42-4-1301, C.R.S., as a condition of any
bond, the court shall order that the person abstain from the use of alcohol or illegal drugs, and such
abstinence shall be monitored.
(b) A person seeking relief from any of the conditions imposed pursuant to paragraph (a) of
this subsection (6) shall file a motion with the court, and the court shall conduct a hearing upon the
16-4-106. Pretrial services programs. (1) The chief judge of any judicial district may order
a person who is eligible for bond or other pretrial release to be evaluated by a pretrial services
program established pursuant to this section, which program may advise the court if the person is
bond eligible, may provide information that enables the court to make an appropriate decision on
bond and conditions of release, and may recommend conditions of release consistent with this
section. The chief judge may make such order in any or all of the counties of the chief judge's
judicial district.
(2) The chief judge of any judicial district shall endeavor to consult, on an annual basis, with
the county or counties within the judicial district in an effort to support and encourage the
development by the county or counties, to the extent practicable and within available resources, of
pretrial services programs that support the work of the court and evidence-based decision-making
in determining the type of bond and conditions of release.
(3) To reduce barriers to the pretrial release of persons in custody whose release on bond
with appropriate conditions reasonably assures court appearance and public safety, all counties and
cities and counties are encouraged to develop a pretrial services program in consultation with the
16-4-108. When original bond continued. Once a bond has been executed and the person
released from custody thereon, whether a charge is then pending or is thereafter filed or transferred
to a court of competent jurisdiction, the original bond shall continue in effect until final disposition
of the case in the trial court. If a charge filed in the county court is dismissed and the district attorney
16-4-110. Exoneration from bond liability. (1) Any person executing a bail bond as
principal or as surety shall be exonerated as follows:
(a) When the condition of the bond has been satisfied; or
(b) When the amount of the forfeiture has been paid; or
(c) (I) When the surety appears and provides satisfactory evidence to the court that the
defendant is unable to appear before the court due to such defendant's death or the detention or
incarceration of such defendant in a foreign jurisdiction if the defendant is incarcerated for a period
in excess of ninety-one days and the state of Colorado has refused to extradite such defendant; except
that, if the state extradites such defendant, all costs associated with such extradition shall be borne
16-4-112. Enforcement when forfeiture not set aside. By entering into a bond, each
obligor, whether he or she is the principal or a surety, submits to the jurisdiction of the court. His or
her liability under the bond may be enforced, without the necessity of an independent action, as
follows: The court shall order the issuance of a citation directed to the obligor to show cause, if any
there be, why judgment should not be entered against him or her forthwith and execution issue
thereon. Said citation may be served personally or by certified mail upon the obligor directed to the
address given in the bond. Hearing on the citation shall be held not less than twenty-one days after
service. The defendant's attorney and the prosecuting attorney shall be given notice of the hearing.
At the conclusion of the hearing, the court may enter a judgment for the state and against the obligor,
and execution shall issue thereon as on other judgments. The district attorney shall have execution
issued forthwith upon the judgment and deliver it to the sheriff to be executed by levy upon the
stocks, bond, or real estate which has been accepted as security for the bond.
16-4-113. Type of bond in certain misdemeanor cases. (1) In exercising the discretion
mentioned in section 16-4-104, the judge shall release the accused person upon personal
recognizance if the charge is a class 3 misdemeanor or a petty offense, or any unclassified offense
for a violation of which the maximum penalty does not exceed six months' imprisonment, and he or
she shall not be required to supply a surety bond, or give security of any kind for his or her
appearance for trial other than his or her personal recognizance, unless one or more of the following
facts are found to be present:
(a) The arrested person fails to sufficiently identify himself or herself; or
(b) The arrested person refuses to sign a personal recognizance; or
(c) The continued detention or posting of a surety bond is necessary to prevent imminent
bodily harm to the accused or to another; or
(d) The arrested person has no ties to the jurisdiction of the court reasonably sufficient to
assure his or her appearance, and there is substantial likelihood that he or she will fail to appear for
trial if released upon his or her personal recognizance; or
(e) The arrested person has previously failed to appear for trial for an offense concerning
which he or she had given his written promise to appear; or
(f) There is outstanding a warrant for his or her arrest on any other charge or there are
pending proceedings against him or her for suspension or revocation of parole or probation.
16-4-114. Enforcement procedures for compensated sureties - definitions. (1) (a) The
general assembly hereby finds, determines, and declares that the simplicity, effectiveness, and
uniformity of bail forfeiture procedures applicable to compensated sureties who are subject to the
regulatory authority of the Colorado division of insurance are matters of statewide concern.
(b) It is the intent of the general assembly in adopting this section to:
16-4-115. Severability. If any provision of this part 1 or the application thereof to any
person or circumstance is held invalid, such invalidity does not affect other provisions or
applications of this part 1 that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and
to this end the provisions of this part 1 are declared to be severable.
PART 2
16-4-201. Bail after conviction. (1) (a) After conviction, either before or after sentencing,
the defendant may orally, or in writing, move for release on bail pending determination of a motion
for a new trial or motion in arrest of judgment or during any stay of execution or pending review by
an appellate court, and, except in cases where the defendant has been convicted of a capital offense,
the trial court, in its discretion, may continue the bond given for pretrial release, or may release the
defendant on bond with additional conditions including monetary conditions, or require bond under
one or more of the alternatives set forth in section 16-4-104.
(b) The district attorney must be present at the time the court passes on a defendant's motion
for release on bail after conviction.
(c) Bond shall not be continued in effect following a plea of guilty or of nolo contendere or
following conviction unless the written consents of the sureties, if any, are filed with the court. In
the initial bond documents filed with the court, a surety shall indicate, in writing and at the time of
the posting of bond, if the surety consents to the continuance of the bond through sentencing of the
defendant. If the surety does not provide written consent at the time of the initial posting of bond,
the surety may provide written consent at the time of the plea of guilty or nolo contendere or within
a reasonable time thereafter as determined by the court. A court shall not require the posting of any
form of bond that allows for the continuance of said bond after a plea of guilty or of nolo contendere
or following conviction without filing with the court the written consents of the sureties, if any.
(d) For a defendant who has been convicted of a felony offense, a condition of bail bond
shall be that the court shall require the defendant to execute or subscribe a written prior waiver of
extradition stating that the defendant consents to extradition to this state and waives all formal
procedures incidental to extradition proceedings in the event that he or she is arrested in another state
while released on such bail bond and acknowledging that he or she shall not be admitted to bail in
any other state pending extradition to this state.
(2) After conviction, a defendant who is granted probation pursuant to section 18-1.3-202,
C.R.S., may orally, or in writing, move for a stay of probation pending determination of a motion
16-4-201.5. Right to bail after a conviction - exceptions. (1) The court may grant bail after
a person is convicted, pending sentencing or appeal, only as provided by this part 2; except that no
bail is allowed for persons convicted of:
(a) Murder;
(b) Any felony sexual assault involving the use of a deadly weapon;
(c) Any felony sexual assault committed against a child who is under fifteen years of age;
(d) A crime of violence, as defined in section 18-1.3-406, C.R.S.;
(e) Any felony during the commission of which the person used a firearm;
(f) A crime of possession of a weapon by a previous offender, as described in section 18-12-
108 (2) (b), (2) (c), (4) (b), (4) (c), or (5), C.R.S.; or
(g) Child abuse, as described in section 18-6-401 (7) (a) (I), C.R.S.
(2) The court shall not set bail that is otherwise allowed pursuant to subsection (1) of this
section unless the court finds that:
(a) The person is unlikely to flee and does not pose a danger to the safety of any person or
the community; and
(b) The appeal is not frivolous or is not pursued for the purpose of delay.
(3) The provisions of this section shall apply to offenses committed on or after January 1,
1995.
16-4-202. Appeal bond hearing - factors to be considered. (1) The court shall consider
the following factors in deciding whether or not an appeal bond should be granted and determining
the type of bond and conditions of release required:
(a) The nature and circumstances of the offense before the court and the sentence imposed
for that offense;
(b) The defendant's length of residence in the community;
(c) The defendant's employment, family ties, character, reputation, and mental condition;
(d) The defendant's past criminal record and record of appearance at court proceedings;
(e) Any showing of intimidation or harassment of witnesses or potential witnesses, or
likelihood that the defendant will harm or threaten any person having a part in the trial resulting in
conviction;
(f) Any other criminal charges pending against the defendant and the potential sentences
should the defendant be convicted of those charges;
(g) The circumstances of, and sentences imposed in, any criminal case in which the
defendant has been convicted but execution stayed pending appeal;
(h) The likelihood that the defendant will commit additional criminal offenses during the
pendency of such defendant's appeal; and
16-4-203. Appeal bond hearing - order. (1) After considering the factors set forth in
section 16-4-202, the court may enter one of the following orders:
(a) Deny the defendant appeal bond; or
(b) Repealed.
(c) Grant the defendant appeal bond.
(2) If the court determines that an appeal bond should be granted, the court shall set the
amount of bail and order either:
(a) An appeal bond in the amount of the bail to be executed and secured by depositing cash
or property as provided by statute or by an approved surety or sureties; or
(b) An appeal bond in the amount of the bail to be executed on the personal recognizance
of the defendant.
(2.5) If the court determines that an appeal bond should be granted, the court shall provide
as an explicit condition of the appeal bond that the defendant not harass, molest, intimidate, retaliate
against, or tamper with the victim of or any prosecution witnesses to the crime, unless the court
makes written findings that such condition is not necessary.
(3) In addition to the above, the court may:
(a) Place the defendant in the custody of the probation department or a designated person
who agrees to supervise him;
(b) Place restrictions on the travel, activities, associations, or place of abode of the defendant
during the pendency of the appeal;
(c) Impose any other condition deemed necessary to assure defendant's appearance as
required.
(4) Upon written motion of the state or the defendant, the sentencing court may increase or
reduce the amount of appeal bond, alter the security for or conditions of the appeal bond, or revoke
the appeal bond. Notice of hearing on the motion shall be given in the manner provided in section
16-4-107.
(5) If the defendant has been charged with committing another felony, level 1 drug
misdemeanor, or class 1 misdemeanor while he or she is at liberty on an appeal bond, and probable
cause has been found with respect to such other felony, level 1 drug misdemeanor, or class 1
misdemeanor or the defendant has waived his or her right to a probable cause determination as to
the felony, level 1 drug misdemeanor, or class 1 misdemeanor, the court shall revoke his or her
appeal bond on motion of the attorney general or district attorney.
16-4-204. Appellate review of terms and conditions of bail or appeal bond. (1) After
entry of an order pursuant to section 16-4-109 or 16-4-201, the defendant or the state may seek
review of said order by filing a petition for review in the appellate court. If an order has been entered
pursuant to section 16-4-104, 16-4-109, or 16-4-201, the petition shall be the exclusive method of
appellate review.
(2) The petition shall be in writing, shall be served as provided by court rule for service of
16-4-205. When appellate court may fix appeal bond. If a trial court fails or refuses to
grant or deny an appeal bond within forty-eight hours following application for such bond, the
defendant may move the appellate court for such an order, and that court shall promptly hear and rule
upon the motion.
PART 3
16-4-301. Short title. This part 3 shall be known and may be cited as the "Uniform
Rendition of Accused Persons Act", and shall be so construed as to effectuate its general purpose
to make uniform the law of those states which enact it.
16-4-302. Arrest of person illegally in state. (1) If a person who has been charged with
crime in another state and released from custody prior to final judgment, including the final
disposition of any appeal, is alleged to have violated the terms and conditions of his release, and is
present in this state, a designated agent of the court, judge, or magistrate who authorized the release
may request the issuance of a warrant for the arrest of the person and an order authorizing his return
to the demanding court, judge, or magistrate. Before the warrant is issued, the designated agent shall
file with the judge of a court of record of this state the following documents:
(a) An affidavit stating the name and whereabouts of the person whose return is sought, the
crime with which the person was charged, the time and place of the crime charged, and the status of
the proceedings against him; and
(b) A certified copy of the order or other document specifying the terms and conditions under
which the person was released from custody; and
(c) A certified copy of an order of the demanding judge, court, or magistrate stating the
manner in which the terms and conditions of the release have been violated and designating the
16-4-303. Hearing and right to counsel. (1) The person whose return is sought shall be
brought before the judge of this state immediately upon arrest pursuant to the warrant; whereupon
the judge shall set a time and place for hearing and shall advise the person of his right to have the
assistance of counsel, to confront the witnesses against him, and to produce evidence in his own
behalf at the hearing.
(2) The person whose return is sought may at this time in writing waive the hearing and
agree to be returned to the demanding court, judge, or magistrate. If a waiver is executed, the judge
shall issue an order pursuant to section 16-4-304.
(3) The judge may impose conditions of release authorized by the laws of this state which
will reasonably assure the appearance at the hearing of the person whose return is sought.
16-4-304. Order of return to demanding court. The district attorney shall appear at the
hearing and report to the judge the results of his investigation. If the judge finds that the affiant is
a designated agent of the demanding court, judge, or magistrate, and that the person whose return
is sought was released from custody by the demanding court, judge, or magistrate, and that the
person has violated the terms or conditions of his release, the judge shall issue an order authorizing
the return of the person to the custody of the demanding court, judge, or magistrate forthwith.
ARTICLE 5
PART 1
GENERAL PROVISIONS
16-5-102. Summons to corporate defendant. (1) When a corporation is charged with the
commission of an offense, the court shall issue a summons setting forth the nature of the offense and
commanding the corporation to appear before the court at a certain time and place.
(2) The summons for the appearance of a corporation may be served by a peace officer in
the manner provided for service of summons upon a corporation in a civil action.
16-5-103. Identity theft victims - definitions. (1) A person whose identifying information
has been mistakenly associated with an arrest, summons, summons and complaint, felony complaint,
information, indictment, or conviction is a victim of identity theft for the purposes of this section.
A victim of identify theft may proceed either through the judicial process in subsection (2) of this
section or the Colorado bureau of investigation process in subsection (3) of this section.
(2) (a) If a criminal charge is not pending, a victim of identity theft may, with notice to the
prosecutor, petition the court with jurisdiction over the arrest, summons, summons and complaint,
felony complaint, information, indictment, or conviction to judicially determine the person's factual
innocence. Alternatively, the court, on its own motion, may make such a determination in the case.
If a criminal charge is pending, the prosecuting attorney may request the court to make such a
determination. A judicial determination of factual innocence made pursuant to this section may be
determined, with or without a hearing, upon declarations, affidavits, or police reports or upon any
other relevant, material, reliable information submitted by the parties and records of the court.
(b) If the court determines that there is no reasonable cause to believe that a victim of
PART 2
STATE OF COLORADO )
) ss.
County of.................................................)
Of the ........ term of the ........ court, in the year ........ . The grand jurors chosen, selected, and
sworn, in and for the county of .........., in the name and by the authority of the people of the state of
Colorado, upon their oaths, present. (Here insert the offense, the name of the person charged, and
the time and place of committing the same, with reasonable certainty.) Every indictment shall be
signed by the foreman of the grand jury returning it and by the prosecuting attorney, his or her
assistant, or his or her deputy.
(a) That it is presented by the person authorized by law to prosecute the offense;
(b) That the defendant is identified therein, either by name or by the defendant's patterned
chemical structure of genetic information, or described as a person whose name is unknown to the
informant;
(c) That the offense was committed within the jurisdiction of the court or is triable therein;
(d) That the offense charged is set forth with such degree of certainty that the court may
pronounce judgment upon a conviction.
(2) The information may be in the following form:
STATE OF COLORADO )
) ss.
County of.................................................)
In the ........ Court ........ The People of the State of Colorado, against ........ A ........ B ........
C ........ D ........, district attorney within and for the .......... judicial district of the state of Colorado,
in the county of .......... in the state aforesaid, in the name and by the authority of the people of the
state of Colorado, informs the court that A ........ B ........ on the ........ day of ......... A.D. 20 ...., at the
said county of .........., did (here state the offense) against the peace and dignity of the people of the
state of Colorado.
C .............................................
D ............................................
District Attorney.
(3) An information may be filed using the language of the statute defining the offense,
including either conjunctive or disjunctive clauses. Pleading in either the conjunctive or the
disjunctive shall place a defendant on notice that the prosecution may rely on any or all of the
alternatives alleged.
(4) A court shall not refuse to accept a complaint or information that contains the
requirements of this section.
16-5-204. Witnesses before a grand jury - procedure. (1) (a) Whenever a witness in any
proceeding before any grand jury refuses, without just cause shown, to comply with an order of the
court to testify or provide other information, including any book, paper, document, record, recording,
or other material, the prosecuting attorney may submit an application to the court for an order
directing the witness to show why the witness should not be held in contempt. After submission of
such application and a hearing at which the witness may be represented by counsel, the court may,
if the court finds that such refusal was without just cause, hold the witness in contempt and order the
witness to be confined. Such confinement shall continue until such time as the witness is willing to
give such testimony or provide such information; however, the court may release the witness from
confinement if the court determines that further confinement will not cause the witness to give such
testimony or provide such information. No period of such confinement shall exceed the term of the
grand jury, including extensions, before which such refusal to comply with the court order occurred,
and in no event shall such confinement exceed six months.
(b) If a witness has been confined in accordance with paragraph (a) of this subsection (1),
he or she may, upon petition filed with the court, request a hearing to be held within fourteen days
to review the contempt order at which hearing he or she shall have the right to be represented by
counsel. The court, at the hearing, may rescind, modify, or affirm the order.
(c) In any proceeding conducted under this section, counsel may be appointed for a person
financially unable to obtain adequate assistance.
(1.5) (a) Upon verified application of the prosecuting attorney stating that a witness was
lawfully served with a subpoena to appear and testify before the grand jury and that the witness failed
to appear in accordance with such subpoena, the court shall issue a warrant commanding any peace
officer to bring the witness without unnecessary delay before the court for a hearing on the matters
set forth in the application and to determine whether the witness should be held in contempt pursuant
to subsection (1) of this section.
(2) No person who has been imprisoned or fined by a court for refusal to testify or provide
other information concerning any criminal incident or incidents in any proceeding before a grand jury
impaneled before any district court shall again be imprisoned or fined for a subsequent refusal to
testify or provide other information concerning the same criminal incident or incidents before any
grand jury.
(3) Upon impanelment of each grand jury, the court shall give to such grand jury adequate
and reasonable written notice of and shall assure that the grand jury reasonably understands the
nature of:
(a) Its duty to inquire into offenses against the criminal laws of the state of Colorado alleged
to have been committed;
(b) Its right to call and interrogate witnesses;
(c) Its right to request the production of documents or other evidence;
(d) The subject matter of the investigation and the criminal statutes or other statutes
involved, if these are known at the time the grand jury is impaneled;
(e) The duty of the grand jury by an affirmative vote of nine or more members of the grand
jury to determine, based on the evidence presented before it, whether or not there is probable cause
for finding indictments and to determine the violations to be included in any such indictments; and
(f) The requirement that the grand jury may not find an indictment in cases of perjury unless
at least two witnesses to the same fact present evidence establishing probable cause to find such an
indictment.
(4) (a) At the option of the prosecuting attorney, a grand jury subpoena may contain an
advisement of rights. If the prosecuting attorney determines that an advisement is necessary, the
grand jury subpoena shall contain the following advisement prominently displayed on the front of
the subpoena:
NOTICE
(I) You have the right to retain an attorney to represent you and to advise you
regarding your grand jury appearance.
(II) Anything you say to the grand jury may be used against you in a court of law.
(III) You have the right to refuse to answer questions if you feel the answers would
tend to incriminate you or to implicate you in any illegal activity.
(IV) If you cannot afford or obtain an attorney, you may request the court to appoint
an attorney to consult with or represent you.
(b) Any witness who is not advised of his rights pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subsection
(4) shall not be prosecuted or subjected to any penalty or forfeiture for or on account of any
transaction, matter, or thing concerning which he testifies or any evidence he produces, nor shall any
such testimony or evidence be used as evidence in any criminal proceeding, except for perjury,
against him in any court.
16-5-205.5. Grand jury reports. (1) In any case in which a grand jury does not return an
indictment, the grand jury may prepare or ask to be prepared a report of its findings if the grand jury
determines that preparation and release of a report would be in the public interest, as described in
subsection (5) of this section. The determination to prepare and release a report pursuant to this
section must be made by an affirmative vote of at least the number of jurors that would have been
required to return an indictment. The report shall be accompanied by certification that the grand jury
has determined that release of the report is in the public interest, as described in subsection (5) of
this section.
(2) The provisions of this section shall not apply in any instance in which the prosecuting
attorney chooses to file charges against the person or business that was the subject of the grand jury
investigation.
(3) Within fourteen days after receiving a report of the grand jury prepared pursuant to
subsection (1) of this section, the prosecuting attorney shall notify in writing all persons and
businesses named in the grand jury report to give such persons and businesses an opportunity to
review the grand jury report and prepare a response to be submitted to the court with the grand jury
report. Such notice shall be by personal service or by certified mail return receipt requested. Any
responses shall be submitted to the prosecuting attorney within fourteen days after notification.
(4) Upon completion of the time for submitting responses, the prosecuting attorney shall
submit the grand jury report to the court, together with the certification of public interest and any
responses that may have been submitted. The court shall examine the report and make an order
accepting and filing the report, including the certification and any responses that the respondent, by
written notice to the prosecuting attorney and the court, has agreed to release, as a public record only
if the court is satisfied that:
(a) The grand jury and the prosecuting attorney were acting within the statutory jurisdiction
of such persons in convening the grand jury; and
(b) The grand jury foreman and the prosecuting attorney have verified on the record that:
(I) The certification of public interest by the grand jury complies with the provisions of
subsection (5) of this section; and
(II) The report is based on facts revealed in the course of the grand jury investigation and is
supported by a preponderance of the evidence; and
(III) The report does not contain material the sole effect of which is to ridicule or abuse a
person or business or to subject such person or business to public disgrace or embarrassment; and
(IV) The report does not contain material that is personal in nature that does not relate to any
lawful inquiry; and
(V) No confidentiality agreement will be violated and the identity of no confidential
informant will be disclosed in making such grand jury report public; and
16-5-206. Summons in lieu of warrant. (1) Except in class 1, class 2, and class 3 felonies,
level 1 and level 2 drug felonies, and in unclassified felonies punishable by a maximum penalty of
more than ten years, if an indictment is returned or an information, felony complaint, or complaint
has been filed prior to the arrest of the person named as defendant therein, the court has power to
issue a summons commanding the appearance of the defendant in lieu of a warrant for his or her
arrest unless a law enforcement officer presents in writing a basis to believe there is a significant risk
of flight or that the victim or public safety may be compromised.
(1.5) (a) Except in class 1, class 2, class 3, and class 4 felonies; in crimes described in
section 24-4.1-302 (1), C.R.S.; and in unclassified felonies punishable by a maximum penalty of
more than ten years, a law enforcement officer may issue a summons commanding the appearance
of the defendant in lieu of a warrant for his or her arrest based on probable cause if:
(I) The local district attorney consents to such procedure and has developed and approved
criteria for the issuance of such a summons pursuant to this subsection (1.5);
(II) There is a reasonable likelihood that the defendant will appear;
(III) The defendant has had no felony arrests during the preceding five years;
(IV) There is no allegation that the defendant used a deadly weapon as defined in section 18-
1-901 (3) (e), C.R.S., in the commission of the crime; and
(V) There are no outstanding warrants for the defendant's arrest.
(b) No later than ten days after a law enforcement officer issues a summons pursuant to this
subsection (1.5), he or she shall deliver a copy to the court and to the office of the district attorney
where jurisdiction lies.
(c) When the procedure described in this subsection (1.5) is used, an information or
complaint may be filed in open court on the date specified in the summons.
(2) If a summons is issued in lieu of a warrant under this section:
(a) It shall be in writing.
(b) It shall state the name of the person summoned and his address.
(c) It shall identify the nature of the offense.
(d) It shall state the date when issued and the county where issued.
(e) It shall be signed by the judge or clerk of the court with the title of his office or by the
law enforcement officer who issued the summons.
16-5-208. Information not filed - reasons. In all cases where on preliminary hearing in
the county court concerning the commission of a felony the accused is bound over and is committed
to jail, or recognized and held to bail, it is the duty of the district attorney to file an information in
the district court. If the district attorney determines in any such case that an information ought not
to be filed, he or she shall file with the clerk of the district court having jurisdiction of the supposed
offense a written statement containing his or her reasons, in fact and in law, for not filing an
information in the case, and such statement shall be filed within sixty-three days following the date
upon which the offender was held for appearance.
