Colorado criminal charge
False report of explosives, weapons, or harmful substances in Colorado
False report of explosives, weapons, or harmful substances is a criminal offense under Colorado law, defined by C.R.S. § 18-8-110. 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. § 18-8-110.
What is the penalty for false report of explosives, weapons, or harmful substances in Colorado?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | 1 years to 3 years (False report of bomb, explosive, chemical/biological agent, poison, weapon, or radioactive substance — A person knowingly makes a false report that a bomb or other explosive, chemical or biological agent, poison or weapon, or harmful radioactive substance has been placed in a public or private place or transportation vehicle.) | presumptive | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Fine | 1000 usd to 100000 usd (False report of bomb, explosive, chemical/biological agent, poison, weapon, or radioactive substance — A person knowingly makes a false report that a bomb or other explosive, chemical or biological agent, poison or weapon, or harmful radioactive substance has been placed in a public or private place or transportation vehicle.) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Parole / supervision | 2 years to 2 years (False report of bomb, explosive, chemical/biological agent, poison, weapon, or radioactive substance — A person knowingly makes a false report that a bomb or other explosive, chemical or biological agent, poison or weapon, or harmful radioactive substance has been placed in a public or private place or transportation vehicle.; mandatory parole) | mandatory | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Jail / prison | 12 months to 18 months (False report of mass shooting or active shooter — A person knowingly makes a false report of a mass shooting or active shooter in a public or private place or transportation vehicle that causes evacuation, shelter-in-place order, disruption of regular activities, or initiation of a standard response protocol.) | presumptive | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Fine | 1000 usd to 100000 usd (False report of mass shooting or active shooter — A person knowingly makes a false report of a mass shooting or active shooter in a public or private place or transportation vehicle that causes evacuation, shelter-in-place order, disruption of regular activities, or initiation of a standard response protocol.) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Parole / supervision | 1 years to 1 years (False report of mass shooting or active shooter — A person knowingly makes a false report of a mass shooting or active shooter in a public or private place or transportation vehicle that causes evacuation, shelter-in-place order, disruption of regular activities, or initiation of a standard response protocol.; mandatory parole) | mandatory | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
Applies to offenses on/after 2018-07-01.
How is false report of explosives, weapons, or harmful substances classified in Colorado?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| False report of bomb, explosive, chemical/biological agent, poison, weapon, or radioactive substance | class 5 felony | A person knowingly makes a false report that a bomb or other explosive, chemical or biological agent, poison or weapon, or harmful radioactive substance has been placed in a public or private place or transportation vehicle. | 18-8-110(1) |
| False report of mass shooting or active shooter | class 6 felony | A person knowingly makes a false report of a mass shooting or active shooter in a public or private place or transportation vehicle that causes evacuation, shelter-in-place order, disruption of regular activities, or initiation of a standard response protocol. | 18-8-110(2) |
Common questions about false report of explosives, weapons, or harmful substances in Colorado
Is false report of explosives, weapons, or harmful substances a felony or a misdemeanor in Colorado?
It depends on the circumstances: false report of explosives, weapons, or harmful substances ranges from a class 6 felony to a class 5 felony in Colorado under C.R.S. § 18-8-110.
False report of bomb, explosive, chemical/biological agent, poison, weapon, or radioactive substance: class 5 felony (C.R.S. § 18-8-110(1)) · False report of mass shooting or active shooter: class 6 felony (C.R.S. § 18-8-110(2))
What are the penalties for false report of explosives, weapons, or harmful substances in Colorado?
Penalties for false report of explosives, weapons, or harmful substances in Colorado depend on how it is classified — from a class 6 felony up to a class 5 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 false report of explosives, weapons, or harmful substances?
False report of explosives, weapons, or harmful substances is governed by C.R.S. § 18-8-110 (False report of explosives, weapons, or harmful substances).
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.