WHAT EACH CHARGE CARRIES

31 charges people actually meet, each with the section it comes from, what it requires the state to show, and the most it can carry. Colorado grades offenses by class: a petty offense, two misdemeanor classes, two classes of misdemeanor traffic offense, and six felony classes. Each level here gives its class's range for an offense committed on or after the dates the penalty sections set.

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31 charges

Driving under the influence

OWN TERMS to F4 · up to 2 to 6 years

Also searched as DUI, DUI per se, drunk driving

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or with a BAC of 0.08 or more at the time of driving or within two hours after.

Class and maximums for Driving under the influence
Class	Up to	When
OWN TERMSOffense with terms set by its own section	As its section sets$600 to $1,000 fine	WhenA first offense, 5 days to 1 year
OWN TERMSOffense with terms set by its own section	As its section sets$600 to $1,500 fine	WhenA second offense, 10 consecutive days to 1 year
OWN TERMSOffense with terms set by its own section	As its section sets$600 to $1,500 fine	WhenA third offense, 60 consecutive days to 1 year
F4Class 4 felony	2 to 6 years$2,000 to five hundred thousand dollars fine	WhenAfter three or more prior convictions for DUI, DWAI, vehicular homicide or vehicular assault

Read the section →

Driving while ability impaired

OWN TERMS · up to as its section sets

Also searched as DWAI, impaired driving

Driving after alcohol or drugs affect the person to the slightest degree, so that they are less able to drive safely.

Class and maximums for Driving while ability impaired
Class	Up to	When
OWN TERMSOffense with terms set by its own section	As its section sets$200 to $500 fine	WhenA first offense, 2 to 180 days

Read the section →

Reckless driving

M2 TRAFFIC · up to 90 days

Also searched as

Driving a motor vehicle, bicycle or scooter in a way that shows a wanton or willful disregard for the safety of persons or property.

Class and maximums for Reckless driving
Class	Up to	When
M2 TRAFFICClass 2 misdemeanor traffic offense	Up to 90 days$300 fine	WhenA first conviction

A second or later conviction brings a fine of $50 to $1,000, or ten days to six months in jail, or both.

Read the section →

Passing a stopped school bus

M2 TRAFFIC to M1 TRAFFIC · up to 1 year

Also searched as school bus violation

Failing to stop at least twenty feet back, from either direction, for a school bus that has stopped with its visual signal on, as the section describes.

Class and maximums for Passing a stopped school bus
Class	Up to	When
M2 TRAFFICClass 2 misdemeanor traffic offense	Up to 90 days$300 fine	WhenA first violation
M1 TRAFFICClass 1 misdemeanor traffic offense	Up to 1 year$1,000 fine	WhenWith a conviction for the same within the previous five years

Read the section →

Eluding a police officer

M2 TRAFFIC · up to 90 days

Also searched as fleeing police, not pulling over

Willfully speeding up or turning off the lights to elude a police officer driving a marked car who has signaled the driver to stop with a red light or siren.

Class and maximums for Eluding a police officer
Class	Up to	When
M2 TRAFFICClass 2 misdemeanor traffic offense	Up to 90 days$300 fine	WhenEluding without driving recklessly

Read the section →

Vehicular eluding

F5 to F3 · up to 4 to 12 years

Also searched as felony eluding

Knowingly eluding or attempting to elude a peace officer also driving a vehicle, knowing or reasonably knowing of the pursuit, while driving in a reckless manner.

Class and maximums for Vehicular eluding
Class	Up to	When
F5Class 5 felony	1 to 3 years$1,000 to one hundred thousand dollars fine	WhenVehicular eluding
F4Class 4 felony	2 to 6 years$2,000 to five hundred thousand dollars fine	WhenResulting in bodily injury to another person
F3Class 3 felony	4 to 12 years$3,000 to seven hundred fifty thousand dollars fine	WhenResulting in death to another person

Read the section →

Assault in the third degree

M1 · up to 364 days

Also searched as simple assault, assault

Knowingly or recklessly causing bodily injury to another, or with criminal negligence causing bodily injury by means of a deadly weapon.

Class and maximums for Assault in the third degree
Class	Up to	When
M1Class 1 misdemeanor	Up to 364 days$1,000 fine	WhenAny third degree assault

Read the section →

Assault in the second degree

F4 · up to 2 to 6 years

Also searched as assault with a deadly weapon

Intending bodily injury and causing it with a deadly weapon, or intentionally injuring someone to stop a peace officer, firefighter or emergency medical provider from a lawful duty, among the forms the section lists.

