C.R.S. Section 18-1.3-801
Punishment for habitual criminals

(1)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a)

A person shall be adjudged an habitual criminal and shall be punished by a term in the department of corrections of life imprisonment if the person:

(I)

Is convicted of:

(A)

Any class 1 or 2 felony or level 1 drug felony; or

(B)

Any class 3 felony that is a crime of violence, as defined in section 18-1.3-406 (2); and

(II)

Has been twice convicted previously for any of the offenses described in subparagraph (I) of this paragraph (a).

(b)

A felony described in subparagraph (I) of paragraph (a) of this subsection (1) is:

(I)

One based upon charges separately brought and tried, and arising out of separate and distinct criminal episodes, in this or any other state; or

(II)

A crime under the laws of any other state, the United States, or any territory subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, which, if committed within this state, would be such a felony described in paragraph (a) of this subsection (1).

(c)

No person sentenced pursuant to this subsection (1) shall be eligible for parole until such person has served at least forty calendar years.

(d)

Nothing in this subsection (1) prohibits the governor from issuing a pardon or a clemency order on a case-by-case basis; however, the governor shall submit a report to the general assembly on each such pardon or clemency order in accordance with section 7 of article IV of the state constitution.

(e)

Nothing in this subsection (1) is to be construed to prohibit a person convicted of a class 1 felony from being sentenced pursuant to section 18-1.3-1201 for an offense charged prior to July 1, 2020, or pursuant to section 18-1.3-1302 for an offense charged prior to July 1, 2020, or pursuant to section 18-1.4-102.

(f)

This subsection (1) shall not apply to a person convicted of first or second degree burglary, which person shall be subject to subsections (1.5), (2), and (2.5) of this section and section 18-1.3-804.

(1.5)

Except as otherwise provided in subsection (5) of this section, every person convicted in this state of any class 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 felony or level 1, 2, or 3 drug felony who, within ten years of the date of the commission of the said offense, has been twice previously convicted upon charges separately brought and tried, and arising out of separate and distinct criminal episodes, either in this state or elsewhere, of a felony or, under the laws of any other state, the United States, or any territory subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, of a crime which, if committed within this state, would be a felony shall be adjudged an habitual criminal and shall be punished:

(a)

For the felony offense of which such person is convicted by imprisonment in the department of corrections for a term of three times the maximum of the presumptive range pursuant to section 18-1.3-401 for the class or level of felony of which such person is convicted; or

(b)

For the level 1 drug felony offense of which such person is convicted by imprisonment in the department of corrections for a term of forty-eight years.
(2)(a)(I) Except as otherwise provided in subsections (2)(b), (2)(c), and (5) of this section, every person convicted in this state of any felony, who has been three times previously convicted, upon charges separately brought and tried, and arising out of separate and distinct criminal episodes, either in this state or elsewhere, of a felony or, under the laws of any other state, the United States, or any territory subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, of a crime which, if committed within this state, would be a felony, shall be adjudged an habitual criminal and shall be punished:

(A)

For the felony offense of which such person is convicted by imprisonment in the department of corrections for a term of four times the maximum of the presumptive range pursuant to section 18-1.3-401 for the class or level of felony of which such person is convicted; or

(B)

For the level 1 drug felony offense of which such person is convicted by imprisonment in the department of corrections for a term of sixty-four years.

(II)

Such former conviction or convictions and judgment or judgments shall be set forth in apt words in the indictment or information. Nothing in this part 8 shall abrogate or affect the punishment by death in any and all crimes punishable by death on or after July 1, 1972.

