As of October 1, 2013, new drug laws went into effect in Colorado. These law changes are under Colorado statute 18-18-403.5, C.R.S. 18-18-404, and C.R.S. 18-1.3-401.5. Put simply, these changes created a new class of crime – Drug Felony Crimes and Drug Misdemeanor Crimes. These changes will mostly affect people who have been charged with the possession, distribution, or manufacture of drugs such as meth (methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, and other Schedule I and II drugs. In this blog we’ll discuss why the changes were put into place, and how they will affect people in Weld, Morgan, and Logan County.
Why Were Drug Laws Changed in Colorado?
Colorado prisons are overflowing. Many of the people overwhelming our prison system are drug users. This is extremely expensive for taxpayers, as it costs $33,000 to house an inmate in DOC for a year. While drug users are harmful to society, they aren’t dangerous enough to justify long prison sentences which cost taxpayers millions of dollars. Put simply – we can’t afford to incarcerate each and every person who has an addiction to meth, cocaine, heroin, or other illegal substances in Greeley, Evans, or Erie. The Colorado Legislature realized we need to focus on treatment instead of imprisonment. What use is it if a heroin addict sits in prison for years, only to go back to old habits upon his release? With the new drug laws in effect in Colorado, lawmakers, judges, the Department of Corrections, probation, parole, and Weld County District Attorneys are able to categorize drug offenders and get them the treatment they need, based on the seriousness of their crime.
New Drug Crimes and How they Work
The new drug crimes are classified differently than they have been in the past. The new sentencing for drug crimes is now listed under C.R.S. 18-1.3-401.5. Here is how they are organized:
| Level | Presumptive range | Period of Parole |
| DF1 | 8-32 years | 3 years |
| DF2 | 4-8 years | 2 years |
| DF3 | 2-4 years | 1 year |
| DF4 | 6 months-1 year | 1 year |
Before the new drug laws went into effect, there were no felony charge classifications specific for drugs. Instead, they were classified with other crimes as felonies ranging from a class 6 felony to a class 2. With these new drug laws, the justice system will be able to keep drug offenders from filling our prisons and focus on getting them the treatment they need.
The new laws focus more on treatment than prison time.
Why You Need an Experienced Drug Crime Attorney
If you have been charged with drug possession or drug distribution in Greeley or Weld County, contact us immediately to begin working on your case. We know treatment providers who will be able to evaluate and treat your addiction to drugs. When combined with our legal experience, we will be able to prove to a busy judge that you are working to overcome your addiction. We know what judges and District Attorneys are looking for, and we’ll help you beat the drug charges against you.
If you have been contacted by the police regarding a drug offense, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact an experienced criminal defense attorney for a free consultation at the O’Malley Law Office at 970-616-6009. Together, we can protect your future.
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