16-5-209. Judge may require prosecution. The judge of a court having jurisdiction of the
alleged offense, upon affidavit filed with the judge alleging the commission of a crime and the
PART 3
PRELIMINARY HEARING
16-5-301. Preliminary hearing or waiver - dispositional hearing. (1) (a) Every person
accused of a class 1, 2, or 3 felony or level 1 or level 2 drug felony by direct information or felony
complaint has the right to demand and receive a preliminary hearing within a reasonable time to
determine whether probable cause exists to believe that the offense charged in the information or
felony complaint was committed by the defendant. In addition, only those persons accused of a class
4, 5, or 6 felony by direct information or felony complaint which felony requires mandatory
sentencing or is a crime of violence as defined in section 18-1.3-406, C.R.S., or is a sexual offense
under part 4 of article 3 of title 18, C.R.S., shall have the right to demand and receive a preliminary
hearing within a reasonable time to determine whether probable cause exists to believe that the
offense charged in the information or felony complaint was committed by the defendant. The
procedure to be followed in asserting the right to a preliminary hearing and the time within which
demand therefor must be made, as well as the time within which the hearing, if demanded, shall be
had, shall be as provided by applicable rule of the supreme court of Colorado. A failure to observe
and substantially comply with such rule shall be deemed a waiver of this right to a preliminary
hearing.
(b) (I) No person accused of a class 4, 5, or 6 felony or level 3 or level 4 drug felony by
direct information or felony complaint, except those which require mandatory sentencing or which
are crimes of violence as defined in section 18-1.3-406, C.R.S., or which are sexual offenses under
part 4 of article 3 of title 18, C.R.S., shall have the right to demand or receive a preliminary hearing;
except that such person shall participate in a dispositional hearing for the purposes of case evaluation
and potential resolution.
(II) Any defendant accused of a class 4, 5, or 6 felony or level 3 or level 4 drug felony who
is not otherwise entitled to a preliminary hearing pursuant to subparagraph (I) of this paragraph (b),
may demand and shall receive a preliminary hearing within a reasonable time pursuant to paragraph
(a) of this subsection (1), if the defendant is in custody for the offense for which the preliminary
PART 4
STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS
(4.5) The period within which a prosecution must be commenced begins to run upon
discovery of the criminal act or the delinquent act for:
(a) Offenses relating to the "Uniform Commercial Code", pursuant to part 5 of article 5 of
title 18, C.R.S.;
(b) Computer crime, pursuant to article 5.5 of title 18, C.R.S.;
(c) Theft, pursuant to section 18-4-401, C.R.S.;
(d) Theft of trade secrets, pursuant to section 18-4-408, C.R.S.;
(e) Defacing or destruction of written instruments, pursuant to section 18-4-507, C.R.S.;
(f) Criminal simulation, pursuant to section 18-5-110, C.R.S.;
(g) Obtaining signature by deception, pursuant to section 18-5-112, C.R.S.;
(h) Criminal impersonation, pursuant to section 18-5-113, C.R.S.;
(i) Offering a false instrument for recording, pursuant to section 18-5-114, C.R.S.;
16-5-401.1. Legislative intent in enacting section 16-5-401 (6) and (7). (1) The intent of
the general assembly in enacting section 16-5-401 (6) and (7) in 1982 was to create a ten-year statute
of limitations as to offenses and delinquent acts specified in said subsections committed on or after
July 1, 1979.
(2) (Deleted by amendment, L. 94, p. 1050, § 4, effective July 1, 1994.)
16-5-402. Limitation for collateral attack upon trial judgment. (1) Except as otherwise
provided in subsection (2) of this section, no person who has been convicted as an adult or who has
been adjudicated as a juvenile under a criminal statute of this or any other state of the United States
shall collaterally attack the validity of that conviction or adjudication unless such attack is
commenced within the applicable time period, as provided in this subsection (1), following the date
of said conviction, or for purposes of juvenile adjudication the applicable time period will begin at
the time of the juvenile's eighteenth birthday:
(1.5) If an appellate court can determine on the face of the motion, files, and record in a case
that a collateral attack is outside the time limits specified in subsection (1) of this section, the
appellate court may deny relief on that basis, regardless of whether the issue of timeliness was raised
in the trial court.
(2) In recognition of the difficulties attending the litigation of stale claims and the potential
for frustrating various statutory provisions directed at repeat offenders, former offenders, and
habitual offenders, the only exceptions to the time limitations specified in subsection (1) of this
PART 5
INCARCERATION
ARTICLE 6
PART 1
CHANGE OF VENUE
16-6-101. Grounds for change of venue. (1) The place of trial may be changed:
(a) When a fair trial cannot take place in the county or district in which the trial is pending;
or
(b) When a more expeditious trial may be had by a change in the place of trial from one
16-6-102. Motion for change of venue. (1) A motion for change of venue must be
accompanied by one or more affidavits setting forth the facts upon which the defendant relies or by
a stipulation of the parties.
(2) Whether circumstances exist requiring, in the interest of justice, a change in the place
of trial is a question to be determined by the court in its sound discretion.
16-6-103. Change of venue where offense committed in two or more counties. Where
a prosecution has been commenced in one county, the court, for good cause shown, may transfer the
proceeding to another county within the same judicial district if it is shown that the offense was
committed in more than one county within the same judicial district and if the court is satisfied that
the interests of justice would be served by transferring the action to the other county.
16-6-103.5. Plea of guilty to offenses committed in two or more counties. (1) Any person
charged with crimes in more than one county of this state may apply to the district attorney of one
of said counties to be charged with all crimes so that he may enter into a disposition and be
sentenced for them in that single county. The application shall contain a description of all charged
crimes and the name of the county in which each was committed.
(2) Upon receipt of the application, the district attorney shall prepare an information
charging all the charged crimes and naming in each count the county where each was committed. He
shall send a copy of the information to the district attorney of each other county in which the
defendant stands charged, together with a statement that the defendant has applied to enter into a
disposition in the county of application. Upon receipt of the information and statement, the district
attorney of the other county may execute a consent in writing allowing the defendant to enter a plea
of guilty in the county to which application has been made to the crime charged in the information
and committed in the other county and send it to the district attorney who prepared the information.
(3) If necessary, the district attorney shall amend the information so that it includes only the
offenses for which he has received written consent from the district attorney of other counties, and
he shall file the information in any court of his county having jurisdiction to try or accept a plea of
guilty to the most serious crime alleged therein. The defendant then may enter a plea of guilty to all
offenses alleged to have been committed in the county where the court is located and to all offenses
alleged to have been committed in other counties as to which consents have been executed pursuant
to subsection (2) of this section. Before entering his plea of guilty, the defendant shall waive in
writing any right to be tried in the county where the crime was committed. The district attorney of
the county where the crime was committed need not be present when the plea is made, but his
written consent shall be filed with the court.
PART 2
DISQUALIFICATION OF JUDGE
ARTICLE 7
PART 1
16-7-101. Separate trial of joint defendants. When two or more defendants are jointly
indicted or informed against for any offense and there is material evidence, not relating to reputation,
which is admissible against one or some of them but which is not admissible against all of them if
they are tried separately and which is prejudicial to those against whom it is not admissible, those
against whom such evidence is admissible shall be tried separately upon motion of any of those
against whom the evidence is not admissible. In all other cases, defendants jointly prosecuted shall
be tried separately or jointly in the discretion of the court.
PART 2
ARRAIGNMENT
16-7-201. Place of arraignment. The defendant shall be arraigned in the court having trial
jurisdiction in which the indictment, information, or complaint is filed, unless before arraignment
the cause has been removed to another court, in which case he shall be arraigned in that court.
16-7-206. Guilty pleas - procedure and effect. (1) Every person charged with an offense
shall be permitted to tender a plea of guilty to that offense if the following conditions have been
satisfied:
(a) The court shall have advised the defendant that if the plea is accepted the defendant shall
be determined to have waived his right to trial by jury on all issues including the determination of
the penalty to be assessed, and the court shall also have advised the defendant as to the maximum
and minimum penalties that the court may impose.
16-7-208. Failure or refusal to plead. If a defendant refuses to plead, or if the court refuses
to accept a plea of guilty or a plea of nolo contendere (no contest), or if a corporation fails to appear,
the court shall enter a plea of not guilty. If for any reason a plea has not been entered, the case shall
for all purposes be considered as one in which a plea of not guilty has been entered.
PART 3
16-7-301. Propriety of plea discussions and plea agreements. (1) Where it appears that
the effective administration of criminal justice will thereby be served, the district attorney may
engage in plea discussions for the purpose of reaching a plea agreement. The district attorney should
engage in plea discussions or reach plea agreements with the defendant only through or in the
presence of defense counsel except where the defendant is not eligible for appointment of counsel
because the defendant is not indigent or the charged offense does not include a possible sentence of
incarceration or because the defendant refuses appointment of counsel and has not retained counsel.
(2) The district attorney may agree to one or more of the following, depending upon the
circumstances of the individual case:
(a) To make or not to oppose favorable recommendations concerning the sentence to be
imposed if the defendant enters a plea of guilty or nolo contendere (no contest);
(b) To seek or not to oppose the dismissal of an offense charged if the defendant enters a
plea of guilty or nolo contendere (no contest) to another offense reasonably related to the defendant's
conduct;
(c) To seek or not to oppose the dismissal of other charges or not to prosecute other potential
charges against the defendant if the defendant enters a plea of guilty or nolo contendere (no contest);
(d) To consent to diversion, as provided in section 18-1.3-101, C.R.S.;
(e) To consent to deferred sentencing, as provided in section 18-1.3-102, C.R.S.
(3) Defendants whose situations are similar should be afforded similar opportunities for plea
agreement.
(4) Repealed.
(5) Any plea agreement in a case involving a plea to a violation of article 18 of title 18,
C.R.S., may not require a waiver by the defendant of the right to petition to have the defendant's
criminal conviction records sealed pursuant to part 3 of article 72 of title 24, C.R.S.
16-7-304. Charges for bad checks. The department or agency supervising the collection
of restitution agreed to as a condition of a plea agreement, including dismissal of a charge, may
assess a charge of fifteen dollars to a defendant for collection of each bad check or each bad check
received as a restitution payment. For the purposes of this section, "bad check" means a check or
similar sight order for the payment of money which is dishonored by the bank or other drawee
because the issuer does not have sufficient funds upon deposit with the bank or other drawee to pay
the check or order upon presentation within thirty days after issue.
PART 4
DEFERRED PROSECUTION
AND DEFERRED SENTENCING
16-7-404. Charges for bad checks. The department or agency supervising the collection
of restitution ordered as a condition of a deferred prosecution or deferred sentence pursuant to this
part 4 may assess a charge of fifteen dollars to a defendant for collection of each bad check or each
bad check received as a restitution payment. For the purposes of this section, "bad check" means a
check or similar sight order for the payment of money which is dishonored by the bank or other
drawee because the issuer does not have sufficient funds upon deposit with the bank or other drawee
to pay the check or order upon presentation within thirty days after issue.
ARTICLE 8
Insanity - Release
PART 1
GENERAL PROVISIONS
16-8-101. Insanity defined - offenses committed before July 1, 1995. (1) The applicable
test of insanity shall be, and the jury shall be so instructed: "A person who is so diseased or defective
in mind at the time of the commission of the act as to be incapable of distinguishing right from
wrong with respect to that act is not accountable. But care should be taken not to confuse such
mental disease or defect with moral obliquity, mental depravity, or passion growing out of anger,
revenge, hatred, or other motives, and kindred evil conditions, for when the act is induced by any of
these causes the person is accountable to the law.".
(2) The term "diseased or defective in mind", as used in subsection (1) of this section, does
not refer to an abnormality manifested only by repeated criminal or otherwise antisocial conduct.
16-8-101.5. Insanity defined - offenses committed on and after July 1, 1995. (1) The
applicable test of insanity shall be:
(a) A person who is so diseased or defective in mind at the time of the commission of the
act as to be incapable of distinguishing right from wrong with respect to that act is not accountable;
except that care should be taken not to confuse such mental disease or defect with moral obliquity,
mental depravity, or passion growing out of anger, revenge, hatred, or other motives and kindred evil
conditions, for, when the act is induced by any of these causes, the person is accountable to the law;
or
(b) A person who suffered from a condition of mind caused by mental disease or defect that
prevented the person from forming a culpable mental state that is an essential element of a crime
charged, but care should be taken not to confuse such mental disease or defect with moral obliquity,
mental depravity, or passion growing out of anger, revenge, hatred, or other motives and kindred evil
conditions because, when the act is induced by any of these causes, the person is accountable to the
law.
(2) As used in subsection (1) of this section:
(a) "Diseased or defective in mind" does not refer to an abnormality manifested only by
repeated criminal or otherwise antisocial conduct.
(b) "Mental disease or defect" includes only those severely abnormal mental conditions that
grossly and demonstrably impair a person's perception or understanding of reality and that are not
attributable to the voluntary ingestion of alcohol or any other psychoactive substance but does not
include an abnormality manifested only by repeated criminal or otherwise antisocial conduct.
(3) This section shall apply to offenses committed on or after July 1, 1995.
16-8-102. Other definitions. As used in this article, unless the context otherwise requires:
16-8-103. Pleading insanity as a defense. (1) (a) The defense of insanity may only be
raised by a specific plea entered at the time of arraignment; except that the court, for good cause
shown, may permit the plea to be entered at any time prior to trial. The form of the plea shall be:
"Not guilty by reason of insanity"; and it must be pleaded orally either by the defendant or by the
defendant's counsel. A defendant who does not raise the defense as provided in this section shall not
be permitted to rely upon insanity as a defense to the crime charged but, when charged with a crime
requiring a specific intent as an element thereof, may introduce evidence of the defendant's mental
condition as bearing upon his or her capacity to form the required specific intent. The plea of not
16-8-103.6. Waiver of privilege. (1) (a) A defendant who places his or her mental condition
at issue by pleading not guilty by reason of insanity pursuant to section 16-8-103, asserting the
affirmative defense of impaired mental condition pursuant to section 16-8-103.5, or disclosing
witnesses who may provide evidence concerning the defendant's mental condition during a
sentencing hearing held pursuant to section 18-1.3-1201 or 18-1.3-1302, C.R.S., waives any claim
of confidentiality or privilege as to communications made by the defendant to a physician or
psychologist in the course of an examination or treatment for such mental condition for the purpose
of any trial, hearing on the issue of such mental condition, or sentencing hearing conducted pursuant
to section 18-1.3-1201 or 18-1.3-1302, C.R.S. The court shall order both the prosecutor and the
defendant to exchange the names, addresses, reports, and statements of any physician or psychologist
who has examined or treated the defendant for such mental condition.
(b) This subsection (1) shall apply only to offenses committed before July 1, 1995.
(2) (a) A defendant who places his or her mental condition at issue by pleading not guilty
by reason of insanity pursuant to section 16-8-103 or disclosing witnesses who may provide evidence
concerning the defendant's mental condition during a sentencing hearing held pursuant to section 18-
1.3-1201 or 18-1.4-102, C.R.S., or, for offenses committed on or after July 1, 1999, by seeking to
introduce evidence concerning his or her mental condition pursuant to section 16-8-107 (3) waives
any claim of confidentiality or privilege as to communications made by the defendant to a physician
or psychologist in the course of an examination or treatment for such mental condition for the
(b) This subsection (2) shall apply to offenses committed on or after July 1, 1995.
(3) (a) When the defendant gives notice pursuant to section 16-8-107 (3) that he or she
intends to introduce evidence in the nature of expert opinion concerning his or her mental condition,
the court shall order an examination of the defendant pursuant to section 16-8-106.
(b) The provisions of this subsection (3) shall apply to offenses committed on or after July
1, 1999.
16-8-104. Separate trial of issues. The issues raised by the plea of not guilty by reason of
insanity shall be tried separately to different juries, and the sanity of the defendant shall be tried first.
This section shall apply only to offenses committed before July 1, 1995.
16-8-104.5. Single trial of issues. (1) The issues raised by the plea of not guilty by reason
of insanity shall be treated as an affirmative defense and shall be tried at the same proceeding and
before the same trier of fact as the charges to which not guilty by reason of insanity is offered as a
defense.
(2) This section shall apply to offenses committed on or after July 1, 1995.
16-8-105. Procedure after plea for offenses committed before July 1, 1995. (1) When
a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity is accepted, the court shall forthwith commit the defendant
for a sanity examination, specifying the place and period of commitment.
(2) Upon receiving the report of the sanity examination, the court shall immediately set the
case for trial to a jury on the issue raised by the plea of not guilty by reason of insanity. In all cases
16-8-106. Examinations and report. (1) [Editor's note: This version of subsection (1) is
effective until January 1, 2017.] All examinations ordered by the court in criminal cases shall be
accomplished by the entry of an order of the court specifying the place where such examination is
to be conducted and the period of time allocated for such examination. The defendant may be
committed for such examination to the Colorado psychiatric hospital in Denver, the Colorado mental
health institute at Pueblo, the place where he or she is in custody, or such other public institution
designated by the court. In determining the place where such examination is to be conducted, the
court shall give priority to the place where the defendant is in custody, unless the nature and
circumstances of the examination require designation of a different facility. The defendant shall be
observed and examined by one or more psychiatrists or forensic psychologists during such period
as the court directs. For good cause shown, upon motion of the prosecution or defendant, or upon
the court's own motion, the court may order such further or other examination as is advisable under
the circumstances. Nothing in this section shall abridge the right of the defendant to procure an
examination as provided in section 16-8-108.
(1) (a) [Editor's note: This version of subsection (1) is effective January 1, 2017.] All
examinations ordered by the court in criminal cases shall be accomplished by the entry of an order
of the court specifying the place where such examination is to be conducted and the period of time
allocated for such examination. The defendant may be committed for such examination to the
Colorado psychiatric hospital in Denver, the Colorado mental health institute at Pueblo, the place
where he or she is in custody, or such other public institution designated by the court. In determining
the place where such examination is to be conducted, the court shall give priority to the place where
the defendant is in custody, unless the nature and circumstances of the examination require
designation of a different facility. The defendant shall be observed and examined by one or more
psychiatrists or forensic psychologists during such period as the court directs. For good cause shown,
upon motion of the prosecution or defendant, or upon the court's own motion, the court may order
such further or other examination as is advisable under the circumstances. Nothing in this section
shall abridge the right of the defendant to procure an examination as provided in section 16-8-108.
(b) An interview conducted in any case that includes a class 1 or class 2 felony charge or a
felony sex offense charge described in section 18-3-402, 18-3-404, 18-3-405, or 18-3-405.5, C.R.S.,
pursuant to this section must be video and audio recorded and preserved. The court shall advise the
defendant that any examination with a psychiatrist or forensic psychologist may be video and audio
recorded. A copy of the recording must be provided to all parties and the court with the examination
report. Any jail or other facility where the court orders the examination to take place must permit the
recording to occur and must provide the space and equipment necessary for such recording. If space
and equipment are not available, the sheriff or facility director shall attempt to coordinate a location
and the availability of equipment with the court, which may consult with the district attorney and
defense counsel for an agreed upon location. If no agreement is reached, and upon the request of
either the defense counsel or district attorney, the court shall order the location of the examination,
16-8-107. Evidence. (1) (a) Except as provided in this subsection (1), no evidence acquired
directly or indirectly for the first time from a communication derived from the defendant's mental
processes during the course of a court-ordered examination under section 16-8-106 or acquired
pursuant to section 16-8-103.6 is admissible against the defendant on the issues raised by a plea of
not guilty, if the defendant is put to trial on those issues, except to rebut evidence of his or her mental
condition introduced by the defendant to show incapacity to form a culpable mental state; and, in
such case, that evidence may be considered by the trier of fact only as bearing upon the question of
capacity to form a culpable mental state, and the jury, at the request of either party, shall be so
instructed.
(b) Evidence acquired directly or indirectly for the first time from a communication derived
from the defendant's mental processes during the course of a court-ordered examination under
section 16-8-108 or acquired pursuant to section 16-8-103.6 is admissible at any sentencing hearing
held pursuant to section 18-1.3-1201, 18-1.3-1302, or 18-1.4-102, C.R.S., only to prove the existence
or absence of any mitigating factor.
(c) If the defendant testifies in his or her own behalf upon the trial of the issues raised by the
plea of not guilty or at a sentencing hearing held pursuant to section 18-1.3-1201, 18-1.3-1302, or
18-1.4-102, C.R.S., the provisions of this section shall not bar any evidence used to impeach or rebut
the defendant's testimony.
(1.5) (a) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection (1.5), evidence acquired directly
or indirectly for the first time from a communication derived from the defendant's mental processes
during the course of a court-ordered examination pursuant to section 16-8-106 or acquired pursuant
to section 16-8-103.6 is admissible only as to the issues raised by the defendant's plea of not guilty
by reason of insanity, and the jury, at the request of either party, shall be so instructed; except that,
for offenses committed on or after July 1, 1999, such evidence shall also be admissible as to the
defendant's mental condition if the defendant undergoes the examination because the defendant has
given notice pursuant to subsection (3) of this section that he or she intends to introduce expert
opinion evidence concerning his or her mental condition.
(b) Evidence acquired directly or indirectly for the first time from a communication derived
from the defendant's mental processes during the course of a court-ordered examination under
section 16-8-106 or acquired pursuant to section 16-8-103.6 is admissible at any sentencing hearing
held pursuant to section 18-1.3-1201 or 18-1.4-102, C.R.S., only to prove the existence or absence
of any mitigating factor.
(c) If the defendant testifies in his or her own behalf, the provisions of this section shall not
bar any evidence used to impeach or rebut the defendant's testimony. This subsection (1.5) shall
16-8-109. Testimony of lay witnesses. In any trial or hearing in which the mental condition
of the defendant is an issue, witnesses not specially trained in psychiatry or psychology may testify
as to their observation of the defendant's actions and conduct, and as to conversations which they
have had with him bearing upon his mental condition, and they shall be permitted to give their
opinions or conclusions concerning the mental condition of the defendant.
16-8-110. Mental incompetency to proceed - effect - how and when raised. (Repealed)
16-8-115. Release from commitment after verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity or
not guilty by reason of impaired mental condition. (1) The court may order a release hearing at
any time on its own motion, on motion of the prosecuting attorney, or on motion of the defendant.
The court shall order a release hearing upon receipt of the report of the chief officer of the institution
in which the defendant is committed that the defendant no longer requires hospitalization, as
provided in section 16-8-116, or upon motion of the defendant made after one hundred eighty-two
days following the date of the initial commitment order. Except for the first hearing following the
initial commitment order, unless the court for good cause shown permits, the defendant is not
entitled to a hearing within one year subsequent to a previous hearing.
(1.5) (a) Any victim of any crime or any member of such victim's immediate family, if the
victim has died or is a minor, the perpetrator of which has been found not guilty by reason of insanity
or not guilty by reason of impaired mental condition, shall be notified by the court in a timely
manner prior to any hearing for release of the perpetrator held pursuant to subsection (1) of this
section, if such victim or family member can reasonably be located. This paragraph (a) shall apply
only to offenses committed before July 1, 1995.
(b) Any victim of any crime or any member of such victim's immediate family, if the victim
has died or is a minor, the perpetrator of which has been found not guilty by reason of insanity, shall
be notified by the court in a timely manner prior to any hearing for release of the perpetrator held
pursuant to subsection (1) of this section, if such victim or family member can reasonably be located.
This paragraph (b) shall apply to offenses committed on or after July 1, 1995.
