Restoring Civil Rights After a Felony in Colorado

How Colorado law treats restoring rights after a felony, from the state code and official state agencies.

Short answer: Colorado restores voting automatically: the bar on registering and voting ends when a person is no longer serving a sentence of detention or confinement for a felony, so a person can vote while on parole. C.R.S. §§ 1-2-103(4); 18-12-108(1)-(3); 18-1.3-801(1)(d)

Restoring rights after a felony	Colorado restores voting automatically: the bar on registering and voting ends when a person is no longer serving a sentence of detention or confinement for a felony, so a person can vote while on parole. Firearm rights are not restored the same way: possessing a firearm after any felony conviction is the crime of possession of a weapon by a previous offender (a class 5 felony), and for juvenile felony adjudications the ban lasts 10 years after the sentence is completed, after which the person may ask a court to lift it for good cause. The habitual criminal statute notes the governor may issue a pardon or clemency order case by case. Source: C.R.S. §§ 1-2-103(4); 18-12-108(1)-(3); 18-1.3-801(1)(d)

Restoring rights after a felony

Colorado restores voting automatically: the bar on registering and voting ends when a person is no longer serving a sentence of detention or confinement for a felony, so a person can vote while on parole. Firearm rights are not restored the same way: possessing a firearm after any felony conviction is the crime of possession of a weapon by a previous offender (a class 5 felony), and for juvenile felony adjudications the ban lasts 10 years after the sentence is completed, after which the person may ask a court to lift it for good cause. The habitual criminal statute notes the governor may issue a pardon or clemency order case by case.

Source: C.R.S. §§ 1-2-103(4); 18-12-108(1)-(3); 18-1.3-801(1)(d)

More Colorado criminal law

FAQ

How do you restore your rights after a felony in Colorado?

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.