C.R.S. Section 18-1-707
Use of force by peace officers

  • definitions

(1)

Peace officers, in carrying out their duties, shall apply nonviolent means, when possible, before resorting to the use of physical force. A peace officer may use physical force only if nonviolent means would be ineffective in effecting an arrest, preventing an escape, or preventing an imminent threat of injury to the peace officer or another person.

(1.5)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a)

Pursuant to section 18-8-805 (1) and (2)(a)(I), peace officers shall not use, direct, or unduly influence the use of ketamine upon another person nor compel, direct, or unduly influence an emergency medical service provider to administer ketamine. If a peace officer violates this prohibition, the district attorney may charge the officer with any crime based on the facts of the case.

(b)

As used in this subsection (1.5), unless the context otherwise requires, “unduly influence” means the improper use of power or trust in a way that deprives a person of free will and substitutes another’s objective.

(c)

Notwithstanding subsection (1.5)(a) of this section, a peace officer who is also certified as an emergency medical service provider may administer ketamine pursuant to the restrictions set forth in section 25-3.5-209 and when the decision to administer ketamine is based on the emergency medical service provider’s training and expertise.

(2)

When physical force is used, a peace officer shall:

(a)

Not use deadly physical force to apprehend a person who is suspected of only a minor or nonviolent offense;

(b)

Use only a degree of force consistent with the minimization of injury to others;

(c)

Ensure that assistance and medical aid are rendered to any injured or affected persons as soon as practicable; and

(d)

Ensure that any identified relatives or next of kin of persons who have sustained serious bodily injury or death are notified as soon as practicable.

(2.5)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a)

A peace officer is prohibited from using a chokehold upon another person.

(b)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(I)

As used in this subsection (2.5), “chokehold” means a method by which a person applies sufficient pressure to a person to make breathing difficult or impossible and includes but is not limited to any pressure to the neck, throat, or windpipe that may prevent or hinder breathing or reduce intake of air.

(II)

“Chokehold” also means applying pressure to a person’s neck on either side of the windpipe, but not to the windpipe itself, to stop the flow of blood to the brain via the carotid arteries.

(3)

A peace officer is justified in using deadly physical force to make an arrest only when all other means of apprehension are unreasonable given the circumstances and:

(a)

The arrest is for a felony involving conduct including the use or threatened use of deadly physical force;

(b)

The suspect poses an immediate threat of death or serious bodily injury to the peace officer or another person;

(c)

The force employed does not create a substantial risk of injury to other persons.

(4)

A peace officer shall identify himself or herself as a peace officer and give a clear verbal warning of his or her intent to use firearms or other deadly physical force, with sufficient time for the warning to be observed, unless to do so would unduly place peace officers at risk of injury or would create a risk of death or injury to other persons.

(4.5)

Notwithstanding any other provision in this section, a peace officer is justified in using deadly force if the peace officer has an objectively reasonable belief that a lesser degree of force is inadequate and the peace officer has objectively reasonable grounds to believe, and does believe, that he or another person is in imminent danger of being killed or of receiving serious bodily injury.

(5)

Except as provided in subsection (6) of this section, a person who has been directed by a peace officer to assist him to effect an arrest or to prevent an escape from custody is justified in using reasonable and appropriate physical force when and to the extent that he reasonably believes that force to be necessary to carry out the peace officer’s direction, unless he knows that the arrest or prospective arrest is not authorized.

(6)

A person who has been directed to assist a peace officer under circumstances specified in subsection (5) of this section may use deadly physical force to effect an arrest or to prevent an escape only when:

(a)

He reasonably believes that force to be necessary to defend himself or a third person from what he reasonably believes to be the use or imminent use of deadly physical force; or

(b)

He is directed or authorized by the peace officer to use deadly physical force and does not know, if that happens to be the case, that the peace officer himself is not authorized to use deadly physical force under the circumstances.

(7)

A private person acting on his own account is justified in using reasonable and appropriate physical force upon another person when and to the extent that he reasonably believes it necessary to effect an arrest, or to prevent the escape from custody of an arrested person who has committed an offense in his presence; but he is justified in using deadly physical force for the purpose only when he reasonably believes it necessary to defend himself or a third person from what he reasonably believes to be the use or imminent use of deadly physical force.

(8)

A guard or peace officer employed in a detention facility is justified:

(a)

In using deadly physical force when he reasonably believes it necessary to prevent the escape of a prisoner convicted of, charged with, or held for a felony or confined under the maximum security rules of any detention facility as such facility is defined in subsection (9) of this section;

(b)

In using reasonable and appropriate physical force, but not deadly physical force, in all other circumstances when and to the extent that he reasonably believes it necessary to prevent what he reasonably believes to be the escape of a prisoner from a detention facility.

(9)

“Detention facility” as used in subsection (8) of this section means any place maintained for the confinement, pursuant to law, of persons charged with or convicted of an offense, held pursuant to the “Colorado Children’s Code”, held for extradition, or otherwise confined pursuant to an order of a court.

