Colorado criminal charge
Sentencing in Colorado
Sentencing is a criminal offense under Colorado law, defined by C.R.S. § 19-2.5-1117. 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. § 19-2.5-1117.
What is the penalty for sentencing in Colorado?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | 4 years to 12 years (Standard juvenile felony/misdemeanor commitment — If a juvenile younger than twelve years of age (not an aggravated juvenile offender) is adjudicated for an offense that would constitute a class 1, class 2, or class 3 felony if committed by an adult, the court may commit the juvenile to the department of human services for up to two years.) | presumptive | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Fine | 3000 usd to 750000 usd (Standard juvenile felony/misdemeanor commitment — If a juvenile younger than twelve years of age (not an aggravated juvenile offender) is adjudicated for an offense that would constitute a class 1, class 2, or class 3 felony if committed by an adult, the court may commit the juvenile to the department of human services for up to two years.) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Parole / supervision | 3 years to 3 years (Standard juvenile felony/misdemeanor commitment — If a juvenile younger than twelve years of age (not an aggravated juvenile offender) is adjudicated for an offense that would constitute a class 1, class 2, or class 3 felony if committed by an adult, the court may commit the juvenile to the department of human services for up to two years.; mandatory parole) | mandatory | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Jail / prison | 8 years to 24 years (Aggravated juvenile offender — class 2 felony — An aggravated juvenile offender adjudicated for an offense that would constitute a class 2 felony if committed by an adult must be committed for at least three but not more than five years.) | presumptive | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Fine | 5000 usd to 1000000 usd (Aggravated juvenile offender — class 2 felony — An aggravated juvenile offender adjudicated for an offense that would constitute a class 2 felony if committed by an adult must be committed for at least three but not more than five years.) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Parole / supervision | 3 years to 3 years (Aggravated juvenile offender — class 2 felony — An aggravated juvenile offender adjudicated for an offense that would constitute a class 2 felony if committed by an adult must be committed for at least three but not more than five years.; mandatory parole (5 years if crime of violence)) | mandatory | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Jail / prison | Aggravated juvenile offender — class 1 felony — An aggravated juvenile offender adjudicated for an offense that would constitute a class 1 felony if committed by an adult must be committed for at least three but not more than seven years.; life imprisonment | mandatory | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Jail / prison | 4 years to 12 years (Non-aggravated juvenile, age 10-11, felony commitment — A juvenile aged ten or eleven who is not an aggravated juvenile offender may be committed to the department only if adjudicated for an offense that would constitute a class 1, class 2, or class 3 felony if committed by an adult, for up to two years.) | presumptive | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Fine | 3000 usd to 750000 usd (Non-aggravated juvenile, age 10-11, felony commitment — A juvenile aged ten or eleven who is not an aggravated juvenile offender may be committed to the department only if adjudicated for an offense that would constitute a class 1, class 2, or class 3 felony if committed by an adult, for up to two years.) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Parole / supervision | 3 years to 3 years (Non-aggravated juvenile, age 10-11, felony commitment — A juvenile aged ten or eleven who is not an aggravated juvenile offender may be committed to the department only if adjudicated for an offense that would constitute a class 1, class 2, or class 3 felony if committed by an adult, for up to two years.; mandatory parole) | mandatory | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
Applies to offenses on/after 2018-07-01.
How is sentencing classified in Colorado?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard juvenile felony/misdemeanor commitment | class 3 felony | If a juvenile younger than twelve years of age (not an aggravated juvenile offender) is adjudicated for an offense that would constitute a class 1, class 2, or class 3 felony if committed by an adult, the court may commit the juvenile to the department of human services for up to two years. | 19-2.5-1117(1)(a) |
| Aggravated juvenile offender — class 2 felony | class 2 felony | An aggravated juvenile offender adjudicated for an offense that would constitute a class 2 felony if committed by an adult must be committed for at least three but not more than five years. | 19-2.5-1117(6)(b)(II) |
| Aggravated juvenile offender — class 1 felony | class 1 felony | An aggravated juvenile offender adjudicated for an offense that would constitute a class 1 felony if committed by an adult must be committed for at least three but not more than seven years. | 19-2.5-1117(6)(b)(III) |
| Non-aggravated juvenile, age 10-11, felony commitment | class 3 felony | A juvenile aged ten or eleven who is not an aggravated juvenile offender may be committed to the department only if adjudicated for an offense that would constitute a class 1, class 2, or class 3 felony if committed by an adult, for up to two years. | 19-2.5-1117(6)(c) |
Common questions about sentencing in Colorado
Is sentencing a felony or a misdemeanor in Colorado?
It depends on the circumstances: sentencing ranges from a class 3 felony to a class 1 felony in Colorado under C.R.S. § 19-2.5-1117.
Standard juvenile felony/misdemeanor commitment: class 3 felony (C.R.S. § 19-2.5-1117(1)(a)) · Aggravated juvenile offender — class 2 felony: class 2 felony (C.R.S. § 19-2.5-1117(6)(b)(II)) · Aggravated juvenile offender — class 1 felony: class 1 felony (C.R.S. § 19-2.5-1117(6)(b)(III)) · Non-aggravated juvenile, age 10-11, felony commitment: class 3 felony (C.R.S. § 19-2.5-1117(6)(c))
What are the penalties for sentencing in Colorado?
Penalties for sentencing in Colorado depend on how it is classified — from a class 3 felony up to a class 1 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 sentencing?
Sentencing is governed by C.R.S. § 19-2.5-1117 (Sentencing - commitment to the department of human services - definitions).
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.