“Probation” in Colorado Criminal Cases – How it Works

(1)
(a) A person who has been convicted of an offense, other than a class 1 felony or a civil infraction, is eligible to apply to the court for probation.
(b) Repealed.
(2)
(a) The provisions of this subsection (2) shall apply to any person whose application for probation is based on a conviction for a felony, which conviction occurred before May 25, 2010.
(a.5) A person who has been twice or more convicted of a felony under the laws of this state, any other state, or the United States prior to the conviction on which his or her application is based shall not be eligible for probation.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law except the provisions of paragraph (c) of this subsection (2), a person who has been convicted of one or more felonies under the laws of this state, any other state, or the United States within ten years prior to a class 1, 2, or 3 felony conviction on which his or her application is based shall not be eligible for probation.
(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a.5) of this subsection (2) and subsection (4) of this section, an offender convicted of a violation of section 18-18-403.5 may be eligible for probation upon recommendation of the district attorney.
(d) Repealed.
(2.1) Repealed.
(2.5)
(a) The provisions of this subsection (2.5) shall apply to any person whose application for probation is based on a conviction for a felony, which conviction occurred on or after May 25, 2010.
(b) Except as described in subsection (4)(a) of this section, a person who has been twice or more convicted of a felony upon charges separately brought and tried and arising out of separate and distinct criminal episodes under the laws of this state, any other state, or the United States prior to the conviction on which the person’s application is based is not eligible for probation if the current conviction or a prior conviction is for:
(I) First or second degree murder, as described in section 18-3-102 or 18-3-103;
(II) Manslaughter, as described in section 18-3-104;
(III) First or second degree assault, as described in section 18-3-202 or 18-3-203;
(IV) First or second degree kidnapping, as described in section 18-3-301 or 18-3-302;
(V) A sexual offense as described in part 4 of article 3 of this title;
(VI) First degree arson, as described in section 18-4-102;
(VII) First or second degree burglary, as described in section 18-4-202 or 18-4-203;
(VIII) Robbery, as described in section 18-4-301;
(IX) Aggravated robbery, as described in section 18-4-302 or aggravated robbery of controlled substances, as described in section 18-4-303 as it existed prior to October 1, 2023;
(X) Theft from the person of another, as described in section 18-4-401(5);
(XI) Any felony offense committed against a child, as described in article 3, 6, or 7 of this title; or
(XII) Any criminal attempt or conspiracy to commit any of the offenses specified in this paragraph (b).
(c) Failure to register as a sex offender, as described in section 18-3-412.5, shall not constitute a sexual offense for the purposes of subparagraph (V) of paragraph (b) of this subsection (2.5).
(3) An application for probation shall be in writing upon forms furnished by the court, but, when the defendant has been convicted of a misdemeanor or any petty offense, the court, in its discretion, may waive the written application for probation.
(4)
(a)
(I) The restrictions upon eligibility for probation in subsections (2) and (2.5) of this section may be waived by the sentencing court regarding a particular defendant upon recommendation of the district attorney approved by an order of the sentencing court.
(II) Repealed.
(b) Upon entry of an order pursuant to this subsection (4) regarding a particular defendant, such defendant shall be deemed to be eligible to apply to the court for probation pursuant to this section.
(5) For purposes of paragraph (a.5) of subsection (2) of this section and paragraph (a) of subsection (2.5) of this section, “conviction” means a verdict of guilty or the entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere. “Conviction” does not include a plea to a deferred judgment and sentence pursuant to section 18-1.3-102 until the deferred judgment and sentence is revoked.

(1) The general assembly finds and declares that intensive supervision probation programs are an effective and desirable alternative to sentences to imprisonment, community corrections, or jail. It is the purpose of this section to encourage the judicial department to establish programs for the intensive supervision of selected probationers. It is the intent of the general assembly that such programs be formulated so that they protect the safety and welfare of the public in the community where the programs are operating and throughout the state of Colorado.
(2) The judicial department may establish an intensive supervision probation program in any judicial district or combination of judicial districts in order to provide supervision tailored to the specific characteristics that produce a risk classification requiring intensive services for the offender and to facilitate the offender’s participation in rehabilitative programs intended to address those characteristics. When establishing such programs, the judicial department shall seek the counsel of the chief judge of the district court, the office of the district attorney, the state public defender or his or her designee, the county sheriff, the chief probation officer in the judicial district, the department of corrections, the local community corrections board, and members of the public at-large.