(2) (a) The court shall order a release examination of the defendant when a current one has
not already been furnished or when either the prosecution or defense moves for an examination of
the defendant at a different institution or by different experts. The court may order any additional or
supplemental examination, investigation, or study which it deems necessary to a proper consideration
and determination of the question of eligibility for release. The court shall set the matter for release
hearing after it has received all of the reports which it has ordered under this section. When none of
said reports indicates that the defendant is eligible for release, the defendant's request for release
hearing shall be denied by the court if the defendant is unable to show by way of an offer of proof
any evidence by a medical expert in mental disorders that would indicate that the defendant is
eligible for release. For the purposes of this subsection (2), "medical expert in mental disorders"
means a physician licensed under the provisions of article 36 of title 12, C.R.S., a psychologist
licensed under the provisions of article 43 of title 12, C.R.S., a psychiatric technician licensed under
the provisions of article 42 of title 12, C.R.S., a registered professional nurse as defined in section
12-38-103 (11), C.R.S., who by reason of postgraduate education and additional nursing preparation
has gained knowledge, judgment, and skill in psychiatric or mental health nursing, or a social worker
licensed under the provisions of part 4 of article 43 of title 12, C.R.S. The release hearing shall be
16-8-116. Release by hospital authority. (1) When the chief officer of the institution in
which a defendant has been committed after a finding of not guilty by reason of insanity determines
that the defendant no longer requires hospitalization because he no longer suffers from a mental
disease or defect which is likely to cause him to be dangerous to himself, to others, or to the
community in the reasonably foreseeable future, such chief officer shall report this determination to
the court that committed the defendant and the prosecuting attorney, including in the report a report
of examination equivalent to a release examination. The clerk of the court shall forthwith furnish a
copy of the report to counsel for the defendant.
(2) Within thirty-five days after receiving the report of the chief officer of the institution
having custody of the defendant, the court shall set a hearing on the discharge of the defendant in
accordance with section 16-8-115, whether or not such report is contested.
(3) Repealed.
16-8-119. Counsel and physicians for indigent defendants. In all proceedings under this
article, upon motion of the defendant and proof that he is indigent and without funds to employ
physicians, psychologists, or attorneys to which he is entitled under this article, the court shall
appoint such physicians, psychologists, or attorneys for him at state expense.
16-8-120. Applicable tests for release. (1) As to any person charged with any crime
allegedly committed on or after June 2, 1965, the test for determination of a defendant's sanity for
release from commitment, or his eligibility for conditional release, shall be: "That the defendant has
no abnormal mental condition which would be likely to cause him to be dangerous either to himself
or to others or to the community in the reasonably foreseeable future".
(2) As to any person charged with any crime allegedly committed prior to June 2, 1965, the
PART 2
PART 3
ARTICLE 8.5
Competency to Proceed
16-8.5-101. Definitions. As used in this article, unless the context otherwise requires:
16-8.5-102. Mental incompetency to proceed - how and when raised. (1) While a
defendant is incompetent to proceed, the defendant shall not be tried or sentenced, nor shall the court
consider or decide pretrial matters that are not susceptible of fair determination without the personal
participation of the defendant. However, a determination that a defendant is incompetent to proceed
shall not preclude the furtherance of the proceedings by the court to consider and decide matters,
including a preliminary hearing and motions, that are susceptible of fair determination prior to trial
and without the personal participation of the defendant. Those proceedings may be later reopened
if, in the discretion of the court, substantial new evidence is discovered after and as a result of the
restoration to competency of the defendant.
(2) The question of a defendant's competency to proceed shall be raised in the following
manner:
(a) If the judge has reason to believe that the defendant is incompetent to proceed, it is the
judge's duty to suspend the proceeding and determine the competency or incompetency of the
16-8.5-104. Waiver of privilege. (1) When a defendant raises the issue of competency to
proceed, or when the court determines that the defendant is incompetent to proceed and orders that
the defendant undergo restoration treatment, any claim by the defendant to confidentiality or
privilege is deemed waived, and the district attorney, the defense attorney, and the court are granted
access, without written consent of the defendant or further order of the court, to:
(a) Reports of competency evaluations, including second evaluations;
(b) Information and documents relating to the competency evaluation that are created by,
obtained by, reviewed by, or relied on by an evaluator performing a court-ordered evaluation; and
(c) The evaluator, for the purpose of discussing the competency evaluation.
(2) Upon a request by either party or the court for the information described in subsection
(1) of this section, the evaluator or treatment provider shall provide the information for use in
preparing for a hearing on competency or restoration and for use during such a hearing.
(3) An evaluator or a facility providing competency evaluation or restoration treatment
services pursuant to a court order issued pursuant to this article is authorized to provide, and shall
provide, procedural information to the court, district attorney, or defense counsel, concerning the
defendant's location, the defendant's hospital or facility admission status, the status of evaluation
procedures, and other procedural information relevant to the case.
(4) Nothing in this section limits the court's ability to order that information in addition to
that set forth in subsections (1) and (3) of this section be provided to the evaluator, or to either party
to the case, nor does it limit the information that is available after the written consent of the
defendant.
(5) The court shall order both the prosecutor and the defendant or the defendant's counsel
to exchange the names, addresses, reports, and statements of each physician or psychologist who has
examined or treated the defendant for competency.
(6) Statements made by the defendant in the course of any evaluation shall be protected as
provided in section 16-8.5-108.
16-8.5-105. Evaluations and report. (1) (a) The court shall order that the evaluation be
conducted on an outpatient basis or, if the defendant is in custody, at the place where the defendant
is in custody. The defendant shall be released on bond if otherwise eligible for bond.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a) of this subsection (1), the court may
order the defendant placed in the custody of the Colorado mental health institute at Pueblo for the
(III) The court finds that an observation period is necessary to determine if the defendant is
competent to stand trial;
(IV) The court receives a recommendation from the Colorado mental health institute at
Pueblo court services evaluator that conducting the evaluation at the Colorado mental health institute
at Pueblo is appropriate because the evaluator conducting the evaluation for the Colorado mental
health institute at Pueblo determines that the defendant has been uncooperative or the defendant has
clinical needs that warrant transfer to the Colorado mental health institute at Pueblo; or
(V) The court receives written approval for the evaluation to be conducted at the Colorado
mental health institute at Pueblo from the executive director of the department of human services,
or his or her designee.
(c) The court, when setting bond pursuant to section 16-4-103, if the defendant is eligible
for bond, and after receiving any information pursuant to section 16-4-106, shall not consider the
need for the defendant to receive an evaluation pursuant to this article.
(d) If a defendant is in custody at the Colorado mental health institute at Pueblo for purposes
of the evaluation ordered pursuant to this article and the defendant has completed the evaluation and
must be returned to a county jail, the county sheriff in the jurisdiction where the defendant must
return shall make all reasonable efforts to take custody of the defendant as soon as practicable once
the defendant's evaluation is completed.
(e) Nothing in this section shall restrict the right of the defendant to procure an evaluation
as provided in section 16-8.5-107.
(2) The defendant shall cooperate with the competency evaluator and with other personnel
providing ancillary services, such as testing and radiological services. Statements made by the
defendant in the course of the evaluation shall be protected as provided in section 16-8.5-108. If the
defendant does not cooperate with the competency evaluator and other personnel providing ancillary
services and the lack of cooperation is not the result of a developmental disability or a mental
disability, the fact of the defendant's noncooperation with the competency evaluator and other
personnel providing ancillary services may be admissible in the defendant's competency or
restoration hearing to rebut any evidence introduced by the defendant with regard to the defendant's
competency.
(3) To aid in forming an opinion as to the competency of the defendant, it is permissible in
the course of an evaluation under this section to use confessions and admissions of the defendant and
any other evidence of the circumstances surrounding the commission of the offense, as well as the
medical and social history of the defendant, in questioning the defendant. When the defendant is
noncooperative with the competency evaluator or personnel providing ancillary services, an opinion
of the competency of the defendant may be rendered by the competency evaluator based upon
confessions, admissions, and any other evidence of the circumstances surrounding the commission
of the offense, as well as the known medical and social history of the defendant, and the opinion may
16-8.5-107. Counsel and evaluators for indigent defendants. In all proceedings under this
article, the court shall appoint competency evaluators or attorneys for a defendant at state expense
upon motion of the defendant with proof that he or she is indigent and without funds to employ
competency evaluators or attorneys to which he or she is entitled under this article. If a second
evaluation is requested by an indigent defendant, it shall be paid for by the court.
16-8.5-108. Evidence. (1) (a) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection (1), evidence
acquired directly or indirectly for the first time from a communication derived from the defendant's
mental processes during the course of a competency evaluation or involuntary medication proceeding
is not admissible against the defendant on the issues raised by a plea of not guilty, or, if the offense
occurred before July 1, 1995, a plea of not guilty by reason of impaired mental condition. Such
evidence may be admissible at trial to rebut evidence introduced by the defendant of the defendant's
mental condition to show incapacity of the defendant to form a culpable mental state; and, in such
case, the evidence may only be considered by the trier of fact as bearing upon the question of
capacity to form a culpable mental state, and the jury shall be so instructed at the request of either
party.
(b) Evidence acquired directly or indirectly for the first time from a communication derived
16-8.5-110. Testimony of lay witnesses. In any hearing at which the competency of the
defendant is an issue, witnesses not specially trained in psychiatry or psychology and not testifying
as expert witnesses may testify as to their observation of the defendant's actions and conduct and as
to conversations that they have had with the defendant bearing upon the defendant's mental
condition. Any such witnesses, as part of their testimony, shall be permitted to give their opinions
or conclusions concerning the competency of the defendant.
16-8.5-112. Venue for collateral hearings. (1) If a defendant committed to the custody of
the department for evaluation or for restoration treatment meets the constitutional requirements for
the administration of involuntary medication, the defendant's treating physician may petition the
court for an order requiring that the defendant accept the treatment or, alternatively, that the
medication be forcibly administered to the defendant. The department shall, prior to the hearing on
the petition, deliver a copy of the petition to the court that committed the defendant to the custody
of the department, the prosecuting attorney, and the defendant's legal representation in the criminal
case, if such representation exists, and to the defendant directly if he or she does not have legal
representation. A physician shall assess and document the defendant's mental status prior to the
administration of medication.
(2) A petition for involuntary treatment shall be heard in the court of the jurisdiction where
the defendant is located. The department shall promptly deliver a copy of the order granting or
denying the petition to the court that committed the defendant to the custody of the department, the
prosecuting attorney, and the defendant's legal representation in the criminal case, if such
representation exists, and to the defendant directly if he or she does not have legal representation.
(3) If the committing court elects to transfer venue for medication hearings to the court of
the jurisdiction in which the defendant is located, the committing county shall reimburse the county
in which the proceeding is heard for the reasonable costs incurred in conducting the proceeding.
Alternatively, the district attorney for the committing county, or in any county or any city and county
having a population exceeding fifty thousand persons the county attorney for the committing county,
16-8.5-113. Restoration to competency. (1) The court may order a restoration hearing at
any time on its own motion, on motion of the prosecuting attorney, or on motion of the defendant.
(2) Within fourteen days after receipt of a report from the department or other court-
approved provider of restoration services certifying that the defendant is competent to proceed, either
party may request a hearing or a second evaluation. The court shall determine whether to allow the
second evaluation or proceed to a hearing on competency. If the second evaluation is requested by
the court or by an indigent defendant, it shall be paid for by the court.
(3) If a second evaluation is allowed, any pending requests for a hearing shall be continued
until receipt of the second evaluation report. The report of the expert conducting the second
evaluation report shall be completed and filed with the court within sixty-three days after the court
order allowing the second evaluation, unless the time period is extended by the court after a finding
of good cause.
(4) If neither party requests a hearing or second evaluation within the time frame set forth
in subsection (2) of this section, the court shall enter a final determination, based on the information
then available to the court, whether the defendant is or is not competent to proceed.
(5) If a party makes a timely request for a hearing, the hearing shall be held within thirty-five
days after the request for a hearing or, if applicable, within thirty-five days after the filing of the
second evaluation report, unless the time is extended by the court after a finding of good cause.
(6) At the hearing, the burden of submitting evidence and the burden of proof by a
preponderance of the evidence shall be upon the party asserting that the defendant is competent. At
the hearing, the court shall determine whether the defendant is restored to competency.
16-8.5-118. Temporary removal for treatment and rehabilitation. The chief officer of
an institution in which a defendant has been committed under this article may authorize treatment
and rehabilitation activities involving temporary physical removal of the person from the institution
in which the defendant has been placed, according to the procedures and requirements of section 16-
8-118.
ARTICLE 9
PART 1
SUBPOENAS
16-9-101. Right to compel attendance of witnesses. (1) In every criminal case, the
prosecuting attorney and the defendant have the right to compel the attendance of witnesses and the
production of tangible evidence by service upon them of a subpoena to appear for examination as
a witness at any proceeding before the court. Service of a subpoena upon a parent or legal guardian
who has physical care of an unemancipated minor that contains wording commanding said parent
or legal guardian to produce the unemancipated minor for the purpose of testifying before the court
shall be valid service compelling the attendance of both said parent or legal guardian and the
unemancipated minor for examination as witnesses. In addition, service of a subpoena as described
in this subsection (1) shall compel said parent or legal guardian either to make all necessary
arrangements to ensure that the unemancipated minor is available before the court to testify or to
appear in court and show good cause for the unemancipated minor's failure to appear.
(2) The issuance and service of subpoenas and all procedures related thereto shall be in
conformity with and as required by applicable rule of criminal procedure adopted by the Colorado
supreme court.
PART 2
16-9-201. Definitions. As used in this part 2, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) "State" includes any territory of the United States and the District of Columbia.
(2) "Summons" includes a subpoena, order, or other notice requiring the appearance of a
witness.
(3) "Witness" includes a person whose testimony is desired in any proceeding or
investigation by a grand jury or in a criminal action, prosecution, or proceeding.
16-9-203. Witness from another state. (1) If a person in any state which by its laws has
made provision for commanding persons within its borders to attend and testify in criminal
prosecutions or grand jury investigations commenced or about to commence in this state is a material
witness in a prosecution pending in a court of record in this state or in a grand jury investigation
which has commenced or is about to commence, a judge of such court may issue a certificate under
the seal of the court stating these facts and specifying the number of days the witness will be
required. The certificate may include a recommendation that the witness be taken into immediate
custody and delivered to an officer of this state to assure his attendance in this state. This certificate
shall be presented to a judge of a court of record in the county in which the witness is found.
(2) If the witness is summoned to attend and testify in this state, or if the witness appears
voluntarily at the request of the prosecution or the defense and the court would have otherwise
approved a certificate for such witness pursuant to subsection (1) of this section, he shall be tendered
the sum of ten cents a mile for each mile by the ordinary traveled route to and from the court where
the prosecution is pending or, in the alternative and at the discretion of the court, an airplane ticket
and twenty dollars for each day that he is required to travel and attend as a witness. A witness who
has appeared in accordance with the provisions of the summons shall not be required to remain
within this state a longer period of time than the period mentioned in the certificate, unless otherwise
ordered by the court. If a witness, after coming into this state, fails without good cause to attend and
testify as directed in the summons, he shall be punished in the manner provided for the punishment
of any witness who disobeys a summons issued from a court of record in this state.
16-9-204. Exemption from arrest. (1) If a person comes into this state in obedience to a
summons directing him to attend and testify in this state, he shall not while in this state pursuant to
such summons be subject to arrest or the service of process, civil or criminal, in connection with
matters which arose before his entrance into this state under the summons.
(2) If a person passes through this state while going to another state in obedience to a
summons to attend and testify in that state or while returning therefrom, while so passing through
this state, he shall not be subject to arrest or the service of process, civil or criminal, in connection
with matters which arose before his entrance into this state under the summons.
16-9-205. Production of tangible evidence. The procedures set forth in this part 2 shall
apply to both the compulsory attendance of witnesses and the production of tangible evidence by
witnesses located in this state whose presence is required in an action in another state and to
witnesses from another state whose presence is required in an action in this state.
PART 3
16-9-301. Definitions. As used in this part 3, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) "Summons" includes a subpoena, order, or other notice requiring the appearance of a
witness.
(2) "Witness" includes a person whose testimony is desired or who is desired to produce
tangible evidence in any proceeding or investigation by a grand jury or a criminal action or
proceeding in this state.
PART 4
PART 5
MOTIONS ALLEGING
AN UNCONSTITUTIONAL LAW
PART 6
PROHIBITION ON REPRODUCTION OF
SEXUALLY EXPLOITATIVE MATERIAL
PART 7
16-9-701. Discovery project steering committee. (1) (a) There shall be a discovery project
steering committee convened to assist in developing a request for proposal application and selection
process to choose a vendor to develop a statewide discovery sharing system. The steering committee
consists of:
(I) The attorney general or his or her designee, who shall serve as the chair of the steering
committee;
(II) The state court administrator or his or her designee, who shall serve as the vice-chair of
the steering committee;
(III) The state public defender or his or her designee;
(IV) A representative of the criminal defense bar appointed by the chief justice;
(V) Three district attorneys appointed by the governor, one representing an urban judicial
district, one representing a mid-sized district, and one representing a rural district;
(VI) A county sheriff appointed by the governor;
(VII) The alternate defense counsel or his or her designee;
(VIII) A chief of police appointed by the governor; and
(IX) A district court judge appointed by the chief justice.
(b) The project steering committee must also have a nonvoting member appointed by the
governor from the office of information technology who serves only as a technology advisor to assist
the steering committee.
(2) and (3) Repealed.
(4) (a) The discovery project steering committee shall develop benchmarks and contractual
requirements for the statewide discovery sharing system.
(b) The Colorado district attorneys' council shall enter into a contract with the selected
vendor to complete the system by June 30, 2017. The contract must include the benchmarks and
requirements developed pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subsection (4). The executive director of
the Colorado district attorneys' council shall provide periodic reports to the steering committee and
16-9-702. Statewide discovery sharing system. (1) The Colorado district attorneys' council
shall develop and maintain a statewide discovery sharing system integrated with its ACTION system.
The statewide discovery sharing system must be operational by July 1, 2017. The Colorado district
attorneys' council shall maintain and operate the system with the assistance of the discovery project
steering committee created in section 16-9-701.
(2) The general assembly shall appropriate the necessary moneys from the general fund and
the statewide discovery sharing system surcharge fund created in section 18-26-102 (2), C.R.S., to
fund the development, continuing enhancement, and maintenance of the statewide discovery sharing
system and maintenance and continuing enhancement of the existing ACTION system operated by
the Colorado district attorneys' council. The judicial department shall allocate the appropriated
moneys to the Colorado district attorneys' council for the development, continuing enhancement, and
maintenance of the statewide discovery sharing system and the existing ACTION system.
(3) The Colorado district attorneys' council shall provide the judicial department financial
reports regarding the statewide discovery sharing system. The judicial department shall use the
reports in preparing its annual budget request. The reports must include the following:
(a) Actual expenditures of the moneys appropriated for the maintenance of the ACTION
system and for the development, enhancement, implementation, and maintenance of the discovery
sharing system so that the judicial department can include the expenditure data in its annual budget
request. The judicial department shall require the Colorado district attorneys' council to provide the
information in a format that is consistent with actual expenditures reported for other line item
appropriations.
(b) The amount of state funding requested for the next fiscal year for such purpose, including
a breakdown and justification for the amount requested.
ARTICLE 10
Jury Trials
16-10-101. Jury trials - statement of policy. The right of a person who is accused of an
offense other than a noncriminal traffic infraction or offense, or other than a municipal charter,
municipal ordinance, or county ordinance violation as provided in section 16-10-109 (1), to have a
trial by jury is inviolate and a matter of substantive due process of law as distinguished from one of
"practice and procedure". The people shall also have the right to refuse to consent to a waiver of a
trial or sentencing determination by jury in all cases in which the accused has the right to request a
trial or sentencing determination by jury.
16-10-102. When jury panel exhausted. In all criminal cases where the panel of jurors is
exhausted by challenge or otherwise, and whether any juror has been selected and sworn or not, the
court may order the issuance of a venire for any number of jurors not exceeding twenty-four,
returnable forthwith, out of which persons so ordered to be summoned it is lawful to impanel a jury
for the trial of any criminal case. Should the jurors thus summoned be insufficient, by reason of
challenges or otherwise, to form an impartial jury, the court may make further orders for additional
jurors, returnable forthwith, until a full jury is obtained.
16-10-103. Challenge of jurors for cause. (1) The court shall sustain a challenge for cause
on one or more of the following grounds:
(a) Absence of any qualification prescribed by statute to render a person competent as a
juror;
(b) Relationship within the third degree, by blood, adoption, or marriage, to a defendant or
to any attorney of record or attorney engaged in the trial of the case;
(c) Standing in the relation of guardian and ward, employer and employee, landlord and
tenant, debtor and creditor, or principal and agent to, or being a member of the household of, or a
partner in business with, or surety on any bond or obligation for any defendant;
(d) The juror is or has been a party adverse to the defendant in a civil action or has
complained against or been accused by him in a criminal prosecution;
(e) The juror has served on the grand jury which returned the indictment, or on a coroner's
jury which inquired into the death of a person whose death is the subject of the indictment or
information, or on any other investigatory body which inquired into the facts of the crime charged;
(f) The juror was a juror at a former trial arising out of the same factual situation or
involving the same defendant;
(g) The juror was a juror in a civil action against the defendant arising out of the act charged
as a crime;
(j) The existence of a state of mind in the juror evincing enmity or bias toward the defendant
or the state; however, no person summoned as a juror shall be disqualified by reason of a previously
formed or expressed opinion with reference to the guilt or innocence of the accused, if the court is
satisfied, from the examination of the juror or from other evidence, that he will render an impartial
verdict according to the law and the evidence submitted to the jury at the trial;
(k) The juror is a compensated employee of a public law enforcement agency or a public
defender's office.
(2) If any juror knows of anything which would disqualify him as a juror or be a ground for
challenge to him for cause, it is his duty to inform the court concerning it whether or not he is
specifically asked about it. The jury panel shall be advised of this duty and of the grounds for
challenge for cause before any prospective jurors are called to the jury box.
(3) If either party desires to introduce evidence of the incompetency, disqualification, or
prejudice of any prospective juror who upon the voir dire examination appears to be qualified,
competent, and unprejudiced, such evidence shall be heard, and the competency of the juror shall
be determined, by the court, out of the presence of the other jurors, but this action cannot be taken
after the jury has been sworn to try the case except upon a motion for mistrial.
16-10-104. Peremptory challenges. (1) In capital cases, the state and the defendant, when
there is one defendant, shall each be entitled to ten peremptory challenges. In all other cases, where
there is one defendant and the punishment may be by imprisonment in the correctional facilities
operated by the department of corrections, the state and the defendant shall each be entitled to five
peremptory challenges, and in all other cases to three peremptory challenges. If there is more than
one defendant, each side shall be entitled to an additional three peremptory challenges for every
defendant after the first in capital cases, but not exceeding twenty peremptory challenges to each
side; in all other cases, where the punishment may be by imprisonment in the correctional facilities
operated by the department of corrections, to two additional peremptory challenges for every
defendant after the first, not exceeding fifteen peremptory challenges to each side; and in all other
cases, to one additional peremptory challenge for every defendant after the first, not exceeding ten
peremptory challenges to each side. In any case where there are multiple defendants, every
peremptory challenge shall be made and considered as the joint peremptory challenge of all
defendants. In case of the consolidation of any indictments, informations, complaints, or summonses
and complaints for trial, such consolidated cases shall be considered, for all purposes concerning
peremptory challenges, as though the defendants had been joined in the same indictment,
information, complaint, or summons and complaint. When trial is held on a plea of not guilty by
reason of insanity, the number of peremptory challenges shall be the same as if trial were on the issue
of substantive guilt.
(2) Peremptory challenges shall be exercised as provided by applicable rule of criminal
procedure.
16-10-106. Incapacity of juror. Where a jury of twelve has been sworn to try the case, and
any juror by reason of illness or other cause becomes unable to continue until a verdict is reached,
the court may excuse such juror. If no alternate juror is available to replace the juror, the parties at
any time before verdict may stipulate in writing with court approval that the jury shall consist of any
number less than twelve, and the jurors thus remaining shall proceed to try the case and determine
the issues unless discharged by the court for inability to reach a verdict.
16-10-107. Challenge to entire jury panel. A challenge to the panel is an objection to the
entire panel of prospective trial jurors made by the defendant or by the prosecuting attorney. No
challenge to the panel shall be made, except as provided by section 13-71-139, C.R.S.
16-10-108. Verdict. The verdict of the jury shall be unanimous. The jury shall return its
verdict in open court, but a sealed verdict may be received as provided by rule of the supreme court
of Colorado.
16-10-109. Trial by jury for petty offenses. (1) For the purposes of this section, "petty
offense" means any crime or offense classified as a petty offense or, if not so classified, which is
punishable by imprisonment other than in a correctional facility for not more than six months, or by
a fine of not more than five hundred dollars, or by both such imprisonment and fine, and includes
any violation of a municipal ordinance or offense which was not considered a crime at common law;
except that violation of a municipal traffic ordinance which does not constitute a criminal offense
or any other municipal charter, municipal ordinance, or county ordinance offense which is neither
16-10-110. Jury instructions - cases involving the possibility of the death penalty. At
the trial of any felony in which the prosecution is not seeking the death penalty, upon the request of
the prosecution or the defendant, the court shall instruct the jury during voir dire that the prosecution
is not seeking the death penalty.
