Colorado statute
C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401.5 — Drug felonies classified - presumptive and aggravated penalties - legislative intent.
Current through 2025 Regular Session
Part of Part 4: SENTENCES TO IMPRISONMENT, Colorado Revised Statutes.
Full text of C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401.5
Statutory text current through the 2025 Regular Session. This is an officially sanctioned publication using the official text of the Colorado Revised Statutes; it is not the official statutes of the State of Colorado.
(1) The provisions of this section only apply to a conviction for a drug felony offense described in article 18 of this title committed on or after October 1, 2013. For purposes of this section, "felony" means any felony or drug felony defined in the state statutes. (2) (a) For offenses committed on or after October 1, 2013, drug felonies are divided into four levels that are distinguished from one another by the ranges of penalties, which are authorized upon conviction of a drug felony: <S1> Level Presumptive Range Period of Parole <S1> DF1 Eight years Thirty-two years Three years DF2 Four years Eight years Two years DF3 Two years Four years One year DF4 Six months One year One year <S1> Level Aggravated Range Period of Parole <S1> DF2 Eight years Sixteen years Two years DF3 Four years Six years One year DF4 One year Two years One year <S1> (b) (I) As to any person sentenced for a drug felony committed on or after October 1, 2013, except as otherwise provided in subparagraph (V) of this paragraph (b) and in subsection (7) of this section, in addition to, or in lieu of, any sentence to imprisonment, probation, community corrections, or work release, a fine within the following ranges may be imposed for the specified level of drug felonies: <S1> Level Minimum Sentence Maximum Sentence <S1> DF1 Five thousand dollars One million dollars DF2 Three thousand dollars Seven hundred fifty thousand dollars DF3 Two thousand dollars Five hundred thousand dollars DF4 One thousand dollars One hundred thousand dollars <S1> (II) Failure to pay a fine imposed pursuant to this paragraph (b) is grounds for revocation of probation, community corrections, or a suspended sentence, if the defendant has the ability to pay the fine. (III) If a revocation occurs pursuant to subparagraph (II) of this paragraph (b), the court may impose any sentence legally available, subject to the provisions of section 18-1.3-104.5 (2). (IV) All fines collected pursuant to this paragraph (b) must be deposited in the fines collection fund created in section 18-1.3-401 (1)(a)(III)(D) and are subject to the provisions of that section. (V) Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (I) of this paragraph (b), a person who has been twice convicted of a felony under the laws of this state, any other state, or the United States prior to the conviction for which he or she is being sentenced shall not be eligible to receive a fine in lieu of any sentence to imprisonment, community corrections, or work release but shall be sentenced to at least the minimum sentence specified in paragraph (a) of this subsection (2) and may receive a fine in addition to said sentence. (2.5) It is the intent of the general assembly that sentencing for crimes that involve fentanyl, carfentanil, benzimidazole opiate, or any analog thereof, as described in section 18-18-204 (2)(g), even in small quantities, reflect the high risk of addiction and death associated with fentanyl, carfentanil, benzimidazole opiate, or any analog thereof. Therefore, the education and treatment procedures provided in section 18-1.3-410 must be implemented to address this substantial health risk. (3) A person who is paroled pursuant to section 17-22.5-403, C.R.S., or any person who is not paroled and is discharged pursuant to law, shall be subject to the mandatory period of parole established pursuant to paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of this section. The mandatory period of parole may not be waived by the offender or waived or suspended by the court and is subject to the provisions of section 17-22.5-403 (6), C.R.S., which permits the state board of parole to discharge the offender at any time during the term of parole upon a determination that the offender has been sufficiently rehabilitated and reintegrated into society and can no longer benefit from parole supervision. (4) The mandatory period of parole imposed pursuant to paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of this section commences immediately upon the discharge of an offender from imprisonment in the custody of the department of corrections. If the offender has been granted release to parole supervision by the state board of parole, the offender is deemed to have discharged the offender's sentence to imprisonment provided for in subsection (2) of this section in the same manner as if such sentence were discharged pursuant to law. When an offender is released by the state board of parole or released because the offender's sentence was discharged pursuant to law, the mandatory period of parole must be served by the offender. An offender sentenced for a drug felony may receive earned time pursuant to section 17-22.5-405, C.R.S., while serving a mandatory parole period in accordance with this section. (5) If an offender is sentenced consecutively for the commission of two or more felony offenses pursuant to sentencing provisions in this section or section 18-1.3-401, the mandatory period of parole for the offender must be the longest mandatory period of parole established for a felony for which the offender was convicted. (6) Any person sentenced for a level 1, 2, 3, or 4 drug felony that is the offender's second or subsequent felony or drug felony offense, regardless of the length of the person's sentence to incarceration and the mandatory period of