Colorado criminal charge
Inciting riot in Colorado
Inciting riot is a criminal offense under Colorado law, defined by C.R.S. § 18-9-102. 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. § 18-9-102.
What is the penalty for inciting riot in Colorado?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 364 days (no statutory minimum) (Inciting riot — no injury or damage — Applies when inciting riot occurs without resulting injury to a person or damage to property.) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-501 |
| Fine | up to 1000 usd (no statutory minimum) (Inciting riot — no injury or damage — Applies when inciting riot occurs without resulting injury to a person or damage to property.) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-501 |
| Jail / prison | 1 years to 3 years (Inciting riot — resulting in injury or damage — Applies when inciting riot results in injury to a person or damage to property.) | presumptive | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Fine | 1000 usd to 100000 usd (Inciting riot — resulting in injury or damage — Applies when inciting riot results in injury to a person or damage to property.) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Parole / supervision | 2 years to 2 years (Inciting riot — resulting in injury or damage — Applies when inciting riot results in injury to a person or damage to property.; mandatory parole) | mandatory | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
Applies to offenses on/after 2022-03-01 (SB21-271).
How is inciting riot classified in Colorado?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inciting riot — no injury or damage | class 1 misdemeanor | Applies when inciting riot occurs without resulting injury to a person or damage to property. | 18-9-102(3) |
| Inciting riot — resulting in injury or damage | class 5 felony | Applies when inciting riot results in injury to a person or damage to property. | 18-9-102(3) |
Common questions about inciting riot in Colorado
Is inciting riot a felony or a misdemeanor in Colorado?
It depends on the circumstances: inciting riot ranges from a class 1 misdemeanor to a class 5 felony in Colorado under C.R.S. § 18-9-102.
Inciting riot — no injury or damage: class 1 misdemeanor (C.R.S. § 18-9-102(3)) · Inciting riot — resulting in injury or damage: class 5 felony (C.R.S. § 18-9-102(3))
What are the penalties for inciting riot in Colorado?
Penalties for inciting riot in Colorado depend on how it is classified — from a class 1 misdemeanor up to a class 5 felony — with the ranges set by C.R.S. § 18-1.3-501 and C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which Colorado statute covers inciting riot?
Inciting riot is governed by C.R.S. § 18-9-102 (Inciting riot).
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.