PART 2
PART 3
PART 4
TRIAL PROCEEDINGS
ARTICLE 11
Imposition of Sentence
PART 1
ALTERNATIVES - INVESTIGATION
16-11-101.8. State income tax refund offsets - fines, fees, costs, or surcharges -
definitions. (1) In any case in which a defendant has an unsatisfied fine, fee, cost, or surcharge
obligation imposed pursuant to law or a court order, the judicial department is authorized to transmit
data concerning the obligation to the department of revenue for the purpose of conducting a data
match and offsetting the obligation against a state income tax refund pursuant to section 39-21-108
16-11-102. Presentence or probation investigation. (1) (a) (I) Following the return of a
verdict of guilty of a felony, other than a class 1 felony, or following a finding of guilt on such charge
where the issues were tried to the court, or on a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to such a charge,
or upon order of the court in any misdemeanor conviction, the probation officer shall make an
investigation and written report to the court before the imposition of sentence. Each presentence
report must include a substance abuse assessment or evaluation made pursuant to article 11.5 of this
title and, unless waived by the court, must include, but not be limited to, information as to the
defendant's family background, educational history, employment record, and past criminal record,
including the defendant's past juvenile delinquency record, if any; information indicating whether
the defendant has been convicted of unlawful sexual behavior as defined in section 16-22-102 (9);
an evaluation of the alternative dispositions available for the defendant; the information required by
The provisions of this statement do not apply to a defendant who has been
sentenced to the youthful offender system within the Department of Corrections."
(III) The district attorney's office shall prepare a victim impact statement. The department
of human services shall provide the district attorney's office with the information necessary for the
preparation of a victim impact statement. In addition, the court, in cases that it deems appropriate,
may require the presentence report to include the findings and results of a professionally conducted
(c) Describe the projected costs, if known, that are associated with each sentencing option
that is available to the court; and
(d) Set forth the purposes of title 18, C.R.S., with respect to sentencing, as such purposes
are described in section 18-1-102.5, C.R.S.
(2) The report of the probation officer and the procedures to be followed at the time sentence
is imposed and final judgment is entered shall be as required by the Colorado rules of criminal
procedure. In addition to the requirements of such rules, the report shall include a statement showing
the amount of time during which the defendant was imprisoned awaiting trial upon the charge
resulting in conviction.
(3) The court, upon its own motion or upon the petition of the probation officer, may order
any defendant who is subject to presentence investigation or who has made application for probation
to submit to a mental and physical examination.
(4) The court, with the concurrence of the defendant and the prosecuting attorney, may
dispense with the presentence examination and report; except that the information required by
section 18-1.3-603 (2), C.R.S., and a victim impact statement shall be made in every case. The
amount of restitution shall be ordered pursuant to section 18-1.3-603, C.R.S., and article 18.5 of this
title and endorsed upon the mittimus.
(5) After receiving the presentence report and before imposing sentence, the court shall
afford the defendant an opportunity to make a statement in his or her own behalf and to present any
information in mitigation of punishment. The prosecution also shall be given an opportunity to be
heard on any matter material to the imposition of sentence. The court shall then sentence the
defendant pursuant to the provisions of this article and section 18-1.3-401, C.R.S.
(6) Following the return of a verdict of guilty of a felony, or a finding of guilt on such charge
where the issues were tried to the court, or on a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to such a charge,
the district attorney may file with the court identification photographs and fingerprints of the
defendant or defendants, and such identification photographs and fingerprints shall become part of
the court record. Such identification photographs and fingerprints of the defendant or defendants
shall constitute prima facie evidence of identity under section 18-1.3-802, C.R.S.
(d) Every offender who, on or after July 1, 2007, is in a county jail or a community
corrections facility pursuant to article 27 of title 17, C.R.S., based on a sentence imposed before that
date for a felony conviction. The sheriff or the community corrections program shall collect the
sample at least thirty-five days prior to the offender's release from the custody of the county jail or
community corrections facility.
(e) Every offender who, on or after July 1, 2007, is in a county jail or a community
corrections facility based on a sentence imposed before that date for conviction of a misdemeanor
offense involving unlawful sexual behavior or for which the factual basis involved an offense
involving unlawful sexual behavior. The sheriff or the community corrections program shall collect
the sample at least thirty-five days prior to the offender's release from the custody of the county jail
or community corrections facility.
(f) Every offender who, on or after July 1, 2007, is in the custody of the youthful offender
16-11-105. Local initiative committee pilot program for the management of community-
based programs for adults with mental illness who come into contact with the criminal justice
system - legislative declaration - creation - duties - report - repeal. (Repealed)
PART 2
PROBATION
16-11-205. Arrest of probationer - revocation. (1) A probation officer may arrest any
probationer when:
16-11-206. Revocation hearing. (1) At the first appearance of the probationer in court or
at the commencement of the hearing, whichever is first in time, the court shall advise the probationer
as provided in section 16-7-206 insofar as such matters are applicable; except that there shall be no
right to a trial by jury in proceedings for revocation of probation.
(2) At or prior to the commencement of the hearing, the court shall advise the probationer
of the charges against him and the possible penalties therefor and shall require the probationer to
plead guilty or not guilty.
(3) At the hearing, the prosecution has the burden of establishing by a preponderance of the
evidence the violation of a condition of probation; except that the commission of a criminal offense
must be established beyond a reasonable doubt unless the probationer has been convicted thereof in
a criminal proceeding. When, in a revocation hearing, the alleged violation of a condition is the
probationer's failure to pay court-ordered compensation to appointed counsel, probation fees, court
costs, restitution, or reparations, evidence of the failure to pay shall constitute prima facie evidence
of a violation. The court may, when it appears that the alleged violation of conditions of probation
consists of an offense with which the probationer is charged in a criminal proceeding then pending,
16-11-207. Absent violator - arrest and return. When there is reason to believe that a
condition of probation has been violated and the alleged violator is not in the state or cannot be
apprehended in the state, the probation officer shall report these facts to the court which granted
probation, and the court may forthwith order the issuance of a warrant for the arrest and return of the
probationer.
16-11-208. Officer's appointment - salary - oath. (1) Probation officers shall be appointed
pursuant to the provisions of section 13-3-105, C.R.S., and shall not be removed except for cause.
(2) Before entering upon the duties of his office, each probation officer shall take an oath
of office as an officer of the court, as prescribed by law.
16-11-210. County and juvenile courts. Any county court or juvenile court in this state
may exercise the powers provided for and granted to district courts in this part 2, and the probation
officers provided for in this part 2 shall also serve such courts in the same capacity as required by
this part 2 for district courts.
16-11-214. Fund created - probation services. (1) (a) There is hereby created in the state
treasury the offender services fund to which shall be credited one hundred percent of any cost of care
payments or probation supervision fees paid to the state pursuant to section 18-1.3-204 (2) (a) (V)
or 19-2-114 (1), C.R.S., and from which the general assembly shall make annual appropriations for
administrative and personnel costs for adult and juvenile probation services as well as for adjunct
adult and juvenile probation services in the judicial department, including treatment services,
contract services, drug and alcohol treatment services, and program development, and for associated
administrative and personnel costs. Any moneys remaining in said fund at the end of any fiscal year
shall not revert to the general fund.
(b) Repealed.
(c) Notwithstanding any provision of paragraph (a) of this subsection (1) to the contrary, on
April 20, 2009, the state treasurer shall deduct two hundred fifty thousand dollars from the offender
services fund and transfer such sum to the general fund.
(d) Notwithstanding any provision of paragraph (a) of this subsection (1) to the contrary, on
July 1, 2009, the state treasurer shall deduct two million four hundred ninety-eight thousand four
hundred thirty-nine dollars from the offender services fund and transfer such sum to the general fund.
(2) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2000, p. 997, § 2, effective May 26, 2000.)
PART 3
SENTENCES TO IMPRISONMENT
16-11-307. Credit for confinement pending appeal. (1) (a) A defendant whose sentence
was stayed pending appeal prior to July 1, 1972, but who was confined pending disposition of the
appeal, is entitled to credit against the maximum and minimum terms of his sentence for the entire
period of confinement served while the stay of execution was in effect.
(b) A defendant whose sentence is stayed pending appeal after July 1, 1972, but who is
confined pending disposition of the appeal, is entitled to credit against the term of his sentence for
16-11-308.5. Authority to contract with a county or a city and county for placement of
prisoners in custody of executive director. (1) The general assembly hereby finds and declares
that the department of corrections needs to reduce the backlog of state prisoners in local jails and that
such reduction may occur by means of contracting with local jails for jail space in an amount equal
to the number of inmates backlogged in local jails. The general assembly also finds and declares that
it is the general assembly's intent that the department of corrections cooperate with each contracting
county or city and county to select inmates for placement who will eventually be released in that
PART 4
PART 5
PART 6
16-11-601. Right to attend sentencing. The victim of any crime or a relative of the victim,
if the victim has died, has the right to attend all sentencing proceedings resulting from a conviction
of said crime under any laws of this state. Said person has the right to appear, personally or with
counsel, at the sentencing proceeding and to adequately and reasonably express his or her views
concerning the crime, the defendant, the need for restitution, and the type of sentence which should
be imposed by the court. The court, in imposing sentence, shall consider the statements of such
person and shall make a finding, on the record, as to whether or not the defendant would pose a
threat to public safety if granted probation.
PART 7
16-11-701. (Repealed)
PART 8
ARTICLE 11.3
16-11.3-101. Legislative declaration. (1) The general assembly finds and declares that:
(a) Ensuring public safety and respecting the rights of victims are paramount concerns of the
citizens of Colorado;
(b) Improving the effective administration of justice involves a comprehensive examination
of, and recommendations regarding, the criminal and juvenile justice systems;
(c) Current commitments to the department of corrections require expending a significant
percentage of the state budget for incarceration of offenders;
(d) The number of offenders projected to be sentenced in the future will require that an even
greater percentage of the state budget be dedicated to incarceration;
(e) The rate of recidivism is high, resulting in the return of many offenders to the justice
system with additional significant expense;
(f) It is in the interest of the people of the state of Colorado to maintain public safety through
the most cost-effective use of limited criminal justice resources;
(g) Many factors may contribute to an offender's criminal behavior, including but not limited
to substance abuse, mental illness, poverty, child abuse, domestic violence, and educational
deficiencies. Often times, factors contributing to criminal conduct and re-victimization are not
addressed adequately within the justice system.
(h) Appropriate intervention in a child's life through the juvenile justice system or prevention
programs may limit or prevent future criminal conduct;
(i) It is in the best interest of the public to engage in a comprehensive, evidence-based
analysis of the circumstances and characteristics of the offenders being sentenced to the department
of corrections, the alternatives to incarceration, the effectiveness of prevention programs, and the
effectiveness of the criminal code and sentencing laws in securing public safety.
(2) Therefore, the general assembly declares that a commission comprised of experts in
criminal justice, corrections, mental health, drug abuse, victims' rights, higher education, juvenile
justice, local government, and other pertinent disciplines shall be formed to engage in an evidence-
based analysis of the criminal justice system in Colorado and annually report to the governor, the
speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, and the chief justice of the
Colorado supreme court.
(III) The executive director of the department of human services, or his or her designee;
(IV) The executive director of the department of higher education, or his or her designee;
(V) The attorney general, or his or her designee;
(VI) The state public defender, or his or her designee;
(VII) The chairperson of the state board of parole, or his or her designee;
(VIII) The chairperson of the juvenile parole board, or his or her designee;
(IX) Two members appointed by the chief justice of the Colorado supreme court from the
judicial branch, at least one of whom shall be a current or retired judge;
(X) Four members of the general assembly appointed as follows:
(A) One member appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;
(B) One member appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives;
16-11.3-103. Duties of the commission - mission - staffing. (1) The mission of the
commission is to enhance public safety, to ensure justice, and to ensure protection of the rights of
victims through the cost-effective use of public resources. The work of the commission will focus
on evidence-based recidivism reduction initiatives and the cost-effective expenditure of limited
criminal justice funds.
(2) The commission shall have the following duties:
(a) To conduct an empirical analysis of and collect evidence-based data on sentencing
policies and practices, including but not limited to the effectiveness of the sentences imposed in
meeting the purposes of sentencing and the need to prevent recidivism and revictimization;
(b) To investigate effective alternatives to incarceration, the factors contributing to
recidivism, evidence-based recidivism reduction initiatives, and cost-effective crime prevention
programs;
(c) To make an annual report of findings and recommendations, including evidence-based
analysis and data;
(d) To study and evaluate the outcomes of commission recommendations as implemented;
(e) To conduct and review studies, including but not limited to work and resources compiled
by other states, and make recommendations concerning policies and practices in the criminal and
juvenile justice systems. The areas of study shall include, but are not limited to, the reduction of
racial and ethnic disparities within the criminal and juvenile justice systems. The commission shall
prioritize areas of study based on the potential impact on crime and corrections and the resources
available for conducting the work.
(f) To work with other state-established boards, task forces, or commissions that study or
address criminal justice issues.
(2.5) (a) Using empirical analysis and evidence-based data, the commission shall study
sentences in Colorado.
(b) to (d) Repealed.
(2.7) and (2.8) Repealed.
(3) The commission shall establish advisory committees that focus on specific subject
matters and make recommendations to the full commission. The chairperson of the commission shall
select the chairpersons for the advisory committees as well as the commission members to serve on
16-11.3-104. Colorado commission on criminal and juvenile justice cash fund - created
- donations. (1) The department of public safety and the commission are authorized to accept gifts,
grants, or donations, including in-kind donations from private or public sources, for the purposes of
this article. All private and public funds received through gifts, grants, or donations by the
department of public safety or by the commission shall be transmitted to the state treasurer, who
shall credit the same to the Colorado commission on criminal and juvenile justice cash fund, which
fund is hereby created and referred to in this article as the "cash fund". Any moneys in the cash fund
not expended for the purposes of this article shall be invested by the state treasurer as provided in
section 24-36-113, C.R.S. All interest and income derived from the investment and deposit of
moneys in the cash fund shall be credited to the cash fund. Any unexpended and unencumbered
moneys remaining in the cash fund at the end of any fiscal year shall remain in the cash fund and
shall not be credited or transferred to the general fund or any other fund.
(2) The department of public safety shall not be required to solicit gifts, grants, or donations
from any source for the purposes of this article.
ARTICLE 11.5
16-11.5-101. Legislative declaration. The general assembly hereby declares that substance
abuse, specifically the abuse of alcohol and controlled substances, is a major problem in the criminal
justice system of the state of Colorado and in the entire nation. Substance abuse is a significant factor
in the commission of crimes and it is a significant factor in impeding the rehabilitation of persons
convicted of crimes which results in an increased rate of recidivism. Therefore, the general assembly
hereby resolves to curtail the disastrous effects of substance abuse in the criminal justice system by
providing for consistency in the response to substance abuse throughout the criminal justice system
and to improve and standardize substance abuse treatment for offenders at each stage of the criminal
justice system and to provide punitive measures for offenders who refuse to cooperate with and
respond to substance abuse treatment while such offenders are involved with the criminal justice
system.
16-11.5-104. Sentencing of felons - parole of felons - treatment and testing based upon
assessment required. (Repealed)
16-11.5-105. Departments shall develop testing programs - punitive sanctions. (1) The
judicial department, the department of public health and environment, the department of corrections,
the state board of parole, and the division of criminal justice of the department of public safety shall
cooperate to develop programs for the periodic testing of offenders under the jurisdiction of each
agency and programs for the periodic reassessment of appropriate offenders under the jurisdiction
of each agency. Any such periodic testing or treatment of an offender shall be based upon
recommendations of appropriate treatment and testing made in the initial substance abuse assessment
required by section 18-1.3-209, C.R.S., or any subsequent reassessment.
(2) Any offender who tests positive for the use of alcohol or controlled substances
subsequent to the initial test required by section 18-1.3-209, C.R.S., shall be subjected to a punitive
sanction. The judicial department, the department of corrections, the state board of parole, and the
division of criminal justice of the department of public safety shall cooperate to develop and make
public a range of punitive sanctions for those offenders under the jurisdiction of each agency which
are appropriate to the offenders supervised by each particular agency. Such punitive sanctions shall
be formulated in such a way as to promote fairness and consistency in the treatment of offenders and
may include, but shall not be limited to, increases in the level of an offender's supervision, increases
in the use of electronic monitoring of an offender, loss of earned time granted pursuant to section
17-22.5-405, C.R.S., and referral of the offender to the court or the state board of parole for
resentencing or revocation of probation or parole. It is the intent of the general assembly that any
offender's test which is positive for the use of controlled substances or alcohol shall result in an
intensified level of testing, treatment, supervision, or other sanctions designed to control abuse of
substances for such offender.
(3) The judicial department, the department of corrections, the state board of parole, and the
division of criminal justice of the department of public safety shall cooperate to develop a range of
ARTICLE 11.7
16-11.7-101. Legislative declaration. (1) The general assembly finds that, to protect the
public and to work toward the elimination of sexual offenses, it is necessary to comprehensively
evaluate, identify, treat, manage, and monitor adult sex offenders who are subject to the supervision
of the criminal justice system and juveniles who have committed sexual offenses who are subject
to the supervision of the juvenile justice system.
(2) Therefore, the general assembly declares that it is necessary to create a program that
establishes evidence-based standards for the evaluation, identification, treatment, management, and
monitoring of adult sex offenders and juveniles who have committed sexual offenses at each stage
of the criminal or juvenile justice system to prevent offenders from reoffending and enhance the
protection of victims and potential victims. The general assembly does not intend to imply that all
offenders can or will positively respond to treatment.
16-11.7-102. Definitions. As used in this article, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) "Adult sex offender" means a person who has been convicted, as described in
subparagraphs (I) to (III) of paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of this section, of a sex offense.
(1.3) "Board" means the sex offender management board created in section 16-11.7-103.
(II) Sexual assault in the third degree, in violation of section 18-3-404, C.R.S., as it existed
prior to July 1, 2000;
(d) Sexual assault on a child, in violation of section 18-3-405, C.R.S.;
(e) Sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust, in violation of section 18-3-405.3,
C.R.S.;
(f) Sexual assault on a client by a psychotherapist, in violation of section 18-3-405.5, C.R.S.;
(g) Enticement of a child, in violation of section 18-3-305, C.R.S.;
(h) Incest, in violation of section 18-6-301, C.R.S.;
(i) Aggravated incest, in violation of section 18-6-302, C.R.S.;
(j) Human trafficking of a minor for sexual servitude, as described in section 18-3-504 (2),
C.R.S.;
(k) Sexual exploitation of children, in violation of section 18-6-403, C.R.S.;
(l) Procurement of a child for sexual exploitation, in violation of section 18-6-404, C.R.S.;
(m) Indecent exposure, in violation of section 18-7-302, C.R.S.;
(n) Soliciting for child prostitution, in violation of section 18-7-402, C.R.S.;
16-11.7-103. Sex offender management board - creation - duties - repeal. (1) There is
hereby created in the department of public safety a sex offender management board that shall consist
of twenty-five members. The membership of the board shall reflect, to the extent possible,
representation of urban and rural areas of the state and a balance of expertise in adult and juvenile
issues relating to persons who commit sex offenses. The membership of the board shall consist of
the following persons who shall be appointed as follows:
(a) The chief justice of the supreme court shall appoint three members as follows:
(II) To revise the guidelines and standards developed pursuant to this paragraph (j), the board
shall establish a committee to make recommendations to the board. At least eighty percent of the
members of the committee must be approved treatment providers.
16-11.7-104. Sex offenders - evaluation and identification required. (1) On and after
January 1, 1994, each convicted adult sex offender and juvenile who has committed a sexual offense
who is to be considered for probation shall be required, as a part of the presentence or probation
investigation required pursuant to section 16-11-102, to submit to an evaluation for treatment, an
evaluation for risk, procedures required for monitoring of behavior to protect victims and potential
victims, and an identification developed pursuant to section 16-11.7-103 (4).
(2) The evaluation and identification required by subsection (1) of this section shall be at the
expense of the person evaluated, based upon such person's ability to pay for such treatment.
ARTICLE 11.8
16-11.8-101. Legislative declaration. The general assembly hereby declares that the
consistent and comprehensive evaluation, treatment, and continued monitoring of domestic violence
offenders who have been convicted of, pled guilty to, or received a deferred judgment or prosecution
for any crime the underlying factual basis of which includes an act of domestic violence as defined
in section 18-6-800.3 (1), C.R.S., and who are subject to the supervision of the criminal justice
system is necessary in order to work toward the elimination of recidivism by such offenders.
Therefore, the general assembly hereby creates a program that standardizes the evaluation, treatment,
and continued monitoring of domestic violence offenders at each stage of the criminal justice system
so that such offenders will be less likely to offend again and the protection of victims and potential
victims will be enhanced.
16-11.8-102. Definitions. As used in this article, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) "Board" means the domestic violence offender management board created in section 16-
11.8-103.
(2) "Domestic violence offender" means any person who on or after January 1, 2001, has
been convicted of, pled guilty to, or received a deferred judgment and sentence for any domestic
violence offense as defined in subsection (3) of this section.
(3) "Domestic violence offense" means any crime the underlying factual basis of which
includes an act of domestic violence as defined in section 18-6-800.3 (1), C.R.S.
(4) "Treatment" means counseling, monitoring, and supervision of any domestic violence
offender that conforms to the standards created by the board pursuant to section 16-11.8-103.
(5) "Treatment evaluation" means a determination of treatment amenability as recommended
by a domestic violence evaluator approved by the domestic violence offender management board.
ARTICLE 11.9
16-11.9-101. Legislative declaration. The general assembly hereby finds and declares that,
based upon the findings and recommendations of the 1999 interim committee to study the treatment
of persons with mental illness in the Colorado criminal justice system, detecting mental illness in
persons in the criminal justice system is a difficult process with no current statewide standards or
requirements. The lack of a standardized screening process to detect persons with mental illness in
the criminal justice system is a significant impediment to consistent identification, diagnosis,
treatment, and rehabilitation of all mentally ill offenders, ultimately resulting in an increased rate of
recidivism. Therefore, the general assembly hereby resolves to create a standardized screening
process to be utilized at each stage of the criminal justice system to identify persons with mental
illness.
16-11.9-103. Report to the general assembly. On or before March 1, 2002, the judicial
department, the department of corrections, the state board of parole, the division of criminal justice
within the department of public safety, and the department of human services shall jointly make a
report to a joint meeting of the judiciary committees of the senate and the house of representatives
regarding the standardized screening procedures developed pursuant to this article and the need for
and utility of further legislation to implement the standardized screening procedures developed
pursuant to this article.
ARTICLE 12
PART 1
REVIEW
16-12-102. Appeals by the prosecution. (1) The prosecution may appeal any decision of
a court in a criminal case upon any question of law. Any order of a court that either dismisses one
16-12-103. Stays of execution. When a person has been convicted of an offense and a notice
of appeal is filed, he shall be entitled to a stay of execution by compliance with the provisions and
requirements of the applicable rules of the supreme court of Colorado.
PART 2
UNITARY REVIEW IN
DEATH PENALTY CASES
16-12-201. Legislative declaration. (1) The general assembly hereby declares that the
purpose of this part 2 is to establish an expedited system of unitary review of class 1 felony cases in
which a death sentence is imposed.
(2) The general assembly finds that enactment of this part 2 will accomplish the following
goals:
(a) Ensuring compliance with the requirements of the federal "Antiterrorism and Effective
Death Penalty Act of 1996", 28 U.S.C. sec. 2261 et seq.;
(b) Improving the accuracy, completeness, and justice of review proceedings by requiring
16-12-202. Unitary procedure for appeals - scope and applicability. (1) Notwithstanding
any state statute or rule of the Colorado supreme court to the contrary, this part 2 and the supreme
court rules adopted pursuant to this part 2 establish the only procedure for challenging a sentence of
death or the conviction that resulted in the sentence of death.
(2) This part 2 does not apply to class 1 felony cases in which a sentence of death is not
sought or to class 1 felony convictions for which the death penalty is not imposed.
