The Death Penalty in Colorado

How Colorado law treats death penalty, from the state code and official state agencies.

Short answer: Colorado has abolished the death penalty for offenses charged on or after July 1, 2020: for those cases death is not a sentencing option for a class 1 felony, which is punished by life imprisonment. C.R.S. §§ 16-11-901, 18-1.3-1201(1)(a), 18-1.3-801(1)(e)

Death penalty	Colorado has abolished the death penalty for offenses charged on or after July 1, 2020: for those cases death is not a sentencing option for a class 1 felony, which is punished by life imprisonment. The repeal does not commute or alter sentences for offenses charged before July 1, 2020, and any death sentence in effect on that date remains valid; the older capital sentencing procedure still covers class 1 felonies charged before that date. Source: C.R.S. §§ 16-11-901, 18-1.3-1201(1)(a), 18-1.3-801(1)(e)

Death penalty

Colorado has abolished the death penalty for offenses charged on or after July 1, 2020: for those cases death is not a sentencing option for a class 1 felony, which is punished by life imprisonment. The repeal does not commute or alter sentences for offenses charged before July 1, 2020, and any death sentence in effect on that date remains valid; the older capital sentencing procedure still covers class 1 felonies charged before that date.

Source: C.R.S. §§ 16-11-901, 18-1.3-1201(1)(a), 18-1.3-801(1)(e)

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FAQ

Does Colorado have the death penalty?

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.