Minor in Possession
C.R.S. 18-13-122 — alcohol or marijuana under twenty-one is an unclassified petty offense, up to $100 the first time
A person under twenty-one who possesses or consumes alcohol anywhere in Colorado, or who possesses two ounces or less of marijuana or consumes it, commits an unclassified petty offense.
Who handles this in Colorado: legal aid programs and the state offices, listed in the Colorado directory.
| Conviction | What the court orders |
|---|---|
| ConvictionFirst | What the court ordersA fine of not more than $100, or a substance abuse education program |
| ConvictionSecond | What the court ordersA fine of not more than $100, and further programs the section lists |
| ConvictionThird or later | What the court ordersA fine of up to $250, and further programs the section lists |
- Alcohol on private property, with the owner's consent, and with a parent or legal guardian present who consents.
- Tasting, without drinking, under a post secondary instructor's direct supervision as part of an enrolled course.
- Religious purposes protected by the First Amendment.
An underage person who is the first to call 911 for someone needing medical help from alcohol or marijuana, and who meets the section's other conditions, is immune from arrest and prosecution under it, as is the person who needed help.
Sources for this section (1)
- C.R.S. 18-13-122 — Illegal possession or consumption of ethyl alcohol or marijuana by an underage person - illegal possession of marijuana paraphernalia by an underage person - adolescent substance abuse prevention and treatment fund - legislative declaration - definitions
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Colorado attorney.