(10)

Repealed.

Source: Section 18-1-707 — Use of force by peace officers - definitions, https://leg.­colorado.­gov/sites/default/files/images/olls/crs2023-title-18.­pdf (accessed Oct. 20, 2023).

18‑1‑101
Citation of title 18
18‑1‑102
Purpose of code, statutory construction
18‑1‑102.5
Purposes of code with respect to sentencing
18‑1‑103
Scope and application of code
18‑1‑104
“Offense” defined - offenses classified - common-law crimes abolished
18‑1‑201
State jurisdiction
18‑1‑202
Place of trial - applicability
18‑1‑301
Second trial barred by former prosecution for same offense
18‑1‑302
Second trial barred by former prosecution for different offense
18‑1‑303
Second trial barred by prosecution in another jurisdiction
18‑1‑304
Former prosecution not a bar
18‑1‑401
Purpose
18‑1‑402
Presumption of innocence
18‑1‑403
Legal assistance and supporting services
18‑1‑404
Preliminary hearing or waiver - dispositional hearing
18‑1‑405
Speedy trial - definition
18‑1‑406
Right to jury trial
18‑1‑407
Affirmative defense
18‑1‑408
Prosecution of multiple counts for same act
18‑1‑409
Appellate review of sentence for a felony
18‑1‑410
Postconviction remedy
18‑1‑410.5
Relief from improperly entered guilty pleas - legislative declaration
18‑1‑410.6
Relief from improperly entered guilty pleas for certain misdemeanor and municipal offenses - legislative declaration
18‑1‑411
Postconviction testing of DNA - definitions
18‑1‑412
Procedure for application for DNA testing - appointment of counsel
18‑1‑413
Content of application for DNA testing
18‑1‑414
Preservation of evidence
18‑1‑415
Testing - payment
18‑1‑416
Results of the DNA test
18‑1‑417
Ineffective assistance of counsel claims - waiver of confidentiality
18‑1‑501
Definitions
18‑1‑502
Requirements for criminal liability in general and for offenses of strict liability and of mental culpability
18‑1‑503
Construction of statutes with respect to culpability requirements
18‑1‑503.5
Principles of criminal culpability
18‑1‑504
Effect of ignorance or mistake upon culpability
18‑1‑505
Consent
18‑1‑601
Liability based upon behavior
18‑1‑602
Behavior of another
18‑1‑603
Complicity
18‑1‑604
Exemptions from liability based upon behavior of another
18‑1‑605
Liability based on behavior of another - no defense
18‑1‑606
Criminal liability of business entities - definitions
18‑1‑607
Criminal liability of an individual for corporate conduct
18‑1‑701
Execution of public duty
18‑1‑702
Choice of evils
18‑1‑703
Use of physical force - special relationships
18‑1‑704
Use of physical force in defense of a person - definitions
18‑1‑704.5
Use of deadly physical force against an intruder
18‑1‑705
Use of physical force in defense of premises
18‑1‑706
Use of physical force in defense of property
18‑1‑706.5
Justification and exemption from liability when rendering emergency assistance to an at-risk person or animal in a locked vehicle
18‑1‑707
Use of force by peace officers - definitions
18‑1‑708
Duress
18‑1‑709
Entrapment
18‑1‑710
Affirmative defense
18‑1‑711
Immunity for persons who suffer or report an emergency drug or alcohol overdose event - definitions - repeal
18‑1‑712
Immunity for a person who administers an opiate antagonist during an opiate-related drug overdose event - definitions
18‑1‑712.5
Immunity for sex workers and persons who are victims of human trafficking for sexual servitude and who suffer or report an assault - definition
18‑1‑713
Victims of human trafficking of a minor for involuntary servitude or sexual servitude - affirmative defenses
18‑1‑714
Protective hearing - victim’s, defendant’s, or witness’s gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation - definitions
18‑1‑801
Insufficient age
18‑1‑802
Insanity
18‑1‑803
Impaired mental condition
18‑1‑804
Intoxication
18‑1‑805
Responsibility - affirmative defense
18‑1‑901
Definitions
18‑1‑1001
Protection order against defendant - definitions
18‑1‑1001.5
Protection order against defendant - transfer of wireless telephone service in domestic violence cases - definitions
18‑1‑1002
Criminal contempt proceedings - notice to district attorney
18‑1‑1101
Definitions
18‑1‑1102
Scope
18‑1‑1103
Duty to preserve DNA evidence
18‑1‑1104
Manner and location of preservation of DNA evidence
18‑1‑1105
Law enforcement agency request for permission to dispose of evidence - procedures
18‑1‑1106
Defendant request for disposition of or waiver of preservation of DNA evidence - procedures
18‑1‑1107
Victim request for disposition of DNA evidence - procedures
18‑1‑1108
Notice - form and sufficiency
Green check means up to date. Up to date

Current through Fall 2024

§ 18-1-707’s source at colorado​.gov