Class and maximums for Assault in the second degree
Class	Up to	When
F4Class 4 felony	2 to 6 years$2,000 to five hundred thousand dollars fine	WhenWithout a sudden heat of passion

Read the section →

Assault in the first degree

F3 · up to 4 to 12 years

Also searched as aggravated assault

Causing serious bodily injury with intent, among the forms the section lists, including with a deadly weapon.

Class and maximums for Assault in the first degree
Class	Up to	When
F3Class 3 felony	4 to 12 years$3,000 to seven hundred fifty thousand dollars fine	WhenWithout a sudden heat of passion

Read the section →

Harassment

M2 to M1 · up to 364 days

Also searched as online harassment, texts harassment

With intent to harass, annoy or alarm, touching a person, following them in public, or initiating electronic communication intended to harass or threaten, among the forms the section lists.

Class and maximums for Harassment
Class	Up to	When
M2Class 2 misdemeanor	Up to 120 daysNot more than a seven hundred fifty dollar fine fine	WhenHarassment by phone, text, message or other electronic medium
M1Class 1 misdemeanor	Up to 364 days$1,000 fine	WhenPhysical contact or following, or harassment motivated by a protected characteristic

Read the section →

Stalking

F5 to F4 · up to 2 to 6 years

Also searched as

Knowingly making a credible threat and repeatedly following, contacting or watching the person or their family, or repeatedly doing those things in a way that causes serious emotional distress.

Class and maximums for Stalking
Class	Up to	When
F5Class 5 felony	1 to 3 years$1,000 to one hundred thousand dollars fine	WhenA first offense
F4Class 4 felony	2 to 6 years$2,000 to five hundred thousand dollars fine	WhenA second offense within seven years of a prior conviction

Read the section →

Violation of a protection order

M2 · up to 120 days

Also searched as violating a restraining order

Contacting, harassing, threatening or touching the protected person, or entering places the order bars, after being personally served with the order or otherwise learning its contents from the court or law enforcement.

Class and maximums for Violation of a protection order
Class	Up to	When
M2Class 2 misdemeanor	Up to 120 daysNot more than a seven hundred fifty dollar fine fine	WhenWithout a prior conviction for violating one

Read the section →

Theft

PETTY to F2 · up to 8 to 24 years

Also searched as shoplifting, stealing, larceny

Knowingly obtaining, retaining or exercising control over anything of value of another without authorization, or by threat or deception, intending to deprive the other of it.

Class and maximums for Theft
Class	Up to	When
PETTYPetty offense	Up to 10 days$300 fine	WhenLess than $300
M2Class 2 misdemeanor	Up to 120 daysNot more than a seven hundred fifty dollar fine fine	When$300 or more but less than $1,000
M1Class 1 misdemeanor	Up to 364 days$1,000 fine	When$1,000 or more but less than $2,000
F6Class 6 felony	1 year to 18 months$1,000 to one hundred thousand dollars fine	When$2,000 or more but less than $5,000, or a firearm of any value
F5Class 5 felony	1 to 3 years$1,000 to one hundred thousand dollars fine	When$5,000 or more but less than $20,000, or theft from the person of another
F4Class 4 felony	2 to 6 years$2,000 to five hundred thousand dollars fine	When$20,000 or more but less than $100,000
F3Class 3 felony	4 to 12 years$3,000 to seven hundred fifty thousand dollars fine	When$100,000 or more but less than one million dollars
F2Class 2 felony	8 to 24 yearsFrom $5,000, up to the class's statutory maximum fine	WhenOne million dollars or more

Read the section →

Third degree criminal trespass

PETTY · up to 10 days

Also searched as trespassing

Unlawfully entering or remaining in or upon the premises of another.

Class and maximums for Third degree criminal trespass
Class	Up to	When
PETTYPetty offense	Up to 10 days$300 fine	WhenAny third degree trespass, outside agricultural land

Read the section →

Second degree criminal trespass

PETTY · up to 10 days

Also searched as trespassing on fenced land

Unlawfully entering or remaining on premises enclosed or fenced to keep intruders out, or knowingly in the common areas of a hotel, motel, condominium or apartment building.

Class and maximums for Second degree criminal trespass
Class	Up to	When
PETTYPetty offense	Up to 10 days$300 fine	WhenFenced or enclosed premises, or common areas

Read the section →

First degree criminal trespass

M1 to F6 · up to 1 year to 18 months

Also searched as trespassing in a home

Knowingly and unlawfully entering or remaining in a dwelling of another, or entering a motor vehicle intending to commit a crime in it.

