Colorado Drug Possession Law
Colorado Drug Possession Defense
What you're facing under C.R.S. § 18-18-403.5, how the penalties scale, and the questions your attorney needs to answer, specific to Colorado (CO) law.
Offense Class
Level 1 Drug Misdemeanor (4g or less of Schedule I/II); Level 4 Drug Felony (over 4g of Schedule I/II)
Maximum Penalty
180 days (Level 1 Drug Misdemeanor); 1 year (Level 4 Drug Felony)
Maximum Fine
$1,000 (Level 1 DM); $100,000 (Level 4 DF)
Penalty Range in Colorado
Charge Enhancements
These factors can elevate the charge or penalty in Colorado:
- Over 4g of Schedule I/II (Level 4 Drug Felony)
- Prior drug convictions
Colorado-Specific Detail
Colorado significantly reformed drug possession laws in 2019 (HB 19-1263). Possession of 4g or less of Schedule I/II is a Level 1 Drug Misdemeanor. Marijuana regulated separately under Amendment 64.
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Important: This page provides legal INFORMATION about Colorado drug possession law as of the date of publication. Laws change frequently. This is not legal advice. The analysis draws on methods developed by defense attorneys, applied to public data. Your attorney remains the final authority on defense direction.