(3) This part 2 shall apply to any class 1 felony conviction for which the death penalty is
imposed as punishment, regardless of whether the sentence is imposed pursuant to section 18-1.3-
1201, 18-1.3-1302, or 18-1.4-102, C.R.S., which death sentence is imposed on or after the date upon
which the supreme court adopts rules implementing the unitary system of review established by this
part 2.
(4) For cases in which a death sentence is imposed prior to the date upon which the Colorado
supreme court adopts rules implementing the unitary system of review established by this part 2,
appellate review and postconviction review shall be as otherwise provided by law.
16-12-203. Definitions. As used in this part 2, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) "Direct appeal" means the appeal to the Colorado supreme court of any issues raised at
the entry of a guilty plea, before trial, at trial, at the penalty phase hearing, or in a motion for new
trial.
(2) "Direct appeal counsel" means the attorney retained by the defendant, or appointed by
the trial court to represent an indigent defendant, as the successor to trial counsel for purposes of
representing the defendant in direct appeal proceedings.
(3) "New postconviction counsel" means the attorney retained by the defendant, or appointed
by the trial court to represent an indigent defendant, for the purposes of representing the defendant
in postconviction review and postconviction review appeal proceedings. New postconviction counsel
cannot have previously represented the defendant with regard to the class 1 felony charge.
(4) "Postconviction review" means review as provided in this part 2 by the trial court that
occurs after conviction in a class 1 felony case in which the death penalty is imposed as punishment.
(5) "Postconviction review appeal" means the appeal to the Colorado supreme court of any
issues raised in postconviction review proceedings.
(6) "Trial counsel" means the attorney who represents the defendant with regard to the class
1 felony charge: For the purposes of any guilty plea; before trial; at trial; at the penalty phase hearing;
for the purposes of a motion for new trial; for the purposes of postconviction review if the defendant
chooses to continue with trial counsel for purposes of postconviction review; and for the purposes
16-12-204. Stay of execution - postconviction review. (1) The trial court, upon the
imposition of a death sentence, shall set the time of execution pursuant to section 18-1.3-1205,
C.R.S., and enter an order staying execution of the judgment and sentence until receipt of an order
from the Colorado supreme court. The trial court shall direct the clerk of the trial court to mail to the
Colorado supreme court immediately a copy of the judgment, sentence, and mittimus.
(2) The trial court shall order the defendant, trial counsel, and the prosecution to attend a
hearing to be held after the date upon which the sentence of death is imposed. At the hearing, the
trial court shall:
(a) Advise the defendant of the nature of review as provided in this part 2;
(b) Advise the defendant of the right to direct appeal counsel;
(c) Advise the defendant that the issue of ineffective assistance of trial counsel before trial,
at trial, or during the penalty phase hearing may only be raised on postconviction review and on
postconviction review appeal;
(d) Advise the defendant that the issue of ineffective assistance of counsel during direct
appeal by trial counsel or direct appeal counsel may only be raised by way of a petition for rehearing
filed in the Colorado supreme court by new postconviction counsel or the defendant pursuant to the
rules adopted by the Colorado supreme court to implement this part 2;
(e) Determine whether the defendant intends to pursue postconviction review; and
(f) If the defendant intends to pursue postconviction review, determine whether the
defendant intends to proceed with or without counsel.
(3) After a full discussion on the record, if the defendant knowingly, voluntarily, and
intelligently waives the right to pursue postconviction review, trial counsel or direct appeal counsel,
if appointed or retained, or the defendant, if proceeding without counsel, may file any notice of
appeal with the Colorado supreme court, as provided by Colorado supreme court rule.
16-12-206. Postconviction review - motion. (1) (a) In any case in which a defendant has
been convicted of a class 1 felony and been sentenced to death, all motions for postconviction review
and all postconviction review proceedings are governed by this part 2 and by the supreme court rules
adopted to implement this part 2.
(b) Any motion for postconviction review shall state with particularity the grounds upon
which the defendant intends to rely, including a statement of the facts and citations of law. A motion
for postconviction review may include only those issues specified in paragraph (c) of this subsection
(1) and shall not include any issues that were raised at the entry of any guilty plea, before trial, at
trial, at the penalty phase hearing, or in the motion for new trial.
(c) A motion for postconviction review may raise only the following issues:
(I) Whether there exists evidence of material facts, not previously presented and heard,
which by the exercise of reasonable diligence could not have been known or learned by the defendant
or trial counsel prior to the imposition of the sentence and which require that the conviction or the
death sentence be vacated in the interests of justice; or
(II) Whether the conviction was obtained or the sentence was imposed in violation of the
constitution or laws of the United States or Colorado; or
(III) Whether the defendant was convicted under a statute that violates the constitution of
the United States or Colorado or whether the conduct for which the defendant was prosecuted was
constitutionally protected; or
(IV) Whether the judgment was rendered without jurisdiction over the defendant or the
subject matter; or
(V) Any other grounds that are properly the basis for collateral attack upon a criminal
judgment; or
(VI) Whether trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance.
(2) By alleging that trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance, the defendant automatically
waives confidentiality pursuant to the provisions of section 18-1-417, C.R.S., between the defendant
and trial counsel but only with respect to the information that is related to the defendant's claim of
ineffective assistance.
(3) Neither the defendant nor the prosecution may file a motion for reconsideration or
rehearing of the trial court's ruling on the motion for postconviction review. The granting or denying
of a motion for postconviction review under this section is a final order reviewable on appeal by the
Colorado supreme court.
16-12-207. Supreme court - appeal - filing of notice. (1) (a) If the defendant waives his
16-12-208. Supreme court - rules. (1) No later than January 1, 1998, the Colorado supreme
court shall adopt rules to establish procedures, including time limits, for the postconviction review
and unitary appeal process created by this part 2.
(2) The rules adopted by the Colorado supreme court pursuant to subsection (1) of this
section shall address, but are not limited to:
(a) Filing and resolution of motions for new trial;
(b) The timing of the advisement hearing described in section 16-12-204 (2);
(c) The preparation of transcripts for postconviction review and unitary appeal;
(d) Filing and resolution of motions for postconviction review, including but not limited to
provisions for determining whether evidentiary hearings are necessary to resolve such motions;
(e) Reciprocal discovery for the defendant and the prosecution during the postconviction
review process;
(f) Prompt access by new postconviction counsel to trial counsel's files and materials;
(g) Waiver of a defendant's right to postconviction review and appeal of a conviction and
sentence of death;
(h) Resolution of claims of ineffective assistance of counsel on direct appeal by way of a
petition for rehearing;
(i) Filing of notices of appeal in the supreme court;
(j) Certification of the appellate record to the supreme court;
(k) Filing of briefs in the supreme court;
(l) Establishment of expedited procedures for resolving second or subsequent requests for
relief filed by a defendant after conclusion of the process established by this part 2, including but not
limited to motions filed under section 16-12-209;
16-12-210. Severability. If any provision of this part 2 or the application of this part 2 to
any person or circumstance is held to be invalid or unconstitutional, such invalidity or
unconstitutionality shall not affect other provisions or applications of this part 2 that can be given
effect without the invalid or unconstitutional provision or application. Therefore, to this end, the
provisions of this part 2 are declared to be severable.
Special Proceedings
PART 1
PART 2
16-13-216. Powers and duties of the board. (1) (a) Within six months after a person is
committed pursuant to section 18-1.3-904, C.R.S., and at least once during each twelve months
thereafter, the board shall review all reports, records, and information concerning said person, for
the purpose of determining whether said person shall be paroled.
(b) The board shall, in each instance, make a written ruling and shall serve a copy of the
ruling upon the said person.
(2) The board is authorized and it is its duty to order the transfer of any person committed
pursuant to section 18-1.3-904, C.R.S., if the board deems it to be in the best interests of said person
and the public, to any facility under the jurisdiction of the department or to the department of human
services subject to the availability of staff and housing.
(3) The board is granted exclusive control over the parole and reparole of all persons
committed pursuant to section 18-1.3-904, C.R.S., regardless of the facility in which those persons
are confined.
(4) The board is authorized to parole and reparole, and to commit and recommit for violation
of parole, any person committed pursuant to section 18-1.3-904, C.R.S.
(5) The board is authorized to issue an absolute release to any person committed pursuant
to section 18-1.3-904, C.R.S., if the board deems it in the best interests of that person and the public
and that the person, if at large, would not constitute a threat of bodily harm to members of the public.
(6) Except as otherwise provided in this part 2, the board has all the powers conferred and
PART 3
16-13-301. Definitions. As used in this part 3, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) "Action to abate a public nuisance" means any action authorized by this part 3 to restrain,
remove, terminate, prevent, abate, or perpetually enjoin a public nuisance.
(2) "Building" means a structure which has the capacity to contain, and is designed for the
shelter of, man, animals, or property, including any house, office building, store, warehouse, or
structure of any kind, whether or not such building is permanently affixed to the ground upon which
it is situate, and any trailer, semitrailer, trailer coach, mobile home, or other vehicle designed or used
for occupancy by persons for any purpose.
(2.1) "Conviction" means a verdict of guilty by a judge or jury or a plea of guilty or nolo
contendere that is accepted by the court or adjudication for an offense that would constitute a
criminal offense if committed by an adult.
(2.2) "Drive-by crime" means a first degree assault as defined in section 18-3-202, C.R.S.,
second degree assault as defined in section 18-3-203, C.R.S., attempted first degree or second degree
assault, felony menacing as defined in section 18-3-206, C.R.S., or illegal discharge of a firearm as
defined in section 18-12-107.5, C.R.S., any of which is committed while utilizing a vehicle for
means of concealment or transportation.
(2.3) "Instrumental" means a substantial connection exists between the property and the
public nuisance act.
(2.4) "Proceeds traceable" or "traceable proceeds" means all property, real and personal,
corporeal and incorporeal, which is proceeds attributable to, derived from, or realized through,
directly or indirectly, a public nuisance act, whether proved by direct, circumstantial, or documentary
evidence. There shall be no requirement of showing a trail of documentary evidence to trace
proceeds provided that the standard of proof by clear and convincing evidence is met.
(2.5) "Public nuisance act" means any of the crimes, offenses, or violations set forth in
section 16-13-303 (1) (a) to (1) (n), regardless of the location where the act occurred.
(2.6) "Real property" means all lands and franchises and interests in land located within this
state, including water rights, mineral rights, oil and gas rights, space rights, condominium rights, and
air rights, and any and all other things usually included within said term. "Real property" includes
any and all interests in such property less than full title, such as easements, incorporeal
hereditaments, and every estate, interest, or right, legal or equitable.
(2.7) "Seizing agency" means any agency that is charged with the enforcement of the laws
of this state, of any other state, or of the United States and that has participated in a seizure or has
been substantially involved in effecting a forfeiture through the development of evidence underlying
the claim for forfeiture or through legal representation pursuant to this part 3. The department of
corrections, the division of parks and wildlife in the department of natural resources, and a
16-13-302. Public nuisances - policy. (1) It is the policy of the general assembly that every
public nuisance shall be restrained, prevented, abated, and perpetually enjoined. It is the duty of the
district attorney in each judicial district of this state to bring and maintain an action, pursuant to the
provisions of this part 3, to restrain, prevent, abate, and perpetually enjoin any such public nuisance
and to seek the forfeiture of property as provided in this part 3. The general assembly intends that
proceedings under this part 3 be remedial and equitable in nature. Nothing contained in this part 3
shall be construed as an amendment or repeal of any of the criminal laws of this state, but the
provisions of this part 3, insofar as they relate to those laws, shall be considered a cumulative right
of the people in the enforcement of such laws. The provisions of this part 3 shall not be construed
to limit or preempt the powers of any court or political subdivision to abate or control nuisances.
(2) It is also the policy of the general assembly that asset forfeiture pursuant to this part 3
shall be carried out pursuant to the following:
(a) Generation of revenue shall not be the primary purpose of asset forfeiture.
(b) No prosecutor's or law enforcement officer's employment or level of salary shall depend
upon the frequency of seizures or forfeitures which such person achieves.
(c) All seizures of real property pursuant to this part 3 shall be made pursuant to a temporary
restraining order or injunction based upon a judicial finding of probable cause.
(d) Each seizing agency shall have policies and procedures for the expeditious release of
seized property which is not subject to forfeiture pursuant to this part 3, when such release is
appropriate.
(e) Each seizing agency retaining forfeited property for official law enforcement use shall
ensure that the property is subject to controls consistent with controls which are applicable to
property acquired through the normal appropriations process.
(f) Each seizing agency which receives forfeiture proceeds shall conform with reporting,
audit, and disposition procedures enumerated in this article.
(g) Each seizing agency shall prohibit its employees from purchasing forfeited property.
16-13-303. Class 1 public nuisance. (1) Every building or part of a building including the
ground upon which it is situate and all fixtures and contents thereof, every vehicle, and any real
property shall be deemed a class 1 public nuisance when:
(a) Used as a public or private place of prostitution or used as a place where the commission
of soliciting for prostitution, as defined in section 18-7-202, C.R.S.; pandering, as defined in section
18-7-203, C.R.S.; keeping a place of prostitution, as defined in section 18-7-204, C.R.S.; pimping,
as defined in section 18-7-206, C.R.S.; or human trafficking, as described in section 18-3-503 or 18-
3-504, C.R.S., occurs;
(5.1) (a) In any action to forfeit property pursuant to this part 3, the plaintiff, in addition to
any other matter which must be proven in the plaintiff's case in chief, shall prove by clear and
convincing evidence that possession of the property is unlawful or that the owner of the property was
a party to the creation of the public nuisance. The plaintiff shall also prove by clear and convincing
evidence that the property was instrumental in the commission or facilitation of a crime creating a
public nuisance or the property constitutes traceable proceeds of the crime or related criminal
activity.
(a.5) (I) The defendant in an action brought pursuant to this part 3 may petition the court to
determine whether a forfeiture was constitutionally excessive. Upon the conclusion of a trial
resulting in a judgment of forfeiture in an action brought pursuant to this part 3, if the evidence
presented raises an issue of proportionality under this paragraph (a.5), the defendant may petition
the court to set a hearing, or the court may on its own motion set a hearing, to determine whether a
forfeiture was constitutionally excessive. This determination shall be made prior to any sale or
distribution of forfeited property.
(II) In making this determination, the court shall compare the forfeiture to the gravity of the
public nuisance act giving rise to the forfeiture and related criminal activity.
(III) The defendant shall have the burden of establishing by a preponderance of the evidence
that the forfeiture is grossly disproportional.
(IV) If the court finds that the forfeiture is grossly disproportional to the public nuisance act
and related criminal activity, it shall reduce or eliminate the forfeiture as necessary to avoid a
violation of the excessive fines clause of the eighth amendment of the United States constitution or
article II, section 20, of the Colorado constitution.
(V) and (VI) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2003, p. 889, § 1, effective July 1, 2003.)
(b) As used in paragraph (a) of this subsection (5.1), an owner was a "party to the creation
of the public nuisance" if it is established that:
(I) The owner was involved in the public nuisance act; or
(II) (A) The owner knew of the public nuisance act or had notice of the acts creating the
public nuisance or prior similar conduct.
(B) Notwithstanding the provisions of sub-subparagraph (A) of this subparagraph (II), if the
plaintiff proves by clear and convincing evidence the owner knew or had notice of the public
nuisance, the owner must prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the owner took reasonable
steps to prohibit or abate the unlawful use of the property for the court to find the owner was not a
party to the creation of the public nuisance.
(5.2) (a) With respect to a partial or whole ownership interest in existence at the time the
conduct constituting a public nuisance took place, "innocent owner" means any owner who:
(I) Did not have actual knowledge of the conduct constituting a public nuisance, or notice
16-13-304. Class 2 public nuisance. (1) The following are deemed to be a class 2 public
nuisance:
(a) Any place where people congregate, which encourages a disturbance of the peace, or
where the conduct of persons in or about that place is such as to annoy or disturb the peace of the
occupants of or persons attending such place, or the residents in the vicinity, or the passersby on the
public street or highway; or
(b) Any public or private place or premises which encourages professional gambling,
unlawful use, sale, or distribution of imitation controlled substances, as defined in section 18-18-420
(3), C.R.S., drugs, controlled substances, as defined in section 18-18-102 (5), C.R.S., or other drugs
the possession of which is an offense under the laws of this state, furnishing or selling intoxicating
liquor to minors, furnishing or selling fermented malt beverages to persons under the age of twenty-
one, solicitation for prostitution, or traffic in stolen property; or
(b.5) Any public or private place or premises used for soliciting by means of a prerecorded
message in violation of section 18-9-311 (1), C.R.S.; or
(c) Any public or private place used for a purpose declared to be a class 2 public nuisance
by any other statute of this state.
16-13-305. Class 3 public nuisance. (1) The following are a class 3 public nuisance:
(a) The conducting or maintaining of any business, occupation, operation, or activity
prohibited by a statute of this state; or
(b) The continuous or repeated conducting or maintaining of any business, occupation,
operation, activity, building, land, or premises in violation of a statute of this state; or
(c) Any building, structure, or land open to or used by the general public, the condition of
which presents a substantial danger or hazard to public health or safety; or
(d) Any dilapidated building of whatever kind which is unused by the owner, or uninhabited
because of deterioration or decay, which condition constitutes a fire hazard, or subjects adjoining
property to danger of damage by storm, soil erosion, or rodent infestation, or which becomes a place
frequented by trespassers and transients seeking a temporary hideout or shelter; or
(e) Any unlawful pollution or contamination of any surface or subsurface waters in this state,
16-13-306. Class 4 public nuisance. If any person carries on or practices any profession or
calling or operates any business required to be licensed by the laws of the state of Colorado without
first procuring a license therefor, or carries on or practices such profession or calling or operates such
business after the license therefor required by the laws of the state of Colorado has been lawfully
cancelled or revoked, the carrying on or practicing of such profession or calling, or the operation of
such business without a license is a class 4 public nuisance and may be restrained and abated.
16-13-307. Jurisdiction - venue - parties - process. (1) The several district courts of this
state shall have original jurisdiction of proceedings under this part 3.
(1.5) No judgment of forfeiture of property in any forfeiture proceeding shall be entered
unless and until an owner of the property is convicted of an offense listed in section 16-13-301 or
16-13-303, or a lesser included offense of an eligible offense if the conviction is the result of a
negotiated guilty plea. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require the conviction to be
obtained in the same jurisdiction as the jurisdiction in which the forfeiture action is brought. In the
event criminal charges arising from the same activity giving rise to the forfeiture proceedings are
filed against any individual claiming an interest in the property subject to the forfeiture proceeding,
the trial and discovery phases of the forfeiture proceeding shall be stayed by the court until the
disposition of the criminal charges. A stay shall not be maintained during an appeal or post-
conviction proceeding challenging a criminal conviction. Nothing in this section shall be construed
to prohibit or prevent the parties from contemporaneously resolving criminal charges and a forfeiture
proceeding arising from the same activity.
(1.6) Upon acquittal or dismissal of a criminal action against a person named in a forfeiture
action related to the criminal action, unless the forfeiture action was brought pursuant to one or more
of paragraphs (a) to (f) of subsection (1.7) of this section, the forfeiture claim shall be dismissed and
the seized property shall be returned as respects the subject matter property or interest therein of that
person, if the case has been adjudicated as to all other claims, interests, and owners, unless
possession of the property is illegal. If the forfeiture action is dismissed or judgment is entered in
(c) If the plaintiff proves by clear and convincing evidence that the property was instrumental
in the commission of an offense listed in section 16-13-303 (1) or that the property is traceable
proceeds of the offense or related criminal activity by a nonowner and the plaintiff proves by clear
and convincing evidence that an owner is not an innocent owner pursuant to section 16-13-303 (5.2)
(a), a judgment of forfeiture may be entered without a criminal conviction of an owner.
(d) If an owner of the property who was involved in the public nuisance act or conduct
giving rise to the claim of forfeiture subsequently dies, and was not an innocent owner pursuant to
section 16-13-303 (5.2) (a), a judgment of forfeiture may be entered without a criminal conviction
of an owner.
(e) If an owner received a deferred judgment, deferred sentence, or participated in a
diversion program, or in the case of a juvenile a deferred adjudication or deferred sentence or
participated in a diversion program for the offense, a judgment of forfeiture may be entered without
a criminal conviction.
(f) A defendant or claimant shall be permitted to waive the requirement of a criminal
conviction in order to settle a forfeiture action.
(1.8) Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the temporary seizure of property for
evidentiary, investigatory, or protective purposes.
(2) An action to abate a public nuisance shall be brought in the county in which the subject
matter of the action, or some part thereof, is located or found or in the county where the public
(13) Unknown persons who may claim an interest in the property, persons whose
whereabouts are unknown despite a diligent good faith search, and persons upon whom the plaintiff
has been unable to effect service as otherwise provided in the Colorado rules of civil procedure
despite diligent good faith efforts may be served pursuant to a court order by publishing a copy of
a summons twice in a newspaper of general circulation. The summons shall describe the property
and state where the complaint and attendant documents may be obtained, and a party shall have
thirty-five days after the last publication date to respond.
16-13-309. Judgment - relief. (1) The judgment in an action to abate a public nuisance may
include a permanent injunction to restrain, abate, and prevent the continuance or recurrence of the
nuisance and an order directing the confiscation and forfeiture of property. The court may grant
declaratory relief, mandatory orders, or any other relief deemed necessary to accomplish the purposes
16-13-310. Redelivery of seized premises. (1) If the owner of a building, a place, or any
real property seized and closed as a class 1 public nuisance has not been guilty of any contempt of
court in the proceedings, and appears and pays all costs, fees, and allowances which are declared by
this section to be a lien on the building, place, or real property, and files a bond in the amount fixed
by the court not to exceed the full value of said property, with sureties to be approved by the court,
conditioned that he will immediately abate any such nuisance that exists at the building, place, or
real property and prevent the same from being established or kept thereat within a period of one year
thereafter, the court, if satisfied of his good faith and satisfied that such owner had not conducted,
used, maintained, or knowingly permitted the conducting, using, or maintaining of such public
nuisance, may order the building, place, or real property to be delivered to said owner and the order
of abatement cancelled so far as the same relates to said property. If any property is found not to be
a public nuisance pursuant to this part 3 or if said property fits the description of property specified
in section 16-13-303 (2) and (3) and the property is not subject to forfeiture or an affirmative defense
has been proven, said property shall be released to the owner without conditions. The release of the
property under the provisions of this section shall not release it from any judgment, lien, penalty, or
liability to which it is subject by law.
16-13-311. Disposition of seized personal property. (1) Any personal property subject to
seizure, confiscation, forfeiture, or destruction under the provisions of this part 3, and which is
seized as a part of or incident to proceedings under this part 3 for which disposition is not provided
by another statute of this state, shall be disposed of as provided in this section.
(2) Any such property which is required by law to be destroyed, or the possession of which
is illegal, or which in the opinion of the court is not properly the subject of a sale may be destroyed
pursuant to a warrant for the destruction of personal property issued by the court and directed to the
sheriff of the proper county or any peace officer and returned by the sheriff or peace officer after
execution thereof. The court shall stay the execution of any such warrant during the period in which
the property is used as evidence in any pending criminal or civil proceeding.
(3) (a) If the prosecution prevails in the forfeiture action, the court shall order the property
forfeited. Such order shall perfect the state's right and interest in and title to such property and shall
relate back to the date when title to the property vested in the state pursuant to section 16-13-316.
Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (c) of this subsection (3), the court shall also order such
property to be sold at a public sale by the law enforcement agency in possession of the property in
the manner provided for sales on execution, or in another commercially reasonable manner. Property
forfeited under this section or proceeds therefrom shall be distributed or applied in the following
order:
(I) To payment of the balances due on any liens perfected on or before the date of seizure
preserved by the court in the forfeiture proceedings, in the order of their priority;
(II) To compensate an innocent partial owner for the fair market value of his or her interest
in the property;
(III) To any person who suffers bodily injury, property damage, or property loss as a result
of the conduct constituting a public nuisance that resulted in such forfeiture, if said person petitions
the court therefor prior to the hearing dividing the proceeds pursuant to this section and the court
finds that such person suffered said damages as a result of the subject acts that resulted in the
forfeiture;
(IV) To the law enforcement agency in possession of the property for reasonable fees and
costs of sale, maintenance, and storage of the property;
(V) To the district attorney for actual and reasonable expenses related to the costs of
16-13-313. Fees - costs and fines - lien and collection. (1) For removing and selling
personal property as provided in this part 3, the sheriff shall be entitled to charge and receive the
same fees as he would for levying upon and selling like property on execution.
