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Colorado criminal charge

Controlled substances in Colorado

class 4 felonyCurrent through 2026 Colorado legislative session

Controlled substances is a class 4 felony under Colorado criminal law, defined by C.R.S. § 18-5-116. As a class 4 felony, it is punishable within the statutory sentencing range Colorado sets for that offense class. Colorado sorts criminal offenses into felonies, misdemeanors, and petty offenses, each carrying its own penalty range.

Defined by C.R.S. § 18-5-116.

What is the penalty for controlled substances in Colorado?

Penalties for Controlled substances
PenaltyRangeBasisAuthority
Jail / prison2 years to 6 yearspresumptiveC.R.S. § 18-1.3-401
Fine2000 usd to 500000 usddiscretionaryC.R.S. § 18-1.3-401
Parole / supervision3 years to 3 years (mandatory parole)mandatoryC.R.S. § 18-1.3-401

Applies to offenses on/after 2018-07-01.

Common questions about controlled substances in Colorado

Is controlled substances a felony or a misdemeanor in Colorado?

Controlled substances is a class 4 felony in Colorado under C.R.S. § 18-5-116.

What are the penalties for controlled substances in Colorado?

As a class 4 felony, controlled substances carries 2 years to 6 years of incarceration and a fine of $2,000 to $500,000 under C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 (offenses on/after 2018-07-01).

Which Colorado statute covers controlled substances?

Controlled substances is governed by C.R.S. § 18-5-116 (Controlled substances - inducing consumption by fraudulent means).

Legal terms used in this law

This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.