(b)

The provisions of subsection (2)(a) of this section do not apply to a conviction for a level 4 drug felony committed on or after March 1, 2020, pursuant to section 18-18-403.5 (2), or a conviction for a level 4 drug felony committed on or after March 1, 2020, for attempt or conspiracy to commit unlawful possession of a controlled substance, as described in section 18-18-403.5 (2), if the amount of the controlled substance possessed is not more than four grams of any material, compound, mixture, or preparation containing any quantity of gamma hydroxybutyrate, including its salts, isomers, and salts of isomers, or not more than two grams of cathinones or ketamine, or not more than four milligrams of flunitrazepam, even if the person has been previously convicted of three or more qualifying felony convictions.

(c)

The provisions of subsection (2)(a) of this section do not apply to a conviction for a level 4 drug felony committed on or after July 1, 2022, pursuant to section 18-18-403.5 (2.5), or a conviction for a level 4 drug felony committed on or after July 1, 2022, for attempt or conspiracy to commit unlawful possession of fentanyl, carfentanil, benzimidazole opiate, or an analog thereof, as described in section 18-18-403.5 (2.5), even if the person has been previously convicted of three or more qualifying felony convictions.

(2.5)

Any person who is convicted and sentenced pursuant to subsection (2) of this section, or section 16-13-101 (2), C.R.S., as it existed prior to October 1, 2002, who is thereafter convicted of a felony which is a crime of violence pursuant to section 18-1.3-406, shall be adjudged an habitual criminal and shall be punished by a term in the department of corrections of life imprisonment. No person sentenced pursuant to this subsection (2.5) shall be eligible for parole until such person has served at least forty calendar years.

(3)

No drug law conviction shall be counted as a prior felony conviction under this section unless such prior offense would be a felony if committed in this state at the time of the commission of the new offense.

(4)

A person who meets the criteria set forth in subsection (1) of this section shall be adjudged an habitual criminal and sentenced only in accordance with that subsection and not pursuant to subsections (1.5), (2), and (2.5) of this section.

(5)

A prior conviction for escape, as described in section 18-8-208 (1), (2), or (3), or attempt to escape, as described in section 18-8-208.1 in effect prior to March 6, 2020, with an underlying factual basis that satisfies the elements of unauthorized absence, as described in section 18-8-208.2, or attempt thereof, may not be used for the purpose of adjudicating a person an habitual criminal, as described in subsection (1.5) or subsection (2) of this section, unless the conviction is based on the offender’s escape or attempt to escape from a correctional facility, as defined in section 17-1-102, or from physical custody within a county jail; except that, for the purposes of this section, “correctional facility” does not include a community corrections facility, as defined in section 17-27-102 (2.5), or a halfway house, as defined in section 19-2.5-102.

(6)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a)

For offenses committed on or after July 1, 2023, a defendant convicted and sentenced as an habitual offender pursuant to this section who has been sentenced to twenty-four years or more in the department of corrections and has served at least ten calendar years of a sentence for a felony offense for which the person was sentenced as an habitual criminal may petition the court for a modification of that sentence or for counsel to assist in filing the petition and any other habitual sentence for which the defendant is imprisoned in the department of corrections. The court shall appoint counsel for the defendant from the office of state public defender and shall serve an order of appointment on the office, which shall represent the defendant or notify the court of a conflict. The court shall allow counsel to supplement the petition.

(b)

The court shall set the matter for evidentiary hearing. At the hearing, the defendant has the burden of demonstrating, by a preponderance of the evidence, that:

(I)

The statutory eligibility criteria are met;

(II)

There are mitigating factors regarding the defendant’s circumstances at the time of conviction or substantial mitigating factors regarding the circumstances of the offense or offenses;

(III)

The defendant has demonstrated positive, engaged, and productive behavior in the department of corrections; and

(IV)

The defendant does not currently present a risk to the community at large.

(c)

If the defendant satisfies the burden described in subsection (6)(b) of this section and the court determines, based on the totality of the circumstances, that a modification of sentence is justified, the court may resentence the defendant to a term of at least the midpoint in the aggravated range for the class of felony for which the defendant was convicted, up to a term less than the current sentence.