(2) For seizing and closing any building, premises, or vehicle as provided in this part 3, or
for performing other duties pursuant to the direction of the court pursuant to the provisions of this
part 3, the sheriff shall be entitled to a reasonable sum fixed by the court, in addition to the actual
16-13-314. Disposition of forfeited real property. (1) In an action to abate a class 1 public
nuisance, if the court finds that such class 1 public nuisance exists and that the same has been
conducted, used, or maintained by the owner of a building, place, or any real property seized and
closed as a class 1 public nuisance, or that the nuisance has been conducted, used, or maintained by
any person with the actual knowledge and consent of the owner, a permanent order of abatement
shall be entered as a part of the judgment in the case. The order of abatement shall direct the sheriff
to sell such building or place and the ground upon which such building or place is situate or any
other real property, to the extent of the interest of such owner therein, at public sale in the manner
provided for sales of property upon execution. In no event shall real property that is neither proceeds
of nor part of the same lot or tract of land used for the public nuisance act that was the underlying
subject matter of the public nuisance action, be subject to seizure and forfeiture, excepting access
and egress routes.
(2) The proceeds of such sale shall be applied in the same manner and priority as enumerated
in section 16-13-311 (3).
(3) It is the intent of the general assembly that moneys allocated to a seizing agency pursuant
to subsection (2) of this section shall not be considered a source of revenue to meet normal operating
needs.
(4) If more than one seizing agency was substantially involved in effecting the forfeiture, the
agencies shall enter into a stipulation with regard to costs incurred by the agencies and the percentage
of any remaining proceeds to be deposited for the benefit of the agencies. Upon the filing by such
agencies of such stipulation with the court, the court shall order the proceeds so distributed. If the
agencies are unable to reach an agreement, the court shall take testimony and equitably distribute the
proceeds.
16-13-315. Seizure of personal property. (1) Any personal property subject to seizure,
confiscation, or forfeiture under the provisions of this part 3 may be seized:
(a) Pursuant to any writ, order, or injunction issued under the provisions of this part 3; or
(b) Under the authority of a search warrant; or
(c) By any peace officer or agent of a seizing agency with probable cause to believe that such
property is a public nuisance or otherwise subject to confiscation and forfeiture under this part 3 if
the seizure is incident to a lawful search or arrest.
(2) The provisions of this section shall not be construed to limit or forbid the seizure of any
such personal property in any manner now or hereafter required, authorized, or permitted by law.
(3) If a rental motor vehicle is seized pursuant to this part 3, the seizing agency shall notify
16-13-316. Prior liens not subject to forfeiture - vesting of title. (1) Nothing in this part
3 shall be construed in such manner as to destroy the validity of a bona fide lien upon real or
personal property appearing of record prior to the seizure of personal property, prior to the filing of
a notice of seizure, as provided in subsection (3) of this section, prior to the filing of a notice of lis
pendens on real property, or prior to actual or constructive notice to the lienholder of the state's
potential claim of public nuisance.
(2) Title to real or personal property subject to forfeiture pursuant to the provisions of this
section shall vest in the state and the seizing agency at the earliest of: For currency, the time of the
commission of the public nuisance act; the time of the physical seizure of said property, except for
real property; the time of filing of a notice of seizure, as provided in subsection (3) of this section;
the time of the filing of a notice of lis pendens on real property; or the time of the issuance of court
process for seizure of property, as against anyone with prior actual notice thereof.
(3) Before or after the commencement of litigation regarding a vehicle or real property for
which seizure or forfeiture is sought, the prosecuting attorney or seizing agency shall file a notice
of seizure with the office of the clerk and recorder in the county where the property is located. A
notice of seizure for real property shall expire within seventy days after filing unless an action is filed
in court for abatement or forfeiture, under this part 3 or other applicable law. A notice of seizure
shall contain: A description of the property for which seizure or forfeiture is being sought, including
the street address and legal description for real property and the make, model, year, license number,
and vehicle identification number for a vehicle; the date and location of the seizure if the property
has already been seized; the identity of the seizing agency and prosecuting attorney; and the name
of any person who is an owner of record or registered owner of the property or who is known to
have, or who has asserted an interest in, the property. The notice of seizure shall also contain a
statement giving notice that seizure or forfeiture of the property may be sought pursuant to this part
3, or other applicable law, and that any interest acquired in the property after the filing of the notice
of the seizure will be subject to the forfeiture action in the event the property is forfeited.
PART 4
PART 5
16-13-501. Short title. This part 5 shall be known and may be cited as the "Colorado
Contraband Forfeiture Act".
16-13-501.5. Legislative declaration. (1) It is the intent of the general assembly that
proceedings under this part 5 be remedial in nature and designed to benefit the public good by
appropriating contraband property for use by law enforcement.
(2) It is also the policy of the general assembly that asset forfeiture pursuant to this part 5
shall be carried out pursuant to the following:
(a) Generation of revenue shall not be the primary purpose of asset forfeiture.
(b) No prosecutor's or law enforcement officer's employment or level of salary shall depend
upon the frequency of seizures or forfeitures which such person achieves.
(c) Each seizing agency shall have policies and procedures for the expeditious release of
seized property which is not subject to forfeiture pursuant to this part 5, when such release is
appropriate.
(d) Each seizing agency retaining forfeited property for official law enforcement use shall
ensure that the property is subject to controls consistent with controls which are applicable to
property acquired through the normal appropriations process.
(e) Each seizing agency which receives forfeiture proceeds shall conform with reporting,
audit, and disposition procedures enumerated in this article.
(f) Each seizing agency shall prohibit its employees from purchasing forfeited property.
16-13-502. Definitions. As used in this part 5, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) "Contraband article" means any controlled substance, as defined in section 18-18-102
(5), C.R.S., any other drug the possession of which is an offense under the laws of this state, any
imitation controlled substance, as defined in section 18-18-420 (3), C.R.S., or any drug
paraphernalia, as defined in section 18-18-426, C.R.S.
(1.5) "Conviction" means a verdict of guilty by a judge or jury or a plea of guilty or nolo
contendere that is accepted by the court or adjudication for an offense that would constitute a
criminal offense if committed by an adult.
(1.7) "Instrumental" means a substantial connection exists between the property and the
unlawful use of the property.
(1.8) "Proceeds traceable" or "traceable proceeds" means all property, real and personal,
corporeal and incorporeal, which is proceeds attributable to, derived from, or realized through,
16-13-503. Subject acts. (1) The following acts are subject to this part 5:
(a) Engaging in the unlawful manufacture, cultivation, growth, production, processing, or
distribution for sale of, or sale of, or storing or possessing for any unlawful manufacture or
distribution for sale of, or for sale of, any controlled substance, as defined in section 18-18-102 (5),
C.R.S., any other drug the possession of which is an offense under the laws of this state, or any
imitation controlled substance, as defined in section 18-18-420 (3), C.R.S.;
(b) Engaging in the unlawful manufacture, sale, or distribution of drug paraphernalia, as
defined in section 18-18-426, C.R.S.;
(c) Transporting, carrying, or conveying any contraband article in, upon, or by means of any
vehicle for the purpose of sale, storage, or possession of such contraband article;
(d) Concealing or possessing any contraband article in or upon any vehicle for the purpose
of sale of such contraband article;
(e) Using any vehicle to facilitate the transportation, carriage, conveyance, concealment,
receipt, possession, or purchase for sale of any contraband article, or the sale, barter, exchange, or
giving away of any contraband article; and
(f) Concealing or possessing any contraband article for the purpose of sale.
(2) Mere possession of less than sixteen ounces of marijuana shall not be an act subject to
the provisions of this part 5.
(2.1) (a) In any action to forfeit property pursuant to this part 5, the plaintiff, in addition to
any other matter which must be proven in the plaintiff's case in chief, shall prove by clear and
convincing evidence that possession of the property is unlawful, or that the owner of the property
or interest therein was involved in or knew of the subject act. The plaintiff shall also prove by clear
and convincing evidence that the property was instrumental in the commission or facilitation of the
crime or the property constitutes traceable proceeds of the crime or related criminal activity.
(a.5) (I) The claimant in an action brought pursuant to this part 5 may petition the court to
determine whether a forfeiture was constitutionally excessive. Upon the conclusion of a trial
resulting in a judgment of forfeiture in an action brought pursuant to this part 5, if the evidence
presented raises an issue of proportionality under this paragraph (a.5), the defendant may petition
the court to set a hearing, or the court may on its own motion set a hearing to determine whether a
(b) As used in paragraph (a) of this subsection (2.1), an owner was "involved in or knew of
the subject act" if it is established that:
(I) The owner was involved in the subject act; or
(II) (A) The owner knew of the subject act or had notice of the acts facilitating the criminal
activity or prior similar conduct and failed to take reasonable steps to prohibit or abate the illegal use
of the property;
(B) Notwithstanding the provisions of sub-subparagraph (A) of this subparagraph (II), if the
plaintiff proves by clear and convincing evidence that the owner knew or had notice of the unlawful
use of the property, the owner must prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the owner took
reasonable steps to prohibit or abate the unlawful use of the property for the court to find the owner
was not a party to the offense or related criminal activity.
(2.2) (a) With respect to a partial or whole ownership interest in existence at the time the
conduct subjecting the property to seizure took place, the term "innocent owner" means any owner
who:
(I) Did not have actual knowledge of the conduct subjecting the property to seizure or notice
of an act or circumstance facilitating the criminal activity or prior similar conduct, notice being
satisfied by, but not limited to, sending notice of an act or circumstance facilitating the criminal
activity by certified mail; or
(II) Upon learning of the conduct subjecting the property to seizure, took reasonable steps
to prohibit the conduct. An owner may demonstrate that he or she took reasonable action to prohibit
such conduct if the owner:
(A) Timely revoked or attempted to revoke permission for those engaging in such conduct
to use the property; or
(B) Took reasonable actions to discourage or prevent the use of the property in conduct
subjecting the property to seizure.
(b) With respect to a partial or whole ownership interest acquired after the conduct
subjecting the property to seizure has occurred, the term "innocent owner" means a person who, at
the time he or she acquired the interest in the property, had no knowledge that the illegal conduct
subjecting the property to seizure had occurred or that the property had been seized for forfeiture,
and:
(I) Acquired an interest in the property in a bona fide transaction for value;
16-13-505. Forfeiture proceedings. (1) The several district courts of this state shall have
original jurisdiction in proceedings under this part 5.
(1.5) No judgment of forfeiture of property in any forfeiture proceeding shall be entered
unless and until an owner of the property is convicted of an offense involving the conduct listed in
section 16-13-503, or a lesser included offense of an eligible offense if the conviction is the result
of a negotiated guilty plea. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require the conviction to be
obtained in the same jurisdiction as the jurisdiction in which the forfeiture action is brought. In the
event criminal charges arising from the same activity giving rise to the forfeiture proceedings are
filed against any individual claiming an interest in the property subject to the forfeiture proceeding,
the trial and discovery phases of the forfeiture proceeding shall be stayed by the court until the
disposition of the criminal charges. A stay shall not be maintained during an appeal or post-
conviction proceeding challenging a criminal conviction. Nothing in this section shall be construed
to prohibit or prevent the parties from contemporaneously resolving criminal charges and a forfeiture
proceeding arising from the same activity.
(1.6) Upon acquittal or dismissal of a criminal action against a person named in a forfeiture
action related to the criminal action, unless the forfeiture action was brought pursuant to one or more
of paragraphs (a) to (f) of subsection (1.7) of this section, the forfeiture claim shall be dismissed and
the seized property shall be returned as respects the subject matter property or interest therein of that
person, if the case has been adjudicated as to all other claims, interests, and owners, unless
possession of the property is illegal. If the forfeiture action is dismissed or judgment is entered in
favor of the claimant, the claimant shall not be subject to any monetary charges by the state for
storage of the property or expenses incurred in the preservation of the property, unless at the time
of dismissal the plaintiff shows that those expenses would have been incurred to prevent waste of
the property even if it had not been seized.
(1.7) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (1.5) of this section:
(a) (I) A person shall lack standing for and shall be disallowed from pursuit of a claim or
(c) If the plaintiff proves by clear and convincing evidence that the property was instrumental
in the commission of an offense listed in section 16-13-503 (1) or that the property is traceable
proceeds of the offense or related criminal activity by a nonowner and the plaintiff proves by clear
and convincing evidence that an owner is not an innocent owner pursuant to section 16-13-504 (2.2),
a judgment of forfeiture may be entered without a criminal conviction of an owner.
(d) If an owner of the property who was involved in the public nuisance act or conduct
giving rise to the claim of forfeiture subsequently dies, and was not an innocent owner pursuant to
section 16-13-504 (2.2), a judgment of forfeiture may be entered without a criminal conviction of
an owner.
(e) If an owner received a deferred judgment, deferred sentence, or participated in a
diversion program, or in the case of a juvenile a deferred adjudication or deferred sentence or
participated in a diversion program for the offense, a judgment of forfeiture may be entered without
a criminal conviction.
(f) A defendant or claimant shall be permitted to waive the requirement of a criminal
conviction in order to settle a forfeiture action.
(2) (a) The prosecuting attorney shall file a petition in forfeiture to perfect title in seized
contraband property no later than sixty-three days after the seizure. The prosecuting attorney may
file the petition after the expiration of sixty-three days from the date of seizure only if the petition
is accompanied by a written statement of good cause for the late filing. The sixty-three-day time
limitation established by this paragraph (a) shall not apply where the seizure of the property occurred
pursuant to a warrant authorizing such seizure or otherwise under any statute or rule of criminal
procedure if the property is held as evidence in a pending criminal investigation or in a pending
criminal case. The petition shall be accompanied by a supporting affidavit, and both shall describe
the property seized with reasonable particularity and shall include a list of witnesses to be called in
support of the claim for forfeiture, including the addresses and telephone numbers thereof.
16-13-506. Final order - disposition of property. (1) If the prosecution prevails in the
forfeiture action, the court shall order the property forfeited and perfect the state's right and interest
in and title to such property. The court shall also order such property to be sold at public sale by the
law enforcement agency in possession of the property in the manner provided for sales on execution
or in another commercially reasonable manner. The proceeds of sale shall be applied in the manner
and priority enumerated in section 16-13-311. The order for sale shall perfect the state's right and
interest in and title to the property and shall relate back to the date when title to the property vested
in the state pursuant to section 16-13-316.
(2) In the event that the seizing agency is a state agency, proceeds allocated to such agency
pursuant to subsection (1) of this section shall be distributed directly to said state agency.
(3) It is the intent of the general assembly that moneys allocated to a seizing agency pursuant
to subsection (1) of this section shall not be considered a source of revenue to meet normal operating
needs.
(4) If more than one seizing agency was substantially involved in effecting the forfeiture, the
agencies shall enter into a stipulation with regard to costs incurred by the agencies and the percentage
of any remaining proceeds which shall be deposited for the benefit of the agencies, and, upon filing
such stipulation with the court, the court shall order the proceeds so distributed. If the agencies are
unable to reach an agreement, the court shall take testimony and equitably distribute the proceeds
according to the formula set out in subsection (1) of this section.
(4.5) If the court finds that a vehicle or personal property forfeited pursuant to this part 5 can
be used for law enforcement purposes by a seizing agency, the court shall order that the vehicle or
personal property be delivered to the agency instead of sold. If more than one seizing agency was
substantially involved in effecting the forfeiture, the priority for receiving such vehicle or personal
property shall be established by stipulation pursuant to subsection (4) of this section.
(5) Any forfeited money or currency shall be in addition to the proceeds obtained from sale
of forfeited personalty and shall be equitably distributed pursuant to subsection (1) of this section.
(6) Upon the sale of any vehicle, the state shall issue a certificate of title to the purchaser
thereof.
(7) In any order issued by the court pursuant to subsections (1) and (4) of this section, the
court shall only order the amounts to be distributed and to whom, and the courts shall not have the
power to dictate the use for which the moneys are to be appropriated, employed, received, or
expended by the seizing agency or injured person.
(8) (a) (Deleted by amendment, L. 92, p. 450, § 5, effective July 1, 1992.)
(b) Repealed.
16-13-508. Forfeitures. Notwithstanding anything contained in this part 5, this part 5 shall
not be construed as an amendment or repeal of any of the criminal laws of this state, but the
provisions of this part 5, insofar as they relate to those laws, shall be considered a cumulative right
of the people in the enforcement of such laws. Nothing in this part 5 shall be construed to limit or
preempt the powers of any court or political subdivision to abate or control public nuisances, and this
part 5 shall be an additional remedy in those situations where an action could be brought under part
3 of this article.
PART 6
RECEIPT OF FEDERALLY
FORFEITED PROPERTY
16-13-601. Receipt of federally forfeited property. Any agency charged with the
enforcement of the laws of this state, including the Colorado National Guard when participating in
operations pursuant to the drug interdiction and enforcement plan required by part 13 of article 3 of
title 28, C.R.S., is authorized to accept, receive, dispose of, and expend the property or proceeds
from any property forfeited to the federal government and allocated to such agency by the United
States attorney general pursuant to 21 U.S.C. sec. 881 (e). Such revenues shall be in addition to the
moneys appropriated to such law enforcement agency by the general assembly or any unit of local
government. Said property or proceeds may be credited to any lawfully created fund designated to
receive proceeds of forfeitures. Any proceeds received pursuant to this section are exempt from the
distribution requirements of section 16-13-311 (3) (a).
PART 7
16-13-701. Reporting of forfeited property. (1) Any provision of law to the contrary
notwithstanding, the elected district attorney for each judicial district shall file an annual forfeiture
report on or before April 1 for the previous calendar year. Such report shall include:
(a) A description of all property that was the subject of a forfeiture action filed in the judicial
district, including the forfeiture case number;
16-13-702. Disposition of forfeited property. (1) No forfeited property shall be used nor
shall any forfeited proceeds be expended by any seizing agency to whom section 16-13-701 (1)
applies unless such use or expenditure has been approved by a committee on disposition of forfeited
property which is created in subsection (2) of this section.
(2) There is hereby created, for each seizing agency, a committee on disposition of forfeited
property. The committee on disposition of forfeited property shall meet as necessary to approve the
use of forfeited property or the expenditure of forfeited proceeds by the seizing agency.
(3) The composition of the committee for a seizing agency shall, at a minimum, include the
district attorney of the judicial district having jurisdiction over the forfeited property, or a designee
of such district attorney; the head of the seizing agency, or the designee of such person; and a
representative of the governmental body having budgetary authority over the seizing agency
appointed by the governmental body. The required members of the committee may select other
members to serve on the committee by unanimous agreement.
PART 8
PART 9
16-13-901. Legislative declaration. The general assembly hereby finds that persons who
are convicted of offenses involving unlawful sexual behavior and who are identified as sexually
violent predators pose a high enough level of risk to the community that persons in the community
should receive notification concerning the identity of these sexually violent predators. The general
assembly also recognizes the high potential for vigilantism that often results from community
notification and the dangerous potential that the fear of such vigilantism will drive a sex offender
to disappear and attempt to live without supervision. The general assembly therefore finds that sex
offender notification should only occur in cases involving a high degree of risk to the community
and should only occur under carefully controlled circumstances that include providing additional
16-13-902. Definitions. As used in this part 9, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) "Department" means the department of corrections created in section 24-1-128.5, C.R.S.
(2) "Management board" means the sex offender management board created in section 16-
11.7-103.
(3) "Parole board" means the state board of parole created in section 17-2-201, C.R.S.
(4) "Sex offender" means a person sentenced pursuant to part 10 of article 1.3 of title 18,
C.R.S.
(5) "Sexually violent predator" means a sex offender who is identified as a sexually violent
predator pursuant to section 18-3-414.5, C.R.S., or who is found to be a sexually violent predator
or its equivalent in any other state or jurisdiction, including but not limited to a military or federal
jurisdiction. For purposes of this subsection (5), "equivalent", with respect to an offender found to
be a sexually violent predator or its equivalent, means a sex offender convicted in another state or
jurisdiction, including but not limited to a military, tribal, territorial, or federal jurisdiction, who has
been assessed or labeled at the highest registration and notification levels in the jurisdiction where
the conviction was entered and who satisfies the age, date of offense, and conviction requirements
for sexually violent predator status pursuant to Colorado law.
(6) "Technical assistance team" means the group of persons established by the division of
criminal justice pursuant to section 16-13-906 to assist local law enforcement in carrying out
community notification and to provide general community education concerning sex offenders.
16-13-904. Sex offender management board - duties. (1) The management board, in
collaboration with the department of corrections, the judicial department, and the parole board, shall
establish and revise when necessary:
(a) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2006, p. 1312, § 4, effective May 30, 2006.)
(b) Criteria to be applied by a local law enforcement agency in determining when to carry
out a community notification;
(c) Protocols and procedures for carrying out community notification.
(2) The management board shall collaborate with the technical assistance team in
establishing the protocols and procedures for carrying out community notification. Such protocols
and procedures shall be designed to ensure that notice is provided in a manner that is as specific as
possible to the population within the community that is at risk. Such protocols and procedures shall
also include provision to the community of general information and education concerning sex
offenders, including treatment and supervision of sex offenders, and procedures to attempt to
minimize the risk of vigilantism.
(3) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2006, p. 1312, § 4, effective May 30, 2006.)
16-13-905. Local law enforcement - duties - immunity. (1) The local law enforcement
agency for the jurisdiction in which a sexually violent predator who is subject to community
notification resides shall be responsible for carrying out any community notification regarding said
sexually violent predator. Such community notification shall only occur under the circumstances and
in the manner specified by the management board pursuant to section 16-13-904. The local law
enforcement agency may apply to the division of criminal justice for assistance from the technical
assistance team in carrying out any community notification.
(2) Nothing in this section shall be construed to abrogate or limit the sovereign immunity
granted to public entities pursuant to the "Colorado Governmental Immunity Act", article 10 of title
24, C.R.S.
16-13-906. Division of criminal justice - technical assistance team. (1) The division of
criminal justice of the department of public safety shall establish a technical assistance team to
provide assistance to local law enforcement agencies in carrying out community notification. The
technical assistance team shall include persons with expertise in sex offender management, sex
offender supervision, and law enforcement.
(2) The technical assistance team shall also be available upon request to assist communities
in providing general information concerning sex offenders, including treatment, management, and
supervision of sex offenders within society. Such education may be provided in situations that are
PART 10
16-13-1002. Resentencing hearing for persons serving life sentences without the
possibility of parole as the result of a direct file or transfer. (1) A person may petition the
sentencing court for a resentencing hearing if he or she was:
(a) A juvenile at the time of his or her offense;
(b) Convicted as an adult of a class 1 felony following direct filing of an information or
indictment in the district court pursuant to section 19-2-517, C.R.S., or transfer of proceedings to
the district court pursuant to section 19-2-518, C.R.S., or pursuant to either of these sections as they
existed prior to their repeal and reenactment, with amendments, by House Bill 96-1005; and
ARTICLE 14
16-14-101. Short title. This article shall be known and may be cited as the "Uniform
Mandatory Disposition of Detainers Act".
16-14-102. Request for disposition of untried complaint or information. (1) Any person
who is in the custody of the department of corrections pursuant to section 16-11-301 or parts 8 and
9 of article 1.3 of title 18, C.R.S., may request final disposition of any untried indictment,
information, or criminal complaint pending against him in this state. The request shall be in writing
addressed to the court in which the indictment, information, or criminal complaint is pending and
to the prosecuting official charged with the duty of prosecuting it and shall set forth the place of
confinement.
(2) It is the duty of the superintendent of the institution where the prisoner is confined to
promptly inform each prisoner, in writing, of the source and nature of any untried indictment,
information, or criminal complaint against him of which the superintendent has knowledge, and of
the prisoner's right to make a request for final disposition thereof.
(3) Failure of the superintendent of the institution where the prisoner is confined to inform
a prisoner, as required by subsection (2) of this section, within one year after a detainer from this
state has been filed with the institution where the prisoner is confined shall entitle the prisoner to a
dismissal with prejudice of the indictment, information, or criminal complaint.