(3) The judicial department shall require that offenders in the program receive the highest level of supervision that is provided to probationers.
(4) When the court sentences any offender to probation, the probation department shall complete an initial assessment of the offender’s risk and needs, using valid assessment tools approved by the state court administrator’s office. Offenders who are determined through assessment to be high risk and who meet the acceptance criteria may be placed in an intensive supervision probation program by probation. Furthermore, intensive supervision probation may be used for an offender who has been under the supervision of probation for a period of time and a reassessment indicates the offender’s risk of reoffense has increased to high and the offender meets the acceptance criteria of the intensive program. For purposes of this section, “offender” shall have the same meaning as that set forth in section 17-27-102(6), C.R.S.
(5) The judicial department shall have the power to establish and enforce standards and criteria for the administration of intensive supervision probation programs.
(6)
(a) It is the intent of the general assembly in enacting this subsection (6) to recognize that high-risk offenders can be managed in the community with the appropriate supervision and the use of evidence-based treatment programs and practices.
(b) The judicial department is directed to create and implement intensive supervision probation programs based on the current evidence for reducing recidivism by October 1, 2013. Intensive supervision probation programs must require the use of validated assessments to determine the offender’s risk of reoffending. The judicial department shall develop acceptance criteria for placement in all intensive supervision probation programs. The judicial department shall develop criteria for offenders to transition from intensive supervision probation programs to regular probation, based on assessment of risk and need and program compliance. An offender may not be placed in or transferred out of an intensive supervision probation program without meeting established criteria.

(1)
(a) When it appears to the satisfaction of the court that the ends of justice and the best interest of the public, as well as the defendant, will be served thereby, the court may grant the defendant probation for such period and upon such terms and conditions as it deems best. The length of probation shall be subject to the discretion of the court and may exceed the maximum period of incarceration authorized for the classification of the offense of which the defendant is convicted but shall not exceed five years for any misdemeanor or petty offense. If the court chooses to grant the defendant probation, the order placing the defendant on probation shall take effect upon entry and, if any appeal is brought, shall remain in effect pending review by an appellate court unless the court grants a stay of probation pursuant to section 16-4-201. Unless an appeal is filed that raises a claim that probation was granted contrary to the provisions of this title, the trial court shall retain jurisdiction of the case for the purpose of adjudicating complaints filed against the defendant that allege a violation of the terms and conditions of probation. In addition to imposing other conditions, the court has the power to commit the defendant to any jail operated by the county or city and county in which the offense was committed during such time or for such intervals within the period of probation as the court determines. Except as described in subsection (1)(b) of this section, the aggregate length of any such commitment whether continuous or at designated intervals may not exceed ninety days for a felony, sixty days for a misdemeanor, or ten days for a petty offense unless it is a part of a work release program pursuant to section 18-1.3-207. That the defendant submit to commitment imposed under this section is deemed a condition of probation.
(b) For a defendant who is convicted of a felony offense described in section 42-4-1301(1)(a), (1)(b), or (2)(a), the aggregate length of any commitment to a county jail is determined as provided in section 42-4-1307 (6.5)(b).
(2) The probation department in each judicial district may enter into agreements with any state agency or other public agency, any corporation, and any private agency or person to provide supervision or other services for defendants placed on probation by the court. The agreements shall not include management of any intensive supervision probation programs created pursuant to section 18-1.3-208.

(1)(a) The conditions of probation shall be such as the court in its discretion deems reasonably necessary to ensure that the defendant will lead a law-abiding life and to assist the defendant in doing so. The court shall provide as explicit conditions of every sentence to probation that the defendant not commit another offense during the period for which the sentence remains subject to revocation, that the defendant make restitution pursuant to part 6 of this article and article 18.5 of title 16, C.R.S., that the defendant comply with any court orders regarding substance abuse testing and treatment issued pursuant to sections 18-1.3-209 and 18-1.3-211 and article 11.5 of title 16, C.R.S., and that the defendant comply with any court orders regarding the treatment of sex offenders issued pursuant to article 11.7 of title 16, C.R.S. The court shall provide as an explicit condition of every sentence to probation that the defendant not harass, molest, intimidate, retaliate against, or tamper with the victim of or any prosecution witnesses to the crime, unless the court makes written findings that such condition is not necessary.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (1)(a) of this section, unless the defendant is sentenced to probation for a conviction of a crime under article 10 of title 44, the possession or use of medical marijuana, as authorized pursuant to section 14 of article XVIII of the state constitution, shall not be considered another offense such that its use constitutes a violation of the terms of probation.
