Colorado criminal charge
Criminal extortion in Colorado
Criminal extortion is a criminal offense under Colorado law, defined by C.R.S. § 18-3-207. Its classification is not fixed: Colorado assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.
Defined by C.R.S. § 18-3-207.
What is the penalty for criminal extortion in Colorado?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | 2 years to 6 years (Criminal extortion — Applies to criminal extortion as described in subsections (1) and (1.5), involving threats to induce action against a person's will through unlawful acts, third-party action, or threatening to report immigration status.) | presumptive | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Fine | 2000 usd to 500000 usd (Criminal extortion — Applies to criminal extortion as described in subsections (1) and (1.5), involving threats to induce action against a person's will through unlawful acts, third-party action, or threatening to report immigration status.) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Parole / supervision | 3 years to 3 years (Criminal extortion — Applies to criminal extortion as described in subsections (1) and (1.5), involving threats to induce action against a person's will through unlawful acts, third-party action, or threatening to report immigration status.; mandatory parole) | mandatory | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Jail / prison | 4 years to 12 years (Aggravated criminal extortion — Applies to aggravated criminal extortion as described in subsection (2), where the threat to cause confinement, restraint, injury, or damage is made by means of chemical, biological, or harmful radioactive agents, weapons, or poison.) | presumptive | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Fine | 3000 usd to 750000 usd (Aggravated criminal extortion — Applies to aggravated criminal extortion as described in subsection (2), where the threat to cause confinement, restraint, injury, or damage is made by means of chemical, biological, or harmful radioactive agents, weapons, or poison.) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Parole / supervision | 3 years to 3 years (Aggravated criminal extortion — Applies to aggravated criminal extortion as described in subsection (2), where the threat to cause confinement, restraint, injury, or damage is made by means of chemical, biological, or harmful radioactive agents, weapons, or poison.; mandatory parole) | mandatory | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
Applies to offenses on/after 2018-07-01.
How is criminal extortion classified in Colorado?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal extortion | class 4 felony | Applies to criminal extortion as described in subsections (1) and (1.5), involving threats to induce action against a person's will through unlawful acts, third-party action, or threatening to report immigration status. | 18-3-207(4) |
| Aggravated criminal extortion | class 3 felony | Applies to aggravated criminal extortion as described in subsection (2), where the threat to cause confinement, restraint, injury, or damage is made by means of chemical, biological, or harmful radioactive agents, weapons, or poison. | 18-3-207(4) |
Common questions about criminal extortion in Colorado
Is criminal extortion a felony or a misdemeanor in Colorado?
It depends on the circumstances: criminal extortion ranges from a class 4 felony to a class 3 felony in Colorado under C.R.S. § 18-3-207.
Criminal extortion: class 4 felony (C.R.S. § 18-3-207(4)) · Aggravated criminal extortion: class 3 felony (C.R.S. § 18-3-207(4))
What are the penalties for criminal extortion in Colorado?
Penalties for criminal extortion in Colorado depend on how it is classified — from a class 4 felony up to a class 3 felony — with the ranges set by C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which Colorado statute covers criminal extortion?
Criminal extortion is governed by C.R.S. § 18-3-207 (Criminal extortion - aggravated extortion).
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.