16-14-104. Trial or dismissal. (1) Within one hundred eighty-two days after the receipt of
the request by the court and the prosecuting official, or within such additional time as the court for
good cause shown in open court may grant, the prisoner or the prisoner's counsel being present, the
indictment, information, or criminal complaint shall be brought to trial; but the parties may stipulate
for a continuance or a continuance may be granted on notice to the prisoner's attorney and
opportunity to be heard. If, after such a request, the indictment, information, or criminal complaint
is not brought to trial within that period, no court of this state shall any longer have jurisdiction
thereof, nor shall the untried indictment, information, or criminal complaint be of any further force
or effect, and the court shall dismiss it with prejudice.
(2) Any prisoner who requests disposition pursuant to section 16-14-102 may waive the right
to disposition within the time specified in subsection (1) of this section by express waiver on the
record after full advisement by the court. If a prisoner makes said waiver, the time for trial of the
indictment, information, or criminal complaint shall be extended as provided in section 18-1-405 (4),
C.R.S., concerning waiver of the right to speedy trial.
16-14-105. Escape voids request. Escape from custody by any prisoner subsequent to his
execution of a request for final disposition of an untried indictment, information, or criminal
complaint shall void the request.
16-14-106. Article does not apply. The provisions of this article do not apply to any person
determined to be mentally incompetent by a court of competent jurisdiction.
ARTICLE 15
16-15-101. Definitions. As used in this article, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) "Aggrieved person" means a person who was a party to any intercepted wire, oral, or
electronic communication or a person against whom the interception was directed.
(1.5) "Aural transfer" means a transfer containing the human voice at any point between and
including the point of origin and the point of reception.
(2) "Common carrier" means any person engaged as a common carrier for hire, in intrastate,
interstate, or foreign communication by wire or radio, or in intrastate, interstate, or foreign radio
transmission of energy.
(3) "Contents", when used with respect to any wire, oral, or electronic communication,
includes any information concerning the substance, purport, or meaning of that communication.
(3.3) "Electronic communication" means any transfer of signs, signals, writing, images,
sounds, data, or intelligence of any nature transmitted in whole or in part by a wire, radio,
electromagnetic, photoelectronic, or photooptical system that affects interstate or foreign commerce
but does not include:
(a) (Deleted by amendment, L. 97, p. 601, § 1, effective August 6, 1997.)
(b) Any wire or oral communication;
(c) Any communication made through a tone-only paging device; or
(d) Any communication from a tracking device.
(3.5) "Electronic communication service" means any service which provides to users thereof
the ability to send or receive wire or electronic communications.
(3.7) "Electronic communications system" means any wire, radio, electromagnetic,
photooptical, or photoelectronic facilities for the transmission of electronic communications and any
computer facilities or related electronic equipment for the electronic storage of such
communications.
(4) "Electronic, mechanical, or other device" means any device or apparatus which can be
used to intercept a wire, oral, or electronic communication, other than:
(a) Any telephone or telegraph instrument, equipment, or facility, or any component thereof,
furnished to the subscriber or user by a provider of wire or electronic communication service in the
ordinary course of its business and being used by the subscriber or user in the ordinary course of its
business, or furnished by such subscriber or user for connection to the facilities of such service and
(6) "Investigative or law enforcement officer" means any officer of the United States or of
the state of Colorado or a political subdivision thereof, who is empowered by law to conduct
investigations of, or to make arrests for, offenses enumerated in title 18, C.R.S., and any attorney
authorized by law to prosecute or participate in the prosecution of those offenses.
(7) "Judge of competent jurisdiction" means any justice of the supreme court of Colorado
and a judge of any district court of the state of Colorado.
(8) "Oral communication" means any oral communication uttered by any person believing
that such communication is not subject to interception, under circumstances justifying that belief,
but does not include any electronic communication.
(8.5) "Readily accessible to the general public" means, with respect to a radio
communication, that such communication is not:
(a) Scrambled or encrypted;
(b) Transmitted using modulation techniques having essential parameters withheld from the
public with the intention of preserving the privacy of such communication;
(c) Carried on a subcarrier or other signal subsidiary to a radio transmission;
(d) Transmitted over a communication system provided by a common carrier, unless the
communication is a tone-only paging system communication; or
(e) Transmitted on frequencies allocated under part 25, subpart D, E, or F of part 74, or part
94 of the rules of the federal communications commission, unless, in the case of a communication
transmitted on a frequency allocated under part 74 that is not exclusively allocated to broadcast
auxiliary services, the communication is a two-way voice communication by radio.
(8.6) "Tracking device" means an electronic or mechanical device which permits the tracking
of the movement of a person or object.
(8.7) "User" means any person or entity which uses an electronic communication service and
is duly authorized by the provider of such service to engage in such use.
(9) "Wire communication" means any aural transfer made in whole or in part through the
use of facilities for the transmission of communications by the aid of wire, cable, or other like
connection, including the use of such connection in a switching station, between the point of origin
and the point of reception, furnished or operated by any person engaged in providing or operating
16-15-103. Order may direct others to furnish assistance. An order authorizing the
interception of a wire, oral, or electronic communication shall, upon request of the applicant, direct
that a provider of wire or electronic communication service shall furnish the applicant forthwith all
information, facilities, and technical assistance necessary to accomplish the interception
unobtrusively and with a minimum of interference with the services that such service provider is
according the person whose communications are to be intercepted. Any provider of wire or electronic
communication service furnishing these facilities or technical assistance shall be compensated
therefor by the applicant for reasonable expenses incurred in providing such facilities or assistance.
16-15-104. Reports to state court administrator and attorney general. (1) All courts
having jurisdiction to issue orders under section 16-15-102 shall submit to the state court
administrator reports, as prescribed by the chief justice of the supreme court of Colorado, on the
number of applications for orders permitting wiretapping or eavesdropping, whether the applications
were granted or denied, the period for which an interception was authorized, and whether any
extensions were granted on the original order.
(2) (Deleted by amendment, L. 98, p. 726, § 6, effective May 18, 1998.)
(3) District attorneys shall report annually to the attorney general information as to the
number of applications made for orders permitting the interception of wire, oral, or electronic
communications; the offense specified in the order or application; the nature of the facilities from
which, or the place where, communications were to be intercepted; a general description of the
interceptions made under any order or extension, including the nature and frequency of incriminating
communications intercepted, the nature and frequency of other communications intercepted, the
number of persons whose communications were intercepted, and the nature, amount, and cost of the
manpower and other resources used in the interceptions; the number of arrests resulting from
ARTICLE 15.5
16-15.5-101. Definitions. As used in this article, unless the context otherwise requires:
ARTICLE 15.7
16-15.7-101. Legislative declaration. The general assembly finds that a significant number
of criminal offenders remain at large in this state because law enforcement agencies often lack
information concerning criminal activity. In many instances private citizens have information that,
if known to law enforcement agencies, would lead to the detection and apprehension of such
offenders. Private, nonprofit crime stopper organizations that offer rewards for such information
have been successful at encouraging some citizens to come forward; however, even with the offer
of a reward, many citizens do not come forward because they fear involvement and shun publicity.
In order to remedy this situation and to increase the effectiveness of crime stopper organizations, the
general assembly finds and declares that it is appropriate to provide for the anonymity of any person
who provides information concerning criminal activity to a crime stopper organization and to
provide for the confidentiality of crime stopper organization records.
16-15.7-102. Definitions. As used in this article, unless the context otherwise requires:
ARTICLE 15.8
Safe2tell Program
ARTICLE 16
16-16-101. Short title. This article shall be known and may be cited as the "Criminal
Sentencing Act of 1967".
16-16-102. Definitions. As used in this article, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) "Executive director" means the executive director of the department of corrections.
(2) "Facility" means any residential community treatment center, honor farm, preparole
release center, or other correctional facility.
(3) "Immediate family" means a spouse, child (including stepchild, adopted child, or child
as to whom the prisoner, though not a natural parent, has acted in the place of a parent), parent
(including a person who, though not a natural parent, has acted in the place of a parent), brother, or
sister.
(4) and (5) Repealed.
(6) "Warden" means the chief correctional officer at a correctional facility.
(III) The rates of pay, hours, and other conditions of employment will be substantially
comparable to those afforded others in the community for the performance of work of a similar
nature.
(3) (a) Any inmate who is allowed to participate in such paid employment or in such job
training for which a subsistence allowance is paid in connection with the job training shall pay over
to the executive director all moneys received from the paid employment or job training; except that
the inmate may retain that part of the moneys so received that the executive director deems necessary
for expenses connected with the employment or job training. These expenses shall include, but not
be limited to, travel expenses, food expenses, clothing, tools, and safety equipment.
(b) The remainder of the moneys shall be disbursed by the executive director for the
following purposes, in the order stated:
(I) To the state treasurer for the reasonable cost of the inmate's confinement as determined
by the executive director;
(II) The support of the inmate's dependents, if any;
(III) The payment, either in full or ratably, of the inmate's obligations acknowledged by him
in writing or which have been reduced to judgment;
(IV) The balance, if any, to the inmate upon his parole or discharge.
(c) The state of Colorado shall have a lien upon the wages or subsistence allowance of any
such inmate who fails to comply with the provisions of this subsection (3).
(4) The extension of the limits of confinement by the executive director shall not for any
purpose be considered to be parole as provided in part 2 of article 2 or article 22.5 of title 17, C.R.S.
Commutation of Sentence
16-17-101. Governor may commute sentence. The governor is hereby fully authorized,
when he deems it proper and advisable and consistent with the public interests and the rights and
interests of the condemned, to commute the sentence in any case by reducing the penalty in a capital
case to imprisonment for life or for a term of not less than twenty years at hard labor.
ARTICLE 18
16-18-101. Costs in criminal cases. (1) The costs in criminal cases shall be paid by the
state pursuant to section 13-3-104, C.R.S., when the defendant is acquitted or when the defendant
is convicted and the court determines he is unable to pay them.
(2) The costs of preliminary hearings, including any reporters' transcripts thereof ordered by
a defendant, shall be paid pursuant to subsection (1) of this section. Reporters' transcripts of
preliminary hearings which are ordered by the prosecution shall be paid for by the prosecution,
unless otherwise ordered by the court.
(3) The department of corrections, from annual appropriations made by the general
assembly, shall reimburse the county or counties in a judicial district for the costs of prosecuting any
crime alleged to have been committed by a person in the custody of the department. The county or
counties shall certify these costs to the department, and upon approval of the executive director of
the department, the costs shall be paid. The provisions of this subsection (3) shall apply to costs that
are not otherwise paid by the state.
16-18-102. Costs taxed against complainant. If any informer or complainant under a penal
statute of this state, to whom the penalty or any part thereof, if recovered, is given, dismisses his suit
or prosecution, or fails in the same, or willfully absents himself from trial or examination, he shall
be adjudged to pay all costs accruing on such suit or prosecution, unless he is an officer whose duty
it is to make and file the information or complaint; but in all cases of examination into any criminal
charge before a county judge, where the party accused is discharged, and it appears to the judge
16-18-103. When taxed against informant before grand jury. If any person complains
to any grand jury of injury done to his person, or to any person of his household, or to his property,
done by another, and upon hearing evidence of the charge it appears to the grand jury that the same
is untrue, and that it was maliciously entered, it is the duty of the grand jury to return the facts into
court, and the court shall thereupon tax the costs incurred in the investigation of the charge and enter
judgment against the person who made the complaint for the amount thereof. In proceedings under
this section, the action of the grand jury shall be determined by twelve members thereof.
16-18-104. Prosecuting witness before grand jury liable - when. If any person complains
to any grand jury of injury done to his person, or to any person of his household, or to his property,
and after indictment found does not appear in the court in which the indictment is pending to give
evidence in that behalf against the party charged in the indictment, and the party charged is acquitted,
or if proceedings under said indictment are discontinued for want of testimony, the court in which
the indictment is pending shall give judgment against the person who preferred the complaint for the
costs arising in that case. Upon the trial of the party charged in any such indictment, if he is acquitted
and the jury finds that the proceeding was maliciously commenced, the court shall give judgment
against the prosecuting witness for the costs arising in the case. Whenever any person complains,
the grand jury shall cause the name of the person so complaining to be endorsed upon the indictment,
with the words "prosecuting witness" added, and this shall be evidence that the complaint was made
by the person whose name is thus endorsed.
16-18-105. Enforcing judgment. Judgment rendered under the provisions of sections 16-
18-103 and 16-18-104 may be enforced in the same manner as in other criminal cases.
ARTICLE 18.5
(III) Submission of books, papers, documents, or other tangible things related to the
defendant's financial circumstances including but not limited to:
(A) Payroll stubs;
(B) Financial institution account statements;
(C) Stock certificates;
(D) Deeds, titles, or other evidence of ownership;
(E) State and federal tax records; and
(F) Insurance policies and statements;
(IV) Research and verification of all oral and written statements made by the defendant.
(b) In the case of a juvenile defendant, the collections investigator may conduct the
investigation into the juvenile's parents' or legal guardian's financial circumstances as well as the
juvenile's.
(c) For purposes of conducting the investigation required by this subsection (3), the
collections investigator shall have access to data maintained by other state agencies including but
not limited to wage data, employment data, and income tax data. The judicial department and any
other departments are authorized to enter into agreements for the sharing of such data.
(4) The department of corrections may enter into a memorandum of understanding with the
judicial department or contract with a private collection agency for the collection of court ordered
costs, surcharges, restitution, time payment fees, late fees, and any other fines, fees, or surcharges
pursuant to section 16-18.5-110 from defendants sentenced to the department of corrections or
released on parole.
16-18.5-106.5. Lottery winnings offset - restitution. (1) (a) The judicial department shall,
on no less than a monthly basis, certify to the department of revenue information regarding any
defendant who has been ordered to pay restitution pursuant to section 18-1.3-603 or 19-2-918, C.R.S.
(b) The information described in paragraph (a) of this subsection (1) shall include the social
security number of the person who is obligated to pay restitution and the amount of restitution due
and owing. The department of revenue may request additional identifying information, as needed,
from the judicial department in order to obtain an accurate data match pursuant to subsection (2) of
this section.
(2) (a) Prior to the payment of lottery winnings required by rule and regulation of the
Colorado lottery commission to be paid only at the lottery offices, the department of revenue shall
check the social security number of each winner with those certified by the judicial department
pursuant to subsection (1) of this section. If the name and associated social security number of a
lottery winner appear among those certified, the department of revenue shall obtain the current
address of the winner, shall suspend the payment of the winnings, and shall notify the judicial
department. The notification shall include the name, home address, and social security number of
16-18.5-106.7. Unclaimed property offset. (1) The judicial department may enter into a
memorandum of understanding with the state treasurer, acting as the administrator of unclaimed
property under the "Unclaimed Property Act", article 13 of title 38, C.R.S., for the purpose of
offsetting against a claim for unclaimed property the unpaid amount of restitution the person making
the claim has been ordered to pay pursuant to section 18-1.3-603 or 19-2-918, C.R.S. When an offset
is to be made, the judicial department or the court in which the person's restitution obligation is
pending shall notify the person in writing that the state intends to offset the amount of the person's
unpaid restitution obligation against his or her claim for unclaimed property.
(2) The state court administrator may adopt rules establishing the process by which an
16-18.5-106.8. State income tax refund offsets - restitution - definitions. (1) In any case
in which a defendant has an unsatisfied restitution obligation ordered pursuant to section 18-1.3-603
or 19-2-918, C.R.S., the judicial department is authorized to transmit data concerning the obligation
to the department of revenue for the purpose of conducting a data match and offsetting the restitution
obligation against a state income tax refund pursuant to section 39-21-108 (3), C.R.S. For any
restitution obligation identified by the judicial department for offset, the state court administrator
shall:
(a) On at least an annual basis, certify to the department of revenue the social security
number of the defendant who is obligated to pay the restitution obligation and the amount of the
outstanding restitution obligation. The department of revenue may request additional identifying
information from the judicial department that is necessary to obtain an accurate data match.
(b) Upon notification by the department of revenue of a data match, notify the appropriate
court that a match has occurred and that an offset is pending and provide to the court the identifying
information received from the department concerning the defendant whose state income tax refund
is subject to the offset;
(c) Provide or require the appropriate court to provide written notice to the defendant that
the state intends to offset the defendant's restitution obligation against his or her state income tax
refund and that the defendant has the right to object to the offset and request an administrative
review; and
(d) Upon receipt of funds for offset from the department of revenue, transmit the funds to
the appropriate court.
(2) The clerk of court shall apply funds received pursuant to this section to the defendant's
outstanding restitution obligation. If the moneys received exceed the defendant's current restitution
obligation, the excess may be applied to other financial obligations the defendant owes the court or
the judicial department. If no other financial obligations are owed, the clerk of court shall refund any
excess to the defendant.
(3) The state court administrator may adopt rules establishing the process by which a
defendant may object to an offset and request an administrative review. The sole issues to be
determined at the administrative review shall be whether the person is required to pay the restitution
and the amount of the outstanding restitution.
(4) The department of revenue is authorized to receive data from the judicial department and
execute offsets of state income tax refunds in accordance with this section and section 39-21-108
(3), C.R.S.
(5) As used in this section, "defendant" means any person, including an adult or juvenile,
who has been ordered to pay restitution pursuant to section 18-1.3-603 or 19-2-918, C.R.S.
16-18.5-108. Dishonored check fee. Whenever a payment of restitution that was presented
in the form of a check or similar sight draft for the payment of money is subsequently dishonored
by the financial institution for any reason upon presentment within thirty days after issue, the agency
supervising the collection of such payment may assess a twenty dollar penalty against the defendant.
The penalty provided in this section shall be assessed in addition to any other penalties or interest
authorized by law.
16-18.5-109. Declined or unclaimed restitution. (1) If at the time that an order for
restitution is entered no victim can be reasonably located or the victim declines to accept restitution,
the defendant shall still pay restitution but such restitution shall be made to the state and distributed
16-18.5-110. Order of crediting payments. (1) Payments received shall be credited in the
following order:
(a) Costs for crime victim compensation fund, pursuant to section 24-4.1-119, C.R.S.;
(b) Surcharges for victims and witnesses assistance and law enforcement fund, pursuant to
section 24-4.2-104, C.R.S.;
(c) Restitution to victims in the following order:
(I) A victim, as defined in section 18-1.3-602 (4) (a) (I), C.R.S.;
(II) A victim, as defined in section 18-1.3-602 (4) (a) (II), C.R.S.;
(III) A victim, as defined in section 18-1.3-602 (4) (a) (III), C.R.S.;
(c.5) Surcharges related to the address confidentiality program pursuant to section 24-30-
2114, C.R.S.;
(d) Time payment fee;
(e) Late fees; and
(f) Any other fines, fees, or surcharges.
16-19-101. Short title. This article shall be known and may be cited as the "Uniform
Criminal Extradition Act".
16-19-102. Definitions. As used in this article, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) "Executive authority" includes the governor and any person performing the function of
governor in a state other than this state.
(2) "Governor" includes any person performing the functions of governor by authority of the
law of this state.
(3) "State", referring to a state other than this state, includes any other state or territory,
organized or unorganized, of the United States.
16-19-103. Fugitives from justice. Subject to the provisions of this article, the provisions
of the constitution of the United States controlling, and any act of congress enacted in pursuance
thereof, it is the duty of the governor of this state to have arrested and delivered up to the executive
authority of any other state of the United States any person charged in that state with treason, felony,
or other crime, who has fled from justice and is found in this state.
16-19-104. Form of demand. No demand for the extradition of a person charged with crime
in another state shall be recognized by the governor unless in writing alleging, except in cases arising
under section 16-19-107, that the accused was present in the demanding state at the time of the
commission of the alleged crime, and that thereafter he fled from the state, and accompanied by a
copy of an indictment found or by information supported by affidavit in the state having jurisdiction
of the crime, or by a copy of an affidavit made before a magistrate there, together with a copy of any
warrant which was issued thereupon, or by a copy of a judgment of conviction or of a sentence
imposed in execution thereof, together with a statement by the executive authority of the demanding
state that the person claimed has escaped from confinement or has broken the terms of his bail,
probation, or parole. The indictment, information, or affidavit made before the magistrate must
substantially charge the person demanded with having committed a crime under the law of that state;
and the copy of the indictment, information, affidavit, or judgment of conviction or sentence must
be authenticated by the executive authority making the demand.
16-19-107. Extradition of persons not present where crime committed. The governor of
this state may also surrender, on demand of the executive authority of any other state, any person in
this state charged in such other state in the manner provided in section 16-19-104 with committing
an act in this state, or in a third state, intentionally resulting in a crime in the state whose executive
authority is making the demand, and the provisions of this article not otherwise inconsistent shall
apply to such cases, even though the accused was not in that state at the time of the commission of
the crime and has not fled therefrom.
16-19-108. Issue of governor's warrant. If the governor decides that the demand should
be complied with, the governor shall sign a warrant of arrest, which shall be sealed with the state seal
and be directed to any peace officer or other person whom the governor may think fit to entrust with
the execution thereof. The warrant must substantially recite the facts necessary to the validity of its
issuance. Any electronically or electromagnetically transmitted facsimile of a governor's warrant
shall be treated as an original document.
16-19-109. Manner and place of execution. The warrant shall authorize the peace officer
or other person to whom directed to arrest the accused at any time and any place where he may be
found within the state and to command the aid of all peace officers or other persons in the execution
of the warrant and to deliver the accused, subject to the provisions of this article, to the duly
authorized agent of the demanding state.
16-19-111. Rights of accused - habeas corpus. No person arrested upon such a warrant
shall be delivered over to the agent whom the executive authority demanding him has appointed to
receive him unless he shall first be taken forthwith before a judge of a court of record in this state,
who shall inform him of the demand made for his surrender and of the crime with which he is
charged and that he has the right to demand and procure legal counsel. If the prisoner or his counsel
states that he or they desire to test the legality of his arrest, the judge of the court of record shall fix
a reasonable time to be allowed him within which to apply for a writ of habeas corpus. When such
writ is applied for, notice thereof, and of the time and place of hearing thereon, shall be given to the
prosecuting officer of the county in which the arrest is made and in which the accused is in custody
and to the agent of the demanding state. Review beyond the court of record shall be only in the
supreme court by petition for certiorari, pursuant to such rules as that court may promulgate.
16-19-112. Penalty for noncompliance. Any person who delivers to the agent for
extradition of the demanding state a person in his custody under the governor's warrant, in willful
disobedience to section 16-19-111, is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall
be punished by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars, or by imprisonment in the county jail
for not more than six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
16-19-113. Confinement in jail. The officer or person executing the governor's warrant of
arrest, or the agent of the demanding state to whom the prisoner has been delivered, when necessary,
may confine the prisoner in the jail in any county or city through which he may pass. The keeper of
the jail must receive and safely keep the prisoner until the officer or person having charge of him is
ready to proceed on his route, such person being chargeable with the expense of keeping. The officer
or agent of a demanding state to whom a prisoner has been delivered following extradition
proceedings in another state, or to whom a prisoner has been delivered after waiving extradition in
such other state, and who is passing through this state with the prisoner for the purpose of
immediately returning the prisoner to the demanding state, when necessary, may confine the prisoner
in the jail of any county or city through which he may pass. The keeper of the jail must receive and
safely keep the prisoner until the officer or agent having charge of him is ready to proceed on his
route, such officer or agent, however, being chargeable with the expense of keeping; but the officer
or agent shall produce and show to the keeper of the jail satisfactory written evidence of the fact that
he is actually transporting such prisoner to the demanding state after a requisition by the executive
authority of the demanding state. The prisoner shall not be entitled to demand a new requisition
while in this state.
16-19-115. Arrest without warrant. The arrest of a person may be lawfully made also by
any peace officer or a private person without a warrant upon reasonable information that the accused
stands charged in the courts of a state with a crime punishable by death or imprisonment for a term
exceeding one year. When so arrested the accused must be taken before a judge with all practicable
speed, and complaint must be made against him under oath setting forth the ground for arrest as in
section 16-19-114; and thereafter his answer shall be heard as if he had been arrested on a warrant.
16-19-116. Commitment to await requisition - bail. If from the examination before the
judge it appears that the person held is the person charged with having committed the crime alleged
and, except in cases arising under section 16-19-107, that he or she has fled from justice, the judge
shall, by a warrant reciting the accusation, commit him or her to the county jail for such a time not
exceeding thirty-five days and as specified in the warrant as will enable the arrest of the accused to
be made under a warrant of the governor on a requisition of the executive authority of the state
having jurisdiction of the offense, unless the accused gives bail as provided in section 16-19-117,
or until he or she is legally discharged.