parole, is not deemed to have fully discharged his or her sentence until the person either completes, or is discharged by the state board of parole from, the mandatory period of parole imposed pursuant to paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of this section. (7) Except as provided in section 18-18-405 (2)(a)(III)(B), notwithstanding any provision of this section to the contrary, if the defendant is convicted of a level 1 drug felony, the court shall sentence the defendant to a term of incarceration in the department of corrections of at least eight years but not more than thirty-two years. The presence of one or more of the aggravating circumstances provided in subsection (10)(a) of this section or in section 18-18-407 (1) requires the court to sentence a defendant convicted of a level 1 drug felony to a term of incarceration in the department of corrections of at least twelve years but no more than thirty-two years. The court may impose a fine in addition to imprisonment. (8) In imposing a sentence to incarceration, the court shall impose a definite sentence that is within the presumptive ranges set forth in subsection (2) of this section; except that, for level 2, level 3, and level 4 drug felonies, the court may sentence the defendant in the aggravated range if it concludes aggravating circumstances exist. The aggravating circumstances must be based on evidence in the record of the sentencing hearing, the presentence report, and any factors agreed to by the parties and must support a different sentence that better serves the purposes of this code with respect to sentencing, as set forth in section 18-1-102.5. (9) In all cases, except as provided in subsection (10) of this section, in which a sentence that is not within the presumptive range is imposed, the court shall make specific findings on the record, detailing the aggravating circumstances that constitute the reasons for varying from the presumptive sentence. (10) (a) Except for a level 1 drug felony, the presence of one or more of the following aggravating circumstances at the time of the commission of a drug felony offense requires the court, if it sentences the defendant to incarceration, to sentence the defendant to a term of at least the midpoint in the presumptive range but not more than the maximum term of the aggravated range: (I) The defendant was on parole for another felony; (II) The defendant was on probation or was on bond while awaiting sentencing following revocation of probation for another felony; (III) The defendant was under confinement, in prison, or in any correctional institution as a convicted felon, or an escapee from any correctional institution for another felony; (III.5) The defendant was on appeal bond following his or her conviction for a previous felony; (IV) The defendant was on probation for or on bond while awaiting sentencing following revocation of probation for a delinquent act that would have constituted a felony if committed by an adult; or (V) The defendant committed a violation of section 18-18-405 (2)(a)(III)(A), and the unlawful distribution, manufacturing, dispensing, or sale of the material, compound, mixture, or preparation weighed more than fifty grams and contained fentanyl, carfentanil, benzimidazole opiate, or an analog thereof as described in section 18-18-204 (2)(g). (b) In any case in which one or more of the aggravating circumstances provided for in paragraph (a) of this subsection (10) exist, the provisions of subsection (9) of this section do not apply. (c) Nothing in this subsection (10) precludes the court from considering aggravating circumstances other than those stated in paragraph (a) of this subsection (10) as the basis for sentencing the defendant to a term greater than the presumptive range for the drug felony. (11) Except for a level 1 drug felony, the presence of any one or more of the following sentence-enhancing circumstances allows the court, if it sentences the defendant to incarceration, to sentence the defendant to a term in the presumptive or aggravated range: (a) At the time of the commission of the drug felony, the defendant was charged with or was on bond for a felony in a previous case and the defendant was convicted of any felony in the previous case; (b) At the time of the commission of the drug felony, the defendant was charged with or was on bond for a delinquent act that would have constituted a felony if committed by an adult; (c) At the time of the commission of the drug felony, the defendant was on bond for having pled guilty to a lesser offense when the original offense charged was a felony; (c.5) At the time of the commission of the drug felony, the defendant was under a deferred judgment and sentence for another felony; (d) At the time of the commission of the drug felony, the defendant was on bond in a juvenile prosecution under title 19, C.R.S., for having pled guilty to a lesser delinquent act when the original delinquent act charged would have constituted a felony if committed by an adult; (e) At the time of the commission of the drug felony, the defendant was under a deferred judgment and sentence for a delinquent act that would have constituted a felony if committed by an adult; or (f) At the time of the commission of the drug felony, the defendant was on parole for having been adjudicated a delinquent child for an offense that would constitute a felony if committed by an adult. (12) When it appears to the satisfaction of the court that the ends of justice and the best interest of the public, as well as the defendant, will be best served thereby, the court has the power to suspend the imposition or execution of sentence for such period and upon such terms and conditions as it may deem best; except that the court may not suspend a sentence when the defendant is convicted of a level 1 drug felony. In no instance may a sentence be suspended