The Ultimate Directory to the Criminal Code in Colorado

Colorado organizes its criminal offenses in the Colorado Revised Statutes. Most crimes are found in Title 18 (the criminal code) or Title 42 (traffic offenses).

Common Questions about Colorado Criminal Charges

What kind of courts hear criminal cases in Colorado?

Though there are certain exceptions, if you are charged with a criminal case under Title 18 you will be appearing in State Court in the county where the incident happened. Misdemeanor and petty offenses are triable in county court. Felony offenses generally start in county court but are transferred to district court. Both county and district courts are “state courts,” and they are usually in the same building.

Colorado also has municipal courts that enforce municipal and traffic ordinances. Municipal courts are separate from – and in different places than – the state courts, and they have different rules.

How do you know what the penalty is for a crime?

The Colorado criminal code uses a standardized system for establishing the penalties for crimes. The legislature has set different classes or levels that correspond to the seriousness of the crimes. For example, intentional murder (Murder in the First Degree, CRS 18-3-102(1)(a)) is a Class 1 Felony, the most serious class of felony. Impersonating a peace officer (CRS 18-8-112) is a Class 6 felony, the lowest level of felony in Colorado.

There are different ways that the penalties for a crime can change from the default, or presumptive, penalty for each class. However, in general, the penalties for each class of felony is defined in CRS 18-1.3-401. The penalties for different levels of drug felonies is found in CRS 18-1.3-401.5. Sentencing for misdemeanor and petty offenses is laid out in Part 5 of Article 1.3 of the criminal code.

What does CRS mean in a criminal complaint or legal motion?

CRS stands for Colorado Revised Statutes. Then you will usually see three sets of numbers, divided by hyphens. The first one is the Title of the Statute section. (Our list below starts with Title 18.) The second set of numbers is the Article. The final set is the statue number. Another thing you may see is Part, which is another way that the statutes are organized within Articles.

Sometimes you will see statutes written (also called cited) by putting the numbers first, like this: 18-3-404, C.R.S. That is a different way to write CRS 18-3-404, and it means the same thing.

An Almost Complete List of Colorado Crimes — organized by statute.

Criminal offenses aren’t always found in Title 18 or Title 42, but most of them are. Here is a list of Colorado crimes organized by statute. (Tip: Search this page by pressing Command-F or Control-F and then typing the crime in the box that appears in your browser)

Title 18 – Colorado Criminal Code

Article 2. Inchoate Offenses

Inchoate offenses are criminal charges where the final crime has just begun or is being planned. Attempting to commit a crime, working (conspiring) with others to commit a crime, or trying to get someone else (soliciting) to commit a crime can be a crime itself.

  • CRS 18-2-101 – Criminal Attempt
  • CRS 18-2-201 – Conspiracy
  • CRS 18-2-301 – Criminal Solicitation

Article 3. Offenses Against People

Some of the most serious crimes fall in the category of “offenses against people.” Like the name suggests, these are crimes that are committed against a person. It is important to remember that the “victim” is not a party to the criminal charges, they are the complaining witness. The prosecutor decides when to press charges.

Part 1. Homicide and Related Offenses

Part 2. Assault & Menacing

Part 3. Kidnapping

Part 4. Unlawful Sexual Behavior

Part 5. Human Trafficking and Slavery

Part 6. Stalking

Article 3.5. Offenses Against Pregnant Women

Article 3.5 covers actions that result in the unwanted and unlawful termination of pregnancy. These crimes cover circumstances where the harm caused by someone’s actions isn’t just to the woman.

Article 4. Offenses Against Property

Offenses against property involve the injury of some kind of property right. This could be because property is taken from a person, property is used without permission, or property is destroyed.