(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (1)(a) of this section, the possession or use of natural medicine or natural medicine product, as authorized pursuant to section 18-18-434, article 170 of title 12, or article 50 of title 44, must not be considered another offense such that its use constitutes a violation of the terms of probation.
(1.5) If the defendant is being sentenced to probation as a result of a conviction of a felony offense or a qualifying misdemeanor offense pursuant to the “Interstate Compact for Adult Offender Supervision”, part 28 of article 60 of title 24, C.R.S., a condition of probation shall be that the court shall require the defendant to execute or subscribe a written prior waiver of extradition stating that the defendant consents to extradition to this state and waives all formal proceedings in the event that he or she is arrested in another state while at liberty on such bail bond and acknowledging that he or she shall not be admitted to bail in any other state pending extradition to this state. If the offender is returned to the state pursuant to the “Interstate Compact for Adult Offender Supervision”, part 28 of article 60 of title 24, C.R.S., a court may not impose the cost of the offender’s return on the offender.
(2)
(a) When granting probation, the court may, as a probation condition, require that the defendant:
(I) Work faithfully at a suitable employment or faithfully pursue a course of study or of vocational training that will equip the defendant for suitable employment;
(II) Undergo available medical or psychiatric treatment and remain in a specified institution if required for that purpose. In any case where inpatient psychiatric treatment is indicated, the court shall proceed in accordance with article 65 of title 27 and require the defendant to comply with the recommendation of the professional person in charge of the evaluation required pursuant to section 27-65-106.
(III) Attend or reside in a facility established for the instruction, recreation, or residence of persons on probation;
(III.5) Participate in restorative justice practices, as defined in section 18-1-901 (3) (o.5), if available in the jurisdiction, and the defendant is determined suitable by a designated restorative justice practices facilitator. If a defendant wants to participate in restorative justice practices, the defendant must make the request to the district attorney or the law enforcement agency administering the program and may not make the request to the victim. If requested by the defendant, district attorney, or law enforcement agency, a victim-offender conference may only be conducted after the victim is consulted by the district attorney and offered the opportunity to participate or submit a victim impact statement. If a victim elects not to attend, a victim offender conference may be held with a suitable victim surrogate or victim advocate, and the victim may submit a victim-impact statement. To be eligible for restorative justice practices, the defendant shall not have been convicted of unlawful sexual behavior as defined in section 16-22-102 (9), C.R.S., a crime in which the underlying factual basis involves domestic violence, as defined in section 18-6-800.3 (1), stalking as defined in section 18-3-602, or violation of a protection order as defined in section 18-6-803.5. Any statements made during a restorative justice conference shall be confidential and shall not be used as a basis for charging or prosecuting the defendant unless the defendant commits a chargeable offense during the conference. Failure to complete the requirements arising from a restorative justice conference may be considered a violation of probation. Nothing in this subparagraph (III.5) shall be construed to require a victim to participate in restorative justice practices or a restorative justice victim-offender conference.
(IV) Support the defendant’s dependents and meet other family responsibilities, including arranging and fulfilling a payment plan for current child support, child support arrearages, and child support debt due under a court or administrative order through any delegate child support enforcement unit that may have a child support case with the defendant;
(V) Pay reasonable costs of the court proceedings or costs of supervision of probation, or both. The court shall not require a defendant to pay probation supervision fees in more than one case when the defendant is granted probation in multiple cases. The probation supervision fee is fifty dollars per month for the length of ordered probation. Notwithstanding the amount specified in this subsection (2)(a)(V), the court may lower or waive court costs and the costs of supervision of probation for an indigent defendant. The court shall fix the manner of performance for payment of the fee. If the defendant receives probation services from a private provider, the court shall order the defendant to pay the probation supervision fee directly to the provider. The fee shall be imposed for the length of ordered probation.