16-19-117. Bail pending extradition. (1) Unless the offense with which the prisoner is
charged is shown to be an offense punishable by death or life imprisonment under the laws of the
state or territory or country in which it is alleged to have been committed, or having been convicted
of a crime in the demanding state, the fugitive is alleged to have escaped from custody or
confinement in the demanding state or to have violated the terms of his or her bail, probation, parole,
or sentence, or the fugitive has executed a written waiver of extradition pursuant to section 16-19-
16-19-118. Extension of time. If the accused is not arrested under warrant of the governor
by the expiration of the time specified in the warrant or bond, a judge of a district court shall either
recommit him or her for a further period not to exceed sixty days or again take bail for his or her
appearance and surrender, as provided in section 16-19-117, but within a period not to exceed sixty
days after the date of the new bond.
16-19-119. Forfeiture of bail. If the person so held is admitted to bail as provided for in
section 16-19-117 and fails to appear and surrender himself according to the conditions of his bond,
the judge of the district court, by proper order, shall declare the bond forfeited and order his
immediate arrest without warrant if he is within this state. Recovery may be had on such bond in the
name of the people of the state of Colorado as in the case of other bonds or undertakings given by
a defendant in criminal proceedings.
16-19-119.5. Custody pending arrival of agent of the demanding state. Upon ordering
the delivery of a fugitive forthwith to the agent of a demanding state, a judge shall allow the agent
of the demanding state a period of not less than fifteen days and not more than thirty days from the
date of the order within which to complete transportation arrangements, travel to this state, and
appear to take custody of the fugitive. During this period, pending the arrival of the agent of the
demanding state, the fugitive shall remain in custody in this state without bail and shall not be
discharged.
16-19-122. Governor may recall warrant. The governor may recall his warrant of arrest
or may issue another warrant whenever he deems proper.
16-19-123. Fugitives from this state. When the governor of this state demands a person
charged with crime or with escaping from confinement or breaking the terms of his bail, probation,
or parole in this state from the executive authority of any other state or from the chief justice or an
associate justice of the supreme court of the District of Columbia authorized to receive such demand
under the laws of the United States, he shall issue a warrant under the seal of this state, to some
agent, commanding him to receive the person so charged if delivered to him and convey him to the
proper officer of the county in this state in which the offense was committed.
16-19-124. Application for requisition. (1) When the return to this state of a person
charged with crime in this state is required, the district attorney shall present to the governor his
written application for a requisition for the return of the person charged, in which application shall
be stated the name of the person so charged, the crime charged against him, the approximate time,
place, and circumstances of its commission, and the state in which he is believed to be, including the
location of the accused therein at the time the application is made, and certifying that, in the opinion
of the said district attorney, the ends of justice require the arrest and return of the accused to this state
for trial and that the proceeding is not instituted to enforce a private claim.
(2) When the return to this state is required of a person who has been convicted of a crime
in this state and has escaped from confinement or broken the terms of his bail, probation, or parole,
the prosecuting attorney of the county in which the offense was committed, the state board of parole,
or the superintendent of the institution or sheriff of the county from which escape was made shall
present to the governor a written application for a requisition for the return of such person, in which
application shall be stated the name of the person, the crime of which he was convicted, the
circumstances of his escape from confinement or of the breach of the terms of his bail, probation,
or parole, and the state in which he is believed to be, including the location of the person therein at
the time application is made.
(3) The application shall be verified by affidavit, shall be executed in duplicate, and shall
be accompanied by two certified copies of the indictment returned, or information and affidavit filed,
or of the complaint made to the judge, stating the offense with which the accused is charged, or of
the judgment of conviction or of the sentence. The prosecuting officer, state board of parole,
16-19-125. Immunity from civil process. A person brought into this state by, or after
waiver of, extradition based on a criminal charge shall not be subject to service of personal process
in civil actions arising out of the same facts as the criminal proceeding to answer which he is being
or has been returned, until he has been convicted in the criminal proceeding, or, if acquitted, until
he has had reasonable opportunity to return to the state from which he was extradited.
16-19-126. Written waiver of extradition. (1) Any person arrested in this state charged
with having committed any crime in another state or alleged to have escaped from confinement or
broken the terms of his or her bail, probation, or parole may waive the issuance and service of the
warrant provided for in sections 16-19-108 and 16-19-109 and all other procedure incidental to
extradition proceedings by executing or subscribing in the presence of a judge of any court of record
within this state a writing which states that he or she consents to return to the demanding state and
acknowledging that he or she shall not be admitted to bail; but, before the waiver is executed or
subscribed by such person, it is the duty of the judge to inform such person of his or her rights to the
issuance and service of a warrant of extradition and to obtain a writ of habeas corpus as provided for
in section 16-19-111.
(2) If and when a consent has been duly executed, it shall forthwith be forwarded to the
office of the governor of this state and filed therein. The judge shall direct the officer having the
person in custody to deliver such person forthwith to the duly accredited agent or agents of the
demanding state and shall deliver or cause to be delivered to that agent or those agents a copy of the
consent. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to limit the rights of the accused person to return
voluntarily and without formality to the demanding state, nor shall this waiver procedure be deemed
to be an exclusive procedure or to limit the powers, rights, or duties of the officers of the demanding
state or of this state.
(3) A fugitive shall not be permitted to withdraw a waiver of extradition unless the fugitive
makes a showing of good cause for the withdrawal of the waiver of extradition. The fugitive shall
provide the court, governor, and district attorney with the request to withdraw the waiver of
extradition stating the reasons for withdrawing the waiver. If the court grants the withdrawal, it shall
provide the governor with an order permitting the withdrawal of the waiver of extradition. A judge
shall commit a fugitive who is permitted to withdraw his or her waiver of extradition to the county
jail without bond for a specified period of time, of not less than thirty days and not more than ninety
days, as will enable the arrest of the accused to be made under warrant of the governor or on a
requisition of the executive authority of the state having jurisdiction of the offense.
(c) A photograph, fingerprints, or other evidence which identifies the person held by the law
enforcement agency as the person who signed the waiver of extradition and who is named in the
order or warrant, or an electronically or electromagnetically transmitted facsimile thereof.
(3) Nothing in this section shall be deemed to limit the right, power, or privilege of the state
of Colorado to hold, try, and punish any person demanded by another state for any crime committed
in the state of Colorado before delivering such person to the demanding state.
16-19-127. Nonwaiver by this state. Nothing contained in this article shall be deemed to
constitute a waiver by this state of its right, power, or privilege to try such demanded person for any
crime committed within this state, or of its right, power, or privilege to regain custody of such person
by extradition proceedings or otherwise for the purpose of trial, sentence, or punishment for any
crime committed within this state, nor shall any proceedings had under this article which result in,
or fail to result in, extradition be deemed a waiver by this state of any of its rights, privileges, or
jurisdiction in any way whatsoever.
16-19-128. Prosecution of other charges. After a person has been brought back to this state
by, or after waiver of, extradition proceedings, he may be tried in this state for other crimes which
he may be charged with committing here as well as that specified in the requisition for his
extradition.
16-19-129. Security for costs - default - fees. (1) In all cases where complaint is made
16-19-130. Rewards - how audited - paid. When the governor is satisfied that the crime
of murder or arson or kidnapping has been committed within the state, and that the person charged
therewith has not been arrested or has escaped therefrom, he may in his discretion offer a reward not
exceeding one thousand dollars for the arrest and delivery to the proper authorities of the person so
charged, which reward, upon the certificate of the governor that the same has been earned, shall be
audited and paid by the state out of any funds appropriated for that purpose.
16-19-131. Escape - reward. If any person charged with or convicted of a felony breaks
prison or escapes or flees from justice or absconds and secretes himself, it shall be lawful for the
governor, if he judges it necessary, to offer any reward not exceeding two hundred dollars for
apprehending and delivering such person into custody of the sheriff or other officer as he may direct.
Upon the person or persons so apprehending and delivering any such person and producing the
sheriff's or justice's receipt for the body to the governor, it shall be lawful for the governor to certify
the amount of the claim to the controller, who shall issue his warrant on the treasury for the same.
(3) Nothing in this section shall preclude prosecution in another country of a fugitive from
justice charged with committing a crime in Colorado, if the other country offers domestic
prosecution of such fugitives as an alternative to extradition. This includes, but is not limited to,
prosecution in Mexico pursuant to the Mexican federal penal code.
(4) The provisions of this section also apply equally to extradition or attempted extradition
of a person who is a fugitive following the entry of a judgment of conviction against him or her in
a criminal court of this state.
ARTICLE 20
16-20-102. Definitions. As used in this article, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) "Executive authority" means the executive authority of any state; and, when used in
connection with a request to return any person, pursuant to the provisions of this article, to or from
the District of Columbia, "executive authority" includes a justice of the supreme court of the District
of Columbia and any other authority.
(2) "Flight" or "fled" means any voluntary or involuntary departure from the jurisdiction of
the court where proceedings for determination as a person of unsound mind have been instituted and
are still pending with the effect of avoiding, impeding, or delaying the action of the court in which
such proceedings have been instituted or are pending or any such departure from the state where the
person demanded then was, if he was then under detention by law as a person of unsound mind and
subject to detention.
(3) "Person of unsound mind" includes the terms "insane person", "mentally ill person",
"person with a mental illness", "mentally incompetent person", and "lunatic".
16-20-104. Executive authority - procedure. (1) When the executive authority of any state
demands of the executive authority of this state any fugitive pursuant to this article and produces a
copy of commitment, decree, or other process and proceedings certified as authentic by the executive
authority of the state from which the person so charged has fled, with an affidavit made before a
proper officer showing the person to be such fugitive, it is the duty of the executive authority of this
state to cause immediate notice of the apprehension to be given to the executive authority making
such demand or to the agent of such executive authority appointed to receive the fugitive and to
cause the fugitive to be delivered to such agent when he appears. If no such agent appears within
thirty days from the time of the apprehension, the fugitive may be discharged. Any agent so
appointed who receives the fugitive into his custody shall transmit him to the state from which he
has fled.
OFFENDERS - REGISTRATION
ARTICLE 20.5
16-20.5-101. Short title. This article and article 21 of this title shall be known and may be
cited as the "Criminal Justice Information System Act".
16-20.5-101.5. Legislative declaration. (1) The general assembly hereby finds and
determines that, since 1974, there have been proposals for an automated criminal justice information
system that shares and tracks data concerning offenders among the various criminal justice agencies.
Because each of the criminal justice agencies in the state has developed independent information
systems to address each agency's own management and planning needs, the status of criminal justice
information in the state has been fragmented.
(2) The general assembly hereby declares that this article is enacted for the purpose of
developing, operating, supporting, maintaining, and enhancing, in a cost-effective manner, a
seamless, integrated criminal justice information system that maximizes standardization of data and
communications technology among law enforcement agencies, district attorneys, the courts, and
state-funded corrections for adult and youth offenders and other agencies as approved by the general
assembly or by the executive board pursuant to this article. Such a system will improve:
(a) Public safety by making more timely, accurate, and complete information concerning
offenders available statewide to all criminal justice agencies and to individual decision-makers in
the criminal justice system, including but not limited to police officers, prosecutors, judges,
probation officers, and corrections officers;
(b) Decision-making by increasing the availability of statistical measures for evaluating
public policy;
(c) Productivity of existing staff by continually working toward eliminating redundant data
collection and input efforts among the agencies and by reducing or eliminating paper-based
16-20.5-102. Definitions. As used in this article, unless the context otherwise requires:
16-20.5-107. Future modifications and purchases. (1) The executive board shall develop
and maintain a process to determine if and how changes to existing criminal justice applications
impact the integrated network. Changes to criminal justice applications, databases, platforms, or
business processes that have an impact on the integrated network must be coordinated through and
approved by the executive board.
(2) Any state-funded expenditures by a criminal justice agency for computer platforms,
databases, or applications in support of criminal justice applications shall be reviewed and approved
by the executive board. The executive board shall make recommendations concerning such purchases
to all appropriate budgetary approval agencies.
ARTICLE 21
16-21-101. Legislative declaration. The general assembly hereby finds and declares that
the creation of an offender-based tracking system is necessary in order to improve the consistency
of data shared by the different elements of the criminal justice system and to allow for the tracking
of offenders through the criminal justice system. The general assembly further finds and declares that
the offender-based tracking system should be operated through the Colorado integrated criminal
justice information system program.
16-21-104. Fingerprinting - ordered by court. (1) If the offender has not been
fingerprinted and photographed for the charges pending before the court, the court at the first
appearance of the offender after the filing of charges shall order the offender to report to the
investigating agency within fourteen days for fingerprinting and photographing. The investigating
agency shall endorse upon a copy of the order the completion of the fingerprinting and
photographing and return the same to the court. At least one set of fingerprints and one set of
photographs ordered pursuant to this section shall be forwarded by the investigating agency to the
Colorado bureau of investigation in a form and manner prescribed by such bureau.
(2) Any fingerprints required by this section to be forwarded shall be forwarded within
twenty-four hours after completion; except that such time period shall not include Saturdays,
Sundays, and legal holidays.
16-21-105. Applicability of article to municipal courts - local law enforcement. (1) The
provisions of this article concerning the duty of a law enforcement agency to identify on the face of
a complaint, summons, or summons and complaint whether the factual basis of the charge or charges
being filed include an act of domestic violence shall apply to local law enforcement agencies.
(2) The provisions of this article concerning the duty of a court to notify the bureau
concerning actions involving crimes in which the charge or charges include an act of domestic
ARTICLE 22
16-22-101. Short title. This article shall be known and may be cited as the "Colorado Sex
Offender Registration Act".
16-22-102. Definitions. As used in this article, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) "Birthday" means a person's birthday as reflected on the notice provided to the person
pursuant to section 16-22-106 or 16-22-107 or the person's actual date of birth if the notice does not
reflect the person's birthday.
(2) "CBI" means the Colorado bureau of investigation established pursuant to part 4 of
article 33.5 of title 24, C.R.S.
(3) "Convicted" or "conviction" means having received a verdict of guilty by a judge or jury,
having pleaded guilty or nolo contendere, having received a disposition as a juvenile, having been
adjudicated a juvenile delinquent, or having received a deferred judgment and sentence or a deferred
adjudication.
(3.5) "Employed at an institution of postsecondary education" means a person:
(a) Is employed by or is an independent contractor with an institution of postsecondary
education or is employed by or is an independent contractor with an entity that contracts with an
institution of postsecondary education; and
(b) Spends any period of time in furtherance of the employment or independent contractor
relationship on the campus of the postsecondary institution or at a site that is owned or leased by the
postsecondary institution.
(4) "Immediate family" means a person's spouse, parent, grandparent, sibling, or child.
(4.3) (a) "Lacks a fixed residence" means that a person does not have a living situation that
meets the definition of "residence" pursuant to subsection (5.7) of this section. "Lacks a fixed
residence" may include, but need not be limited to, outdoor sleeping locations or any public or
private locations not designed as traditional living accommodations. "Lacks a fixed residence" may
also include temporary public or private housing or temporary shelter facilities, residential treatment
facilities, or any other residential program or facility if the person remains at the location for less
than fourteen days.
(b) "Lacks a fixed residence" also includes a person who is registered in any jurisdiction if
the person:
(I) Ceases to reside at an address in that jurisdiction; and
(II) Fails to register:
(II) Sexual assault in the third degree, in violation of section 18-3-404, C.R.S., as it existed
prior to July 1, 2000;
(d) Sexual assault on a child, in violation of section 18-3-405, C.R.S.;
16-22-104. Initial registration - effective date. (1) (a) (I) Beginning January 1, 2005, for
any person required to register pursuant to section 16-22-103, the court, within the later of twenty-
four hours or the next business day after sentencing the person, shall electronically file with the CBI
the initial registration of the person, providing the information required by the CBI.
(II) Beginning May 27, 2004, the court shall specify on the judgment of conviction the
person's duty to register as required in section 16-22-108, including but not limited to the duty to
confirm registration if the person is sentenced on or after January 1, 2005, and the person's duty to
reregister.
(b) Any person who is sentenced prior to January 1, 2005, and who is required to register
pursuant to section 16-22-103 shall initially register in the manner provided and within the times
specified in section 16-22-108 (1) (a) for registration.
(c) The state court administrator is hereby authorized to receive and expend any public or
private gifts, grants, or donations that may be available to offset the costs incurred in implementing
the provisions of this subsection (1).
(2) Repealed.
16-22-109. Registration forms - local law enforcement agencies - duties. (1) The director
of the CBI shall prescribe standardized forms to be used to comply with this article, and the CBI
shall provide copies of the standardized forms to the courts, probation departments, community
corrections programs, the department of corrections, the department of human services, and local
law enforcement agencies. The standardized forms may be provided in electronic form. The
standardized forms shall be used to register persons pursuant to this article and to enable persons to
cancel registration, as necessary. The standardized forms shall provide that the persons required to
register pursuant to section 16-22-103 disclose such information as is required on the standardized
forms. The information required on the standardized forms shall include, but need not be limited to:
(a) The name, date of birth, address, and place of employment of the person required to
register, and, if the place of employment is at an institution of postsecondary education, all addresses
and locations of the institution of postsecondary education at which the person may be physically
located;
(a.3) If the person's place of residence is a trailer or motor home, the address at which the
trailer or motor home is lawfully located and the vehicle identification number, license tag number,
registration number, and description, including color scheme, of the trailer or motor home;
(a.5) If the person is volunteering at an institution of postsecondary education, all addresses
and locations of the institution of postsecondary education at which the person may be physically
located;
(a.7) If the person enrolls or is enrolled in an institution of a postsecondary education, all
addresses and locations of the institution of postsecondary education at which the person attends
classes or otherwise participates in required activities;
(a.9) If a person lacks a fixed residence, any public or private locations where the person may
be found or habitually sleeps, which information may include, but need not be limited to, cross-
streets, intersections, directions to or identifiable landmarks of the locations, or any other
information necessary to accurately identify the locations;
(b) All names used at any time by the person required to register, including both aliases and
legal names;
(c) For any person who is a temporary resident of the state, the person's address in his or her
state of permanent residence and the person's place of employment in this state or the educational
institution in which he or she is enrolled in this state and, if the temporary resident of the state is
enrolled in, employed by, or volunteers at an institution of postsecondary education, all addresses
and locations of the institution of postsecondary education at which the temporary resident attends
classes or otherwise participates in required activities or works or performs volunteer activities;
The Colorado sex offender registry includes only those persons who have been
required by law to register and who are in compliance with the sex offender
registration laws. Persons should not rely solely on the sex offender registry as a
safeguard against perpetrators of sexual assault in their communities. The crime for
which a person is convicted may not accurately reflect the level of risk.
(9) The CBI shall seek and is hereby authorized to receive and expend any public or private
gifts, grants, or donations that may be available to implement the provisions of this article pertaining
to establishment and maintenance of the sex offender registry, including but not limited to provisions
pertaining to the initial registration of persons pursuant to section 16-22-104 and the transmittal of
information between and among local law enforcement agencies, community corrections programs,
the judicial department, the department of corrections, the department of human services, and the
CBI. Any moneys received pursuant to this subsection (9), except federal moneys that are custodial
funds, shall be transmitted to the state treasurer for deposit in the sex offender registry fund created
in subsection (7) of this section.
16-22-112. Release of information - law enforcement agencies. (1) The general assembly
finds that persons convicted of offenses involving unlawful sexual behavior have a reduced
expectation of privacy because of the public's interest in public safety. The general assembly further
The Colorado sex offender registry includes only those persons who have been
required by law to register and who are in compliance with the sex offender
registration laws. Persons should not rely solely on the sex offender registry as a
safeguard against perpetrators of sexual assault in their communities. The crime for
which a person is convicted may not accurately reflect the level of risk.
16-22-113. Petition for removal from registry. (1) Except as otherwise provided in
subsection (3) of this section, any person required to register pursuant to section 16-22-103 or whose
information is required to be posted on the internet pursuant to section 16-22-111 may file a petition
with the court that issued the order of judgment for the conviction that requires the person to register
for an order to discontinue the requirement for such registration or internet posting, or both, as
follows:
(a) Except as otherwise provided in paragraphs (d), (e), and (f) of this subsection (1), if the
offense that required such person to register constituted or would constitute a class 1, 2, or 3 felony,
after a period of twenty years from the date of such person's discharge from the department of
corrections, if such person was sentenced to incarceration, or discharge from the department of
human services, if such person was committed, or final release from the jurisdiction of the court for
such offense, if such person has not subsequently been convicted of unlawful sexual behavior or of
any other offense, the underlying factual basis of which involved unlawful sexual behavior;
(b) Except as otherwise provided in paragraphs (d), (e), and (f) of this subsection (1), if the
offense that required such person to register constituted or would constitute a class 4, 5, or 6 felony
or the class 1 misdemeanor of unlawful sexual contact, as described in section 18-3-404, C.R.S., or
sexual assault in the third degree as described in section 18-3-404, C.R.S., as it existed prior to July
1, 2000, after a period of ten years from the date of such person's discharge from the department of
corrections, if such person was sentenced to incarceration, or discharge from the department of
human services, if such person was committed, or final release from the jurisdiction of the court for
(c) Upon the filing of the petition, the court shall set a date for a hearing and shall notify the
victim of the offense for which the petitioner was required to register, if the victim of the offense has
requested notice and has provided current contact information. If the court enters an order
discontinuing the petitioner's duty to register, the petitioner shall send a copy of the order to each
local law enforcement agency with which the petitioner is registered and the CBI. If the victim of
the offense has requested notice, the court shall notify the victim of the offense of its decision either
to continue or discontinue the petitioner's duty to register.
(d) On receipt of a copy of an order discontinuing a petitioner's duty to register:
(I) The CBI shall remove the petitioner's sex offender registration information from the sex
offender registry; and
(II) If the local law enforcement agency maintains a local registry of sex offenders who are
registered with the local law enforcement agency, the local law enforcement agency shall remove
the petitioner's sex offender registration information from the local sex offender registry.
(3) The following persons shall not be eligible for relief pursuant to this section, but shall
be subject for the remainder of their natural lives to the registration requirements specified in this
article or to the comparable requirements of any other jurisdictions in which they may reside:
(a) Any person who is a sexually violent predator;
(b) Any person who is convicted as an adult of:
(I) Sexual assault, in violation of section 18-3-402, C.R.S., or sexual assault in the first
degree, in violation of section 18-3-402, C.R.S., as it existed prior to July 1, 2000, or sexual assault
in the second degree, in violation of section 18-3-403, C.R.S., as it existed prior to July 1, 2000; or
(II) Sexual assault on a child, in violation of section 18-3-405, C.R.S.; or
(III) Sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust, in violation of section 18-3-405.3,
C.R.S.; or
(IV) Sexual assault on a client by a psychotherapist, in violation of section 18-3-405.5,
C.R.S.; or
(V) Incest, in violation of section 18-6-301, C.R.S.; or
(VI) Aggravated incest, in violation of section 18-6-302, C.R.S.;
(c) Any adult who has more than one conviction or adjudication for unlawful sexual
behavior in this state or any other jurisdiction.
16-22-114. Immunity. State agencies and their employees and local law enforcement
ARTICLE 23
16-23-101. Short title. This article shall be known and may be cited as "Katie's Law".
16-23-102. Legislative declaration. (1) The general assembly hereby finds and declares
that:
(a) The collection and use of DNA by law enforcement agencies is a valuable tool in
preventing crime;
(b) The analysis of DNA has been used numerous times in the exoneration of innocent
individuals charged with or convicted of crimes; and
(c) The implementation of this article will result in preventing a significant number of
violent crimes in Colorado and in solving a number of unsolved crimes in Colorado.
16-23-103. Collection of biological samples from persons arrested for or charged with
felonies. (1) The following persons shall submit to collection of a biological substance sample for
testing to determine the genetic markers thereof, unless the person has previously provided a
biological substance sample for such testing pursuant to a statute of this state and the Colorado
bureau of investigation has that sample:
(a) Every adult arrested on or after September 30, 2010, for a felony offense or for the
16-23-104. Collection and testing. (1) The Colorado bureau of investigation shall provide
all specimen vials, mailing tubes, labels, and other materials and instructions necessary for the
collection of biological substance samples required pursuant to this article.
(2) The Colorado bureau of investigation shall chemically test the biological substance
samples collected pursuant to this article. The Colorado bureau of investigation shall file and
maintain the testing results in the state index system after receiving confirmation from the arresting
or charging agency that the adult was charged with a felony. If the Colorado bureau of investigation