Class and maximums for First degree criminal trespass
Class	Up to	When
M1Class 1 misdemeanor	Up to 364 days$1,000 fine	WhenA dwelling not inhabited or occupied, or a motor vehicle
F6Class 6 felony	1 year to 18 months$1,000 to one hundred thousand dollars fine	WhenA dwelling that is inhabited or occupied

Read the section →

Identity theft

M2 to F4 · up to 2 to 6 years

Also searched as using someone's identity, credit card fraud

Knowingly using, or possessing intending to use, another's personal or financial identifying information or financial device without permission to obtain anything of value.

Class and maximums for Identity theft
Class	Up to	When
M2Class 2 misdemeanor	Up to 120 daysNot more than a seven hundred fifty dollar fine fine	WhenPossessing the information or device, intending it to be used
F5Class 5 felony	1 to 3 years$1,000 to one hundred thousand dollars fine	WhenPossessing three or more financial devices
F4Class 4 felony	2 to 6 years$2,000 to five hundred thousand dollars fine	WhenUsing the information or device to obtain something of value

Read the section →

Resisting arrest

M2 · up to 120 days

Also searched as resisting

Knowingly preventing or trying to prevent a peace officer from making an arrest, by using or threatening force or violence, or by any means creating a substantial risk of bodily injury.

Class and maximums for Resisting arrest
Class	Up to	When
M2Class 2 misdemeanor	Up to 120 daysNot more than a seven hundred fifty dollar fine fine	WhenAny resisting arrest

Read the section →

Obstructing a peace officer

M2 · up to 120 days

Also searched as obstruction

Using or threatening violence, force, physical interference or an obstacle to knowingly obstruct, impair or hinder the enforcement of the law.

Class and maximums for Obstructing a peace officer
Class	Up to	When
M2Class 2 misdemeanor	Up to 120 daysNot more than a seven hundred fifty dollar fine fine	WhenAny obstructing

Remaining silent, or stating a verbal opposition to an order, cannot be charged as obstructing.

Read the section →

Disorderly conduct

PETTY to M1 · up to 364 days

Also searched as disturbing the peace

Intentionally, knowingly or recklessly making an offensive display that tends to incite a breach of the peace, unreasonable noise, fighting in public, or discharging a firearm in public, among the forms the section lists.

Class and maximums for Disorderly conduct
Class	Up to	When
PETTYPetty offense	Up to 10 days$300 fine	WhenAn offensive display, unreasonable noise, or fighting in public
M1Class 1 misdemeanor	Up to 364 days$1,000 fine	WhenDischarging a firearm in a public place

Read the section →

Eavesdropping

M2 · up to 120 days

Also searched as illegal recording

Knowingly overhearing or recording a conversation, by a person not visibly present, without the consent of at least one of the principal parties.

Class and maximums for Eavesdropping
Class	Up to	When
M2Class 2 misdemeanor	Up to 120 daysNot more than a seven hundred fifty dollar fine fine	WhenAny eavesdropping

Read the section →

Wiretapping

M2 · up to 120 days

Also searched as intercepting a call

Knowingly recording a telephone or electronic communication, by a person who is neither sender nor intended receiver, without the consent of either.

Class and maximums for Wiretapping
Class	Up to	When
M2Class 2 misdemeanor	Up to 120 daysNot more than a seven hundred fifty dollar fine fine	WhenAny wiretapping

Read the section →

Hazing

M2 · up to 120 days

Also searched as

Recklessly endangering someone's health or safety, or risking bodily injury, for initiation into or affiliation with a student organization.

Class and maximums for Hazing
Class	Up to	When
M2Class 2 misdemeanor	Up to 120 daysNot more than a seven hundred fifty dollar fine fine	WhenAny hazing

Read the section →

Failing to report child abuse

M2 · up to 120 days

Also searched as mandatory reporter violation

A person on the section's list willfully failing to report, with reasonable cause to know or suspect that a child has been abused or neglected.

Class and maximums for Failing to report child abuse
Class	Up to	When
M2Class 2 misdemeanor	Up to 120 daysNot more than a seven hundred fifty dollar fine fine	WhenA willful failure to report

Read the section →

Unlawfully carrying a concealed weapon

M1 · up to 364 days

Also searched as carrying without a permit, concealed knife

Knowingly and unlawfully carrying a knife or firearm concealed on or about the person, outside the home, business, private vehicle and permit exceptions.