(VI) Pay any fines or fees imposed by the court;
(VI.5) Repay all or part of any reward paid by a crime stopper organization that led to the defendant’s arrest and conviction in accordance with article 15.7 of title 16, C.R.S.;
(VII) Refrain from possessing a firearm, destructive device, or other dangerous weapon unless granted written permission by the court or probation officer;
(VIII) Refrain from excessive use of alcohol or any unlawful use of controlled substances, as defined in section 18-18-102 (5), or of any other dangerous or abusable drug without a prescription; except that the court shall not, as a condition of probation, prohibit the possession or use of natural medicine or natural medicine product, as authorized pursuant to section 18-18-434, article 170 of title 12, or article 50 of title 44. Furthermore, the court shall not, as a condition of probation, prohibit the possession or use of medical marijuana, as authorized pursuant to section 14 of article XVIII of the state constitution, unless:
(A) The defendant is sentenced to probation for conviction of a crime under article 10 of title 44; or
(B) The court determines, based on any material evidence, that a prohibition against the possession or use of medical marijuana is necessary and appropriate to accomplish the goals of sentencing as stated in section 18-1-102.5;
(IX) Meet with a probation officer at reasonable times as directed by the court or the probation officer. Unless inconsistent with other conditions imposed by the court, the court shall allow a person on probation to meet with a probation officer at reasonable times through a telephone call or audio-visual communication technology. Unless inconsistent with other conditions imposed by the court, in directing that a person on probation meet with a probation officer at reasonable times, the court or the probation officer shall schedule, in good faith, the meeting with the person on probation at mutually agreeable times that do not conflict with the person’s essential obligations, including work, education, job training, dependent care, medical appointments, and other probation requirements.
(X) Permit the probation officer to visit the defendant at reasonable times at the defendant’s home and elsewhere;
(XI) Remain within the jurisdiction of the court, unless granted permission to leave by the court or the probation officer;
(XII) Answer all reasonable inquiries by the probation officer and promptly notify the probation officer of any change in address or employment;
(XIII) Be subject to home detention as defined in section 18-1.3-106 (1.1);
(XIV) Be restrained from contact with the victim or the victim’s family members in cases in which the defendant was convicted of a crime, the underlying factual basis of which included an act of domestic violence, as defined in section 18-6-800.3 (1);
(XIV.5) Be subject to electronic or global position monitoring;
(XV) Satisfy any other conditions reasonably related to the defendant’s rehabilitation and the purposes of probation.
(b) When granting probation, in addition to the consideration of the provisions set forth in paragraph (a) of this subsection (2), the court shall order as a condition of probation in cases in which the defendant was convicted of a crime, the underlying factual basis of which included an act of domestic violence, as defined in section 18-6-800.3 (1), that the defendant:
(I) Comply with existing court orders regarding family support;
(II) Comply with any existing court orders concerning a proceeding to determine paternity, custody, the allocation of decision-making responsibility, parenting time, or support;
(III) Comply with the terms of any protection order in effect against the defendant during the probation period;
(IV) Refrain from possessing a firearm, destructive device, or other dangerous weapon, unless granted written permission by the court or probation officer which shall not be granted in such domestic violence cases unless:
(A) It is required by the defendant’s employment; and
(B) The court finds that the defendant’s possession of the weapon does not endanger the victim or the victim’s children; and
(C) The weapon is stored away from the home and the yard surrounding the home.
(c) If the court orders counseling or treatment as a condition of probation, unless the court makes a specific finding that treatment in another facility or with another person is warranted, the court shall order that the treatment or counseling be at a facility or with a person:
(I) Approved by the behavioral health administration in the department of human services if the treatment is for alcohol or drug abuse;
(II) Certified or approved by the sex offender management board, established in section 16-11.7-103, C.R.S., if the offender is a sex offender;
(III) Certified or approved by the domestic violence offender management board created in section 16-11.8-103, C.R.S., if the offender was convicted of or the underlying factual basis of the offense included an act of domestic violence as defined in section 18-6-800.3; or
(IV) Licensed or certified by the division of adult parole in the department of corrections, the department of regulatory agencies, the behavioral health administration in the department of human services, the state board of nursing, or the Colorado medical board, whichever is appropriate for the required treatment or counseling.
(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (c) of this subsection (2), if the court orders counseling or treatment as a condition of probation for an offender convicted of an offense involving unlawful sexual behavior, as defined in section 16-22-102 (9), C.R.S., the court shall order such treatment or counseling be at a facility or with a person listed in paragraph (c) of this subsection (2), and the court may not make a specific finding that treatment in another facility or with another person is warranted.