Source: Section 18-1.3-801 — Punishment for habitual criminals, https://leg.­colorado.­gov/sites/default/files/images/olls/crs2023-title-18.­pdf (accessed Oct. 20, 2023).

18‑1.3‑101
Pretrial diversion - appropriation - repeal 18‑1.3‑102
Deferred sentencing of defendant 18‑1.3‑103.4
Senate Bill 13-250 - legislative intent - clarification of internal reference to level 4 drug felonies 18‑1.3‑103.5
Felony convictions - vacate and enter conviction on misdemeanor after successful completion 18‑1.3‑103.7
Alternative options for pregnant and postpartum people - legislative declaration - definitions 18‑1.3‑104
Alternatives in imposition of sentence 18‑1.3‑104.5
Alternatives in imposition of sentence in drug felony cases - exhaustion of remedies 18‑1.3‑105
Authority of sentencing courts to utilize home detention programs 18‑1.3‑106
County jail sentencing alternatives - work, educational, and medical release - home detention - day reporting - definition 18‑1.3‑107
Conviction - collateral relief - applicability - definitions 18‑1.3‑201
Application for probation 18‑1.3‑202
Probationary power of court 18‑1.3‑202.5
Veterans court probation supervision 18‑1.3‑203
Criteria for granting probation 18‑1.3‑204
Conditions of probation - interstate compact probation transfer cash fund - creation 18‑1.3‑205
Restitution as a condition of probation 18‑1.3‑206
Repayment of crime stopper reward as a condition of probation 18‑1.3‑207
Work and education release programs 18‑1.3‑208
Intensive supervision probation programs - legislative declaration 18‑1.3‑209
Substance abuse assessment required 18‑1.3‑210
Counseling or treatment for alcohol or drug abuse or substance use disorder 18‑1.3‑211
Sentencing of felons - parole of felons - treatment and testing based upon assessment required 18‑1.3‑212
Drug testing of offenders by judicial department - pilot program 18‑1.3‑301
Authority to place offenders in community corrections programs 18‑1.3‑302
Legislative declaration - offenders who may be sentenced to the specialized restitution and community service program 18‑1.3‑401
Felonies classified - presumptive penalties 18‑1.3‑401.5
Drug felonies classified - presumptive and aggravated penalties - legislative intent 18‑1.3‑402
Felony offenses not classified 18‑1.3‑403
Penalty for felony not fixed by statute - punishment 18‑1.3‑404
Duration of sentences for felonies 18‑1.3‑405
Credit for presentence confinement 18‑1.3‑406
Mandatory sentences for violent crimes - definitions 18‑1.3‑407
Sentences - youthful offenders - powers and duties of district court - authorization for youthful offender system - powers and duties of department of corrections - youthful offender system study - report - legislative declaration - definitions 18‑1.3‑407.5
Sentences - young adult offenders - youthful offender system - definitions 18‑1.3‑408
Determinate sentence of imprisonment imposed by court 18‑1.3‑409
Concurrent or consecutive sentences - court to clarify sentencing in mittimus 18‑1.3‑410
Fentanyl education and treatment program 18‑1.3‑501
Misdemeanors classified - drug misdemeanors and drug petty offenses classified - penalties - legislative intent - definitions 18‑1.3‑502
Duration of sentences for misdemeanors 18‑1.3‑503
Petty offense and civil infraction classified - penalties 18‑1.3‑504
Misdemeanors and petty offenses not classified 18‑1.3‑505
Penalty for misdemeanor not fixed by statute - punishment 18‑1.3‑506
Payment and collection of fines for class 1 or 2 misdemeanors, petty offenses, and civil infractions - release from incarceration 18‑1.3‑507