Part 1. Arson

Part 2. Burglary

Part 3. Robbery

Part 4. Theft

Part 5. Trespass, Tampering, and Criminal Mischief

Part 6. Theft of Sound Recordings

Part 7. Theft of Cable Television Service

Article 5. Offenses Involving Fraud

Part 1. Forgery, Simulation, Impersonation, and Related Offenses

Part 2. Fraud in Obtaining Property or Services

Part 3. Fraudulent and Deceptive Sales and Business

Part 4. Bribery and Rigging of Contests

Part 5. Offenses Relating to the Uniform Commercial Code

Part 7. Financial Transaction Device Crime Act

Part 8. Equity Skimming and Related Offenses

Part 9. Identity Theft and Related Offenses

Article 5.5. Computer Crime

Many crimes can be committed on a computer, but there is also a special category of “cybercrime.” This charge covers actions on a computer (or phone, or tablet) that may not be covered by traditional criminal definitions.

Article 6. Offenses Involving Family Relations

These offenses include individual crimes, like incest and child abuse, that are treated more severely because of the people involved. This section also defines domestic violence, which is an enhancer to other crimes.

Part 2. Bigamy

Part 3. Incest

Part 4. Wrongs to Children

Part 6. Harboring a Minor

Part 7. Contributing to Delinquency

Part 8. Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is a sentencing enhancer, which means that it is applied to other crimes. For more information about domestic violence charges, see our guide.

Article 7. Offenses Relating to Morals

Offenses that “relate to morals” criminalize conduct that is thought to offend society and its collective values. Historically, these offenses were seen to have no “victims,” and can even have occurred between consenting adults. In more recent years, this has become the section in which Colorado has decided to locate its laws that do have victims, like child prostitution and invasion of privacy.

Part 1. Obscenity

Part 2. Prostitution

Part 3. Public Indecency

 Part 4. Child Prostitution

Part 5. Sexually Explicit Materials Harmful to Children

Part 6. Visual Representations Containing Actual Violence

Part 7. Sexual Conduct in a Correctional Institution

Part 8. Criminal Invasion of Privacy

Part 9. Unlawful Distribution of Suicide Recordings

Article 8. Offenses—Governmental Operations

Offenses against governmental operations include actions that make the government’s job harder. This can include bribing a public official, lying under oath, and official misconduct.

Part 1. Obstruction of Public Justice

Part 2. Escape and Offenses Relating to Custody

Part 3. Bribery and Corrupt Influences

Part 4. Abuse of Public Office

Part 5. Perjury and Related Offenses

Part 6. Offenses Relating to Judicial and Other Proceedings

Part 7. Victims and Witnesses Protection

Part 8. Offenses Relating to Use of Force by Peace Officers

Article 9. Offenses Against Public Peace, Order, and Decency

Offenses against public peace are similar to offenses against morals and government operations. This “catch-all” section includes inciting a riot, loitering, and animal fighting along with wiretapping and eavesdropping.

Part 1. Public Peace and Order

Part 2. Cruelty to Animals

Part 3. Offenses involving Communications

Article 12. Offenses Relating to Firearms and Weapons

Firearms and weapons have their own section in Title 18. Specialized statutes include removing the serial number from a weapon, unlawful possession or use, and discharging weapons illegally.

Article 13. Miscellaneous Offenses

The miscellaneous section includes offense that govern many things, including the setting of fires, secondhand sales of goods, and distribution of kratom.

Article 15 – Making, financing, or collection of loans

Article 17. Colorado Organized Crime Control Act

COCCA is Colorado’s version of RICO (the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act), whcih is a US federal law. It provides for extended criminal and civil penalties for acts performed as part of an ongoing criminal organization.

Article 18. Drug Crimes — Uniform Controlled Substances Act of 1992

Colorado’s oft-changing drug crimes statute is in Article 18. Much like federal law, most controlled substances are defined using schedules (found in Part 2 of the Article). Offenses are defined in Part 4.

Article 20. Offenses related to Limited Gaming

Though gaming (or gambling) is allowed in Colorado, it is highly restricted. Article 20 criminalizes violations of the gaming statutes and other acts related to limited gaming.