Class and maximums for Unlawfully carrying a concealed weapon
Class	Up to	When
M1Class 1 misdemeanor	Up to 364 days$1,000 fine	WhenA concealed knife or firearm

Read the section →

Possession of a weapon by a previous offender

F5 · up to 1 to 3 years

Also searched as POWPO, felon in possession

Knowingly possessing, using or carrying a firearm or other covered weapon after a felony conviction, or a juvenile adjudication for an act that would be one.

Class and maximums for Possession of a weapon by a previous offender
Class	Up to	When
F5Class 5 felony	1 to 3 years$1,000 to one hundred thousand dollars fine	WhenAny violation

Read the section →

Private firearm transfer without a background check

M2 · up to 120 days

Also searched as universal background check violation

A person who is not a licensed dealer transferring a firearm without a background check through a licensed dealer, outside the exceptions.

Class and maximums for Private firearm transfer without a background check
Class	Up to	When
M2Class 2 misdemeanor	Up to 120 daysNot more than a seven hundred fifty dollar fine fine	WhenAny violation

The person is also barred from possessing a firearm for two years from the conviction.

Read the section →

Possession of more than two ounces of marijuana

DM2 · up to 364 days

Also searched as marijuana possession

Possessing more than two ounces but not more than six ounces of marijuana, or not more than three ounces of marijuana concentrate.

Class and maximums for Possession of more than two ounces of marijuana
Class	Up to	When
DM2Level 2 drug misdemeanor	Up to 364 daysA seven hundred fifty dollar fine fine	WhenTwo to six ounces

Read the section →

Open and public marijuana use

OWN TERMS · up to as its section sets

Also searched as smoking in public

Openly and publicly displaying, consuming or using two ounces or less of marijuana, outside a licensed hospitality business.

Class and maximums for Open and public marijuana use
Class	Up to	When
OWN TERMSOffense with terms set by its own section	As its section setsUp to $100 fine	WhenA drug petty offense, with up to 24 hours of community service

C.R.S. 18-18-406

Read the section →

Possession of drug paraphernalia

OWN TERMS · up to as its section sets

Also searched as paraphernalia

Possessing drug paraphernalia while knowing, or when one reasonably should know, it could be used in violation of the drug laws.

Class and maximums for Possession of drug paraphernalia
Class	Up to	When
OWN TERMSOffense with terms set by its own section	As its section setsNot more than $100 fine	WhenA drug petty offense

C.R.S. 18-18-428

Read the section →

Underage possession or consumption

OWN TERMS · up to as its section sets

Also searched as MIP, underage drinking

A person under twenty-one possessing or consuming alcohol, or possessing two ounces or less of marijuana or consuming it.

Class and maximums for Underage possession or consumption
Class	Up to	When
OWN TERMSOffense with terms set by its own section	As its section setsNot more than $100 fine	WhenA first or second conviction, an unclassified petty offense
OWN TERMSOffense with terms set by its own section	As its section setsUp to $250 fine	WhenA third or later conviction

C.R.S. 18-13-122

Read the section →

Every level on this page, for reference

Felony ranges are the presumptive ranges for offenses on or after July 1, 2020, and misdemeanor ranges for offenses on or after March 1, 2022. Driving under the influence sets its own terms and fines, and those levels state them.

PETTYPetty offenseUp to 10 days$300
M2 TRAFFICClass 2 misdemeanor traffic offenseUp to 90 days$300
M2Class 2 misdemeanorUp to 120 daysNot more than a seven hundred fifty dollar fine
M1Class 1 misdemeanorUp to 364 days$1,000
M1 TRAFFICClass 1 misdemeanor traffic offenseUp to 1 year$1,000
DM2Level 2 drug misdemeanorUp to 364 daysA seven hundred fifty dollar fine
OWN TERMSOffense with terms set by its own sectionAs its section sets
F6Class 6 felony1 year to 18 months$1,000 to one hundred thousand dollars
F5Class 5 felony1 to 3 years$1,000 to one hundred thousand dollars
F4Class 4 felony2 to 6 years$2,000 to five hundred thousand dollars
F3Class 3 felony4 to 12 years$3,000 to seven hundred fifty thousand dollars
F2Class 2 felony8 to 24 yearsFrom $5,000, up to the class's statutory maximum

Words on a charging document

Terms with a legal meaning that is narrower than the everyday one. Each links to the definition and the authority behind it.

About this guide — maximums, not predictions. What a specific case carries turns on priors, the facts, and the court, and only a licensed Colorado attorney can tell you what yours is. Current as of October 2026.