Colorado legal term
Deadly weapon in Colorado Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Colorado legislative session
In Colorado criminal law, “Deadly weapon” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the Colorado criminal code.
What does “Deadly weapon” mean in Colorado criminal law?
"Deadly weapon" means: (I) A firearm, whether loaded or unloaded; or (II) A knife, bludgeon, or any other weapon, device, instrument, material, or substance, whether animate or inanimate, that, in the manner it is used or intended to be used, is capable of producing death or serious bodily injury. (C.R.S. § 18-1-901)
Statutes defining or using this term
Charges using this term
- Engaging in a riot
- Failure or refusal to leave premises or property upon request of a peace officer
- False reporting to authorities
- Unlawfully carrying a weapon
- Aggravated intimidation of a witness or victim
- Aggravated retaliation against a witness or victim
- Aggravated robbery
- Arming rioters
- Assault during escape
- Assault in the first degree
- Assault in the second degree
- Assault in the third degree
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.