(e) If the defendant is convicted of an offense that subjects the defendant to genetic testing pursuant to section 16-11-102.4, C.R.S., the court shall assess to the defendant the cost of collecting and testing a biological substance sample from the defendant as required in section 16-11-102.4, C.R.S.
(2.2) When granting probation, the court may include as a condition of probation a requirement that the defendant participate in drug treatment. If the defendant’s assessed treatment need is for residential treatment, the court may make residential drug treatment a condition of probation and may place the offender in a community corrections program that can provide the appropriate level of treatment subject to the provision of section 18-1.3-301 (4).
(2.3)
(a) When granting probation, the court may, as a condition of probation, require any defendant who is less than eighteen years of age at the time of sentencing to attend school or an educational program or to work toward the attainment of a high school diploma or the successful completion of a high school equivalency examination, as that term is defined in section 22-33-102 (8.5), C.R.S.; except that the court shall not require any such juvenile to attend a school from which he or she has been expelled without the prior approval of that school’s local board of education.
(b) Following specification of the terms and conditions of probation for a defendant who is less than eighteen years of age at the time of sentencing, where the conditions of probation include the requirement that the defendant attend school, the court shall notify the school district in which the defendant will be enrolled of such requirement.
(2.5) The order of priority for any payments required of a defendant pursuant to subparagraph (IV), (V), (VI), or (VI.5) of paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of this section shall be as follows:
(a) Payment of a current child support order;
(b) Payment of child support arrearage;
(c) Payment of child support debt order;
(d) Payment of spousal maintenance;
(e) Payment of costs for the crime victim compensation fund, pursuant to section 24-4.1-119, C.R.S.;
(f) Payment of surcharges for the victims and witnesses assistance and law enforcement fund, pursuant to section 24-4.2-104, C.R.S.;
(g) Payment of restitution;
(h) Payment of a time payment fee;
(i) Payment of late fees;
(i.2) Payment of probation supervision fees;
(i.4) Payment of a drug offender surcharge pursuant to article 19 of this title;
(i.6) Payment of a sex offender surcharge pursuant to article 21 of this title;
(i.7) Payment of a surcharge for a crime against an at-risk person pursuant to section 18-6.5-107;
(i.8) Payment of collection and chemical testing of a biological substance to determine the genetic markers thereof;
(i.9) Payment of a surcharge related to the address confidentiality program pursuant to section 24-30-2114, C.R.S.;
(j) Payment of any other fines, fees, or surcharges; and
(k) Repayment of all or part of any reward paid by a crime stopper organization that led to the defendant’s arrest and conviction.
(3) When a defendant is granted probation, he or she shall be given a written statement explicitly setting forth the conditions on which he or she is being released.
(4)
(a) For good cause shown and after notice to the defendant, the district attorney, and the probation officer, and after a hearing if the defendant or the district attorney requests it, the judge may reduce or increase the term of probation or alter the conditions or impose new conditions.
(b)
(I) If an offender applies to transfer his or her probation to another state, the offender shall pay a filing fee of one hundred dollars, unless the offender is indigent.
(II)
(A) The clerk of the court shall transmit all moneys collected pursuant to this paragraph (b) to the state treasurer, who shall credit the same to the interstate compact probation transfer cash fund, which fund is hereby created and referred to in this paragraph (b) as the “fund”. Beginning January 1, 2013, the moneys in the fund are subject to annual appropriation by the general assembly to the judicial department for the direct and indirect costs associated with returning probationers to Colorado. The state treasurer may invest any moneys in the fund not expended for the purpose of this paragraph (b) as provided by law. The state treasurer shall credit all interest and income derived from the investment and deposit of moneys in the fund to the fund. Any unexpended and unencumbered moneys remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year remain in the fund and shall not be credited or transferred to the general fund or another fund.
(B) On or after January 1, 2013, a law enforcement agency may submit to the state court administrator a request to be reimbursed for the costs of returning a probationer pursuant to the “Interstate Compact for Adult Offender Supervision”, part 28 of article 60 of title 24, C.R.S., incurred on or after January 1, 2013. The state court administrator shall, to the extent that funds are available, reimburse reasonable costs incurred by a law enforcement agency for the return of the probationer.