Larimer County Obstruction of a Peace Officer Lawyer
Obstructing is an Easily Charged Crime

Obstruction of a Peace Officer is an easily charged crime in Larimer County. Read more about this criminal charge here.

Obstruction of a Peace Officer is charged in Fort Collins and Larimer County when a person tries to stop police officers or other emergency personnel from doing their job. The definition of this crime is vague and leaves much to interpretation. And guess who is doing this interpretation? The police. Anytime they feel that something you have done is keeping them from doing their job, they will arrest you and charge you with this crime.

Obstruction of a Peace Officer in Fort Collins: Definition of Obstructing a Police Officer

The Larimer County, Colorado law definition of Obstructing a Peace Officer, Firefighter, Emergency Service Provider, Rescue Specialist or Volunteer – C.R.S. 18-8-104 – is:

A person commits obstructing a peace officer, firefighter, emergency medical service provider, rescue specialist, or volunteer when, by using or threatening to use violence, force, physical interference, or an obstacle, such person knowingly obstructs, impairs, or hinders the enforcement of the penal law or the preservation of the peace by a peace officer, acting under color of his or her official authority; knowingly obstructs, impairs, or hinders the prevention, control, or abatement of fire by a firefighter, acting under color of his or her official authority; knowingly obstructs, impairs, or hinders the administration of medical treatment or emergency assistance by an emergency medical service provider or rescue specialist, acting under color of his or her official authority; or knowingly obstructs, impairs, or hinders the administration of emergency care or emergency assistance by a volunteer, acting in good faith to render such care or assistance without compensation at the place of an emergency or accident.

So, the vital components of this crime are:

  1. Using or threatening the use of:
    1. Violence;
    2. Force;
    3. Physical Interference; or
    4. Obstacle.
  2. Using one of the elements above against law enforcement to:
    1. Obstruct;
    2. Hinder; or
    3. Impair.

Again, these terms are very broad. Let’s say you are filming a police officer that you think is being unreasonable. The officer approaches you and tells you to put the phone down. You don’t, and he gets closer. You hold the phone up to record and protect yourself. He can claim that you used an obstacle (the phone) to try and hinder him from doing his job. It’s sometimes as simple and ridiculous as that.

Sentence for Obstruction of a Peace Officer in Loveland and Estes Park

Obstructing a Peace Officer is a class 2 misdemeanor. This level crime is punishable by 3 months to 364 days in the Larimer County Jail and up to $1,000 in fines.


If you or someone you love has been arrested for or charged with Obstructing a Peace Officer, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the best criminal defense attorneys from the O’Malley Law Office at 970-658-0007 to schedule your free consultation. Together, we can protect your future.

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