Article 23. Gang Recruitment Act

Colorado has criminalized friend-groups and neighborhood associations when the police decide that the group is a “criminal street gang.”

Other Crimes located across Colorado’s Revised Statutes

  • CRS 19-3-304 – Persons required to report child abuse or neglect
  • CRS 24-33.5-2010 – Unlawful possession of fireworks.
  • CRS 33-6-125 – Possession of a Loaded Firearm in a Motor Vehicle
  • CRS 33-6-126 – Shooting from a public road
  • CRS 44-3-901 – Furnishing alcohol to a minor

Colorado Traffic Offenses

Title 42. Vehicles and Traffic – Article 2. Drivers’ Licenses

Part 1. Drivers’ Licenses

  • CRS 42–2–101 – Driving Without a License
  • CRS 42–2–136 – Unlawful Possession or Use of License 
  • CRS 42–2–137 – False Affidavit 
  • CRS 42–2–138 – Driving Under Restraint
  • CRS 42–2–139 – Permitting Unauthorized Minor to Drive
  • CRS 42–2–140 – Permitting Unauthorized Person to Drive

Part 2. Habitual Offenders

  • CRS 42-2-206 – Driving After Revocation Prohibited (DARP)

Part 3. Unlawful Acts

  • CRS 42-2-309 – Unlawful Acts With a False ID 

Part 4. Commercial Drivers’ Licenses

  • CRS 42–2–409 – Unlawful Possession or Use of a Commercial Driver’s License

Title 43. Transportation

Part 2. Equipment

  • CRS 42-3-302 – Driving without license plates
  • CRS 42-4-217 – Failure to Use High Beams
  • CRS 42-4-239 – Texting and Driving

Part 7. Rights of Way

  • CRS 42-4-701 – Failure to Yield to Driver on Right at Intersection
  • CRS 42-4-702 – Turning Left Into Oncoming Traffic
  • CRS 42-4-703 – Failure to Yield Right of Way at Intersection
  • CRS 42-4-705 – Failure to Yield to Emergency Vehicle
  • CRS 42-4-707 – Stopping in a Crosswalk or Intersection

Part 8. Pedestrians

  • CRS 42-4-806 – Driving Through a Safety Zone
  • CRS 42-4-807 – Drivers to Exercise Due Care to Pedestrians

Part 9. Turning – Stopping

  • CRS 42-4-902 – Illegal U-turns

Part 10. Driving – Overtaking – Passing

  • CRS 42-4-1001 – Driving on the Left Side of the Road
  • CRS 42-4-1006 – Driving Wrong Way on a One-Way Road
  • CRS 42-4-1007 – Unsafe Lane Changes
  • CRS 42-4-1010 – Driving on Wrong Side of Divided Highway

Part 11. Speed Regulations

  • CRS 42-4-1101 – Speeding
  • CRS 42-4-1105 – Speed contests and exhibitions

DUI –  § 42-4-1301 C.R.S.

  • Driving under the influence (DUI)
  • Driving with excessive alcoholic content (DUI per se)
  • Driving while ability impaired (DWAI)
  • Excess BAC CDL
  • Refusing to take a DUI chemical test
  • Underage drinking and driving (UDD)
  • CRS 42–4–1305 – Driving With an Open Alcoholic Beverage Container
  • CRS 42–4–1305.5 – Driving With an Open Marijuana Container
  • CRS 42-4-1409 – Driving Without Insurance
  • CRS 42-4-1413 – Eluding or attempting to elude a police officer
  • CRS 42–4–1601 – Hit and run
  • CRS 42-4-1602 – Hit and Run with Vehicle Property Damage
  • CRS 42-4-1603 – Hit and run with injury
  • CRS 42-4-1606 – Failure to file an accident report

Article 5. Automobile Theft

  • CRS 42–5–103 – Tampering with a Motor Vehicle
  • CRS 42–5–104 – Theft of License Plates