Murder in Colorado law

Murder in Colorado constitutes the intentional killing, under circumstances defined by law, of people within or under the jurisdiction of the U.S. state of Colorado.

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that in the year 2020, the state had a murder rate somewhat below the median for the entire country.[1]

Felony murder rule
For the felony murder rule in all U.S. jurisdictions, see felony murder rule.

In Colorado, the common law felony murder rule has been codified in Colorado Revised Statutes § 18-3-103. As of September 15, 2021, the statute classifies a homicide as second degree murder when committed during one of these predicate felonies:[2][3]

  • Committing or attempting to commit arson, robbery, burglary, kidnapping, sexual assault, or a class 3 felony sexual assault on a child
  • Or if in the course of one of these crimes or the immediate escape from it, anyone causes the death of a person other than one of the participants

Penalties
Offense Mandatory sentencing
Criminally negligent homicide Up to 3 years in prison
Manslaughter 2 to 6 years in prison
Second-degree vehicular homicide
First-degree vehicular homicide 4 to 12 years in prison
Second-degree murder 16 to 48 years in prison
First-degree murder

See also

References
  1. "National Center for Health Statistics: Homicide Mortality by State". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. February 16, 2021. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  2. McCarthy, K.E. Felony Murder. Connecticut General Assembly Office of Legislative Research. 13 February 2008.
  3. Weissman, Mike; Lee, Pete, Changes To Felony Murder, retrieved October 18, 2021


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