Community or useful public service - misdemeanors 18‑1.3‑507.5
Useful public service cash fund created 18‑1.3‑508
Definite sentence not void 18‑1.3‑509
Credit for time served on misdemeanor sentences 18‑1.3‑510
Fentanyl education and treatment program 18‑1.3‑601
Legislative declaration 18‑1.3‑602
Definitions 18‑1.3‑603
Assessment of restitution - corrective orders 18‑1.3‑701
Judgment of costs and fines - definitions 18‑1.3‑702
Monetary payments - due process required 18‑1.3‑703
Reimbursement of amounts paid following a vacated conviction or amended order for restitution - petition 18‑1.3‑704
Outstanding balances owed by juveniles - report - repeal 18‑1.3‑801
Punishment for habitual criminals 18‑1.3‑802
Evidence of former convictions - identity 18‑1.3‑803
Verdict of jury 18‑1.3‑804
Habitual burglary offenders - punishment - legislative declaration 18‑1.3‑901
Short title 18‑1.3‑902
Applicability of part 18‑1.3‑903
Definitions 18‑1.3‑904
Indeterminate commitment 18‑1.3‑905
Requirements before acceptance of a plea of guilty 18‑1.3‑906
Commencement of proceedings 18‑1.3‑907
Defendant to be advised of rights 18‑1.3‑908
Psychiatric examination and report 18‑1.3‑909
Report of probation department 18‑1.3‑910
Termination of proceedings 18‑1.3‑911
Evidentiary hearing 18‑1.3‑912
Findings of fact and conclusions of law 18‑1.3‑913
Appeal 18‑1.3‑914
Time allowed on sentence 18‑1.3‑915
Costs 18‑1.3‑916
Diagnostic center as receiving center 18‑1.3‑1001
Legislative declaration 18‑1.3‑1002
Short title 18‑1.3‑1003
Definitions 18‑1.3‑1004
Indeterminate sentence 18‑1.3‑1005
Parole - intensive supervision program 18‑1.3‑1006
Release from incarceration - parole - conditions 18‑1.3‑1007
Probation - intensive supervision program 18‑1.3‑1008
Probation - conditions - release 18‑1.3‑1009
Criteria for release from incarceration, reduction in supervision, and discharge 18‑1.3‑1010
Arrest of parolee or probationer - revocation 18‑1.3‑1011
Annual report 18‑1.3‑1012
Applicability of part 18‑1.3‑1101
Definitions 18‑1.3‑1102
Pretrial motion by defendant in class 1 felony case - determination whether defendant is mentally retarded or has an intellectual and developmental disability - procedure 18‑1.3‑1103
Mentally retarded defendant or defendant with an intellectual and developmental disability - death penalty not imposed 18‑1.3‑1104
Evaluation and report 18‑1.3‑1105
Evaluation at insistence of defendant 18‑1.3‑1201
Imposition of sentence in class 1 felonies - appellate review - applicability 18‑1.3‑1202
Death penalty inflicted by lethal injection 18‑1.3‑1203
Genetic testing prior to execution 18‑1.3‑1204
Implements - sentence executed by executive director 18‑1.3‑1205
Week of execution - warrant 18‑1.3‑1206
Execution - witnesses 18‑1.3‑1207
Record and certificate of execution 18‑1.3‑1301
Applicability of procedure for the imposition of sentences in class 1 felony cases 18‑1.3‑1302
Imposition of sentences in class 1 felonies for crimes committed on or after July 1, 1988, and prior to September 20, 1991 - appellate review - applicability 18‑1.3‑1401
Definitions 18‑1.3‑1402
Mental competency to be executed - presumptions 18‑1.3‑1403
Mental incompetency to be executed - filing of motion 18‑1.3‑1404
Mental incompetency to be executed - examination 18‑1.3‑1405
Mentally incompetent to be executed - untimely or successive motions 18‑1.3‑1406
Persons mentally incompetent to be executed - restoration to competency 18‑1.3‑1407
Appeal of determination of mental incompetency to be executed
Green check means up to date. Up to date

Current through Fall 2024

§ 18-1.3-801’s source at colorado​.gov