SB 17-094

Senate Bill 17-094, which has been signed into law in Colorado, changes the classification of felony murder from a class 1 felony to a class 2 felony. This means that if someone dies during the commission of certain serious crimes, the person responsible will face slightly less severe penalties than before but still very harsh consequences under what's called "crime of violence" sentencing rules. The bill also adjusts the legal defenses available to those charged with felony murder. This change affects anyone who could be accused of a crime that leads to someone’s death and alters how such cases are prosecuted in court.

Official Summary

Under current law, felony murder, a death resulting during the commission of a specifically listed felony, is a class 1 felony. The bill makes felony murder a class 2 felony subject to crime of violence sentencing and modifies the affirmative defense. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)

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