if the defendant is ineligible for probation pursuant to section 18-1.3-201, except upon an express waiver being made by the sentencing court regarding a particular defendant upon recommendation of the district attorney and approval of such recommendation by an order of the sentencing court pursuant to section 18-1.3-201 (4). (13) Every sentence entered under this section must include consideration of restitution as required by part 6 of this article and by article 18.5 of title 16, C.R.S. (14) (a) Notwithstanding subsection (2)(a) of this section, for the purpose of sentencing a person convicted of a level 4 drug felony committed on or after July 1, 2022, in violation of section 18-18-403.5 (2.5), a court shall either sentence an offender to probation for up to two years, with the possibility of a total of one hundred eighty days in county jail, or for a third or subsequent offense, a total of up to three hundred sixty-four days in county jail, which may be imposed in whole or in part during the time period of probation as a condition of probation or as a sanction for a violation of probation; or sentence an offender to up to one hundred eighty days in the county jail; except that for a third or subsequent offense, the court may sentence an offender to up to three hundred sixty-four days in the county jail if the court sentences the offender to jail. In addition to the sentence to probation or to the county jail, the court may impose a fine of not more than one thousand dollars. (b) A court may sentence a person convicted of a level 4 drug felony committed on or after July 1, 2022, in violation of section 18-18-403.5 (2.5), to a county jail sentencing alternative provided pursuant to section 18-1.3-106 or placement in a community corrections program as a condition of probation provided pursuant to section 18-1.3-301 (4) as a sentencing alternative. (c) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, an offender convicted of a level 4 drug felony committed on or after July 1, 2022, in violation of section 18-18-403.5 (2.5), is not subject to the jurisdiction of the department of corrections or a mandatory period of parole.
Official sources
Legal terms used in this section
Questions this section answers
What are the penalties for controlled substances in Colorado?
As a level 3 drug felony, controlled substances carries 2 years to 4 years of incarceration and a fine of $2,000 to $500,000 under C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401.5 (offenses on/after 2013-10-01).
What are the penalties for counterfeit substances prohibited in Colorado?
As a level 3 drug felony, counterfeit substances prohibited carries 2 years to 4 years of incarceration and a fine of $2,000 to $500,000 under C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401.5 (offenses on/after 2013-10-01).
What are the penalties for criminal attempt in Colorado?
Penalties for criminal attempt in Colorado depend on how it is classified — from a petty offense up to a class 2 felony — with the ranges set by C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401, C.R.S. § 18-1.3-501, C.R.S. § 18-1.3-503 and C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401.5; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
What are the penalties for extraction of marijuana concentrate in Colorado?
As a level 2 drug felony, extraction of marijuana concentrate carries 4 years to 8 years of incarceration and a fine of $3,000 to $750,000 under C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401.5 (offenses on/after 2013-10-01).
What are the penalties for imitation controlled substances in Colorado?
Penalties for imitation controlled substances in Colorado depend on how it is classified — from a level 1 drug misdemeanor up to a level 3 drug felony — with the ranges set by C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401.5 and C.R.S. § 18-1.3-501; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
What are the penalties for offenses relating to marijuana and marijuana concentrate in Colorado?
Penalties for offenses relating to marijuana and marijuana concentrate in Colorado depend on how it is classified — from a petty offense up to a level 1 drug felony — with the ranges set by C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401.5, C.R.S. § 18-1.3-501 and C.R.S. § 18-1.3-503; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
What are the penalties for offenses relating to natural medicine and natural medicine product in Colorado?
Penalties for offenses relating to natural medicine and natural medicine product in Colorado depend on how it is classified — from a petty offense up to a level 2 drug felony — with the ranges set by C.R.S. § 18-1.3-503 and C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401.5; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
What are the penalties for special offender in Colorado?
As a level 1 drug felony, special offender carries 8 years to 32 years of incarceration and a fine of $5,000 to $1,000,000 under C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401.5 (offenses on/after 2013-10-01).
What are the penalties for unlawful acts in Colorado?
Penalties for unlawful acts in Colorado depend on how it is classified — from a level 2 drug misdemeanor up to a level 3 drug felony — with the ranges set by C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401.5 and C.R.S. § 18-1.3-501; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
What are the penalties for unlawful distribution, manufacturing, dispensing, or sale in Colorado?
Penalties for unlawful distribution, manufacturing, dispensing, or sale in Colorado depend on how it is classified — from a level 1 drug misdemeanor up to a level 3 drug felony — with the ranges set by C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401.5 and C.R.S. § 18-1.3-501; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.