When a crime is committed in Fort Collins, Loveland, or Estes Park, the Larimer County District Attorney’s office has certain time restrictions to file charges and prosecute the case. These time restrictions are known as the Statute of Limitations or Limitations of Actions. Different time periods apply to different crimes and in fact, certain crimes have no time restrictions at all.
Statute of Limitations for Criminal Offenses in Larimer County
Here is a list of Statute of Limitation periods in Larimer, Boulder, and Grand County along with some of the crimes that fall within each time period as found in C.R.S. 16-5-401:
No Statute of Limitations in Larimer and Boulder County:
- Murder (including Attempt, Conspiracy, or Solicitation to commit Murder)
- Kidnapping (including Attempt, Conspiracy, or Solicitation to commit Kidnapping)
- Treason (including Attempt, Conspiracy, or Solicitation to commit Treason)
- Any sexual offense against a child (including Attempt, Conspiracy, or Solicitation to commit a sex offense against a child)
- Forgery (including Attempt, Conspiracy, or Solicitation to commit Forgery)
Ten Year Statute of Limitations in Larimer and Boulder County:
- Leaving the Scene of an Accident that resulted in the death of a person and Vehicular Homicide (if committed together)
- Sexual Assault
- Sexual Exploitation of a Child
Five Year Statute of Limitations in Loveland and Fort Collins:
- Vehicular Homicide
- Leaving the scene of an accident that resulted in the death of a person
Three Years and 6 Months Statute of Limitations for Fort Collins and Larimer County:
- Unlawful Sexual Contact when the victim is under 15 years old (including Attempt Conspiracy, or Solicitation to commit Unlawful Sexual Contact when the victim is under 15 years old)
Three Year Statute of Limitation for Larimer County and Estes Park:
- Other felonies
18 Month Statute of Limitation in Fort Collins and Loveland, Colorado:
- Misdemeanors
One Year Statute of Limitations in Wellington and Fort Collins:
- Class 1 and 2 misdemeanor traffic offenses
Six Month Statute of Limitations for Larimer County and Loveland, Colorado:
- Petty Offenses
The list above is just a basic overview of the Statute of Limitations in Colorado. There are many other crimes which have a separate Statute of Limitations. There are even different circumstances and exceptions that can change whether a crime has a specific Statute of Limitations of not. If you are wondering about the possible Statute of Limitations in your particular case, please call us for a free consultation.
If you or someone you love is wondering about the Statute of Limitations in a current or potential criminal case, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the best Fort Collins criminal defense attorneys from the O’Malley Law Office at 970-658-0007 today. Together, we can protect your future.
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