Colorado Laws & Regulations
The information contained on this website is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any matter. The Information constitutes general information of applicable administrative regulation and/or laws related to general topics in the arena of controlled substance misuse and abuse and may not reflect current legal developments and updates. Please refer to your state legislature for any potential changes.
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Code of Colorado Regulations (CCR)
Colorado Revised Statutes (CRS)
Colorado Advertising/Marketing Information
- C.R.S. 12-280-132 – Advertising of prescription drug prices.
- C.R.S. 18-18-406.4 – Unlawful advertising of marijuana – exception.
- C.R.S. 18-18-425 – Drug paraphernalia – legislative declaration.
- C.R.S. 18-18-430 – Advertisement of drug paraphernalia – penalty.
- C.R.S. 25-5-402 – Definitions.
- C.R.S. 25-5-418 – Advertisements.
- C.R.S. 44-10-103 – Definitions – rules.
Colorado Child Safety Information
- C.R.S. 18-6-401 – Child abuse – definition.
- C.R.S. 19-1-103 – Definitions.
- C.R.S. 19-3-304 – Persons required to report child abuse or neglect.
Colorado Compounding Information
- C.R.S. 12-280-103 – Definitions – rules.
- C.R.S. 12-280-120 – Compounding – dispensing – sale of drugs and devices – rules – definition.
- C.R.S. 12-280-121 – Compounding drugs for office use by a veterinarian – rules – definitions.
- C.R.S. 18-18-102 – Definitions.
Colorado Coroner/Medical Examiner Information
- C.R.S. 30-10-601 – Coroner – election – bond – insurance – authority.
- C.R.S. 30-10-601.5 – Qualifications – fingerprints.
- C.R.S. 30-10-606 – Coroner – inquiry – grounds – postmortem – jury – certificate of death.
- C.R.S. 30-10-606.5 – When autopsy performed – jurisdiction – qualifications to perform – definition.
- C.R.S. 30-10-624 – Required toxicology screening for a suicide, overdose death, or accidental death – annual report – working group.
- CDC – Colorado Coroner/Medical Examiner Laws
- HB24-1100 – Coroner Qualifications (Signed by Gov 4/11/2024)
Colorado Drug Checking Information (Test Strips)
- C.R.S. 13-21-108.8 – Persons furnishing a non-laboratory synthetic opiate detection test – limited immunity – definition.
- C.R.S. 18-1-711 – Immunity for persons who suffer or report an emergency drug or alcohol overdose event – definitions – repeal.
- C.R.S. 18-18-403 – Additional definition.
- C.R.S. 18-18-426 – Drug paraphernalia – definitions.
- C.R.S. 18-18-428 – Possession of drug paraphernalia – penalty.
- C.R.S. 18-18-430.5 – Drug paraphernalia – exemption.
- HB24-1037 – Substance Use Disorders Harm Reduction – Concerning reducing the harm caused by substance use disorders. (signed by Gov 6/6/2024)
Colorado Drug Cleanup Information (Methamphetamine & Fentanyl Labs)
- C.R.S. Title 25, Art. 18.5 – Illegal Drug Laboratories
- C.R.S. 25-18.5-101 – Definitions.
- C.R.S. 25-18.5-102 – Illegal drug laboratories – rules.
- C.R.S. 25-18.5-103 – Discovery of illegal drug laboratory – property owner – cleanup – liability.
- C.R.S. 25-18.5-104 – Entry into illegal drug laboratories.
- C.R.S. 25-18.5-105 – Drug laboratories – governing body – authority.
- C.R.S. 25-18.5-106 – Powers and duties of department.
- C.R.S. 25-18.5-107 – Enforcement.
- C.R.S. 25-18.5-108 – Illegal drug laboratory fund.
- C.R.S. 25-18.5-109 – Judicial review.
- C.R.S. 25-18.5-110 – Reporting – rules.
Colorado Drug Court Information
- C.R.S. 18-19-104 – Judicial district drug offender treatment boards – creation.
- C.R.S. 23-21 – Part 8 – Medication-Assisted Treatment (Mat) Expansion Pilot Program (§§ 23-21-801 — 23-21-809)
Colorado Drug Free Workplace Information
- CO State Patrol: Drug-Free Workplace and Workforce (2020)
- What Colorado Employers Need To Know About Marijuana and Workers’ Compensation (2018)
- Workplace Impairment and Reasonable Suspicion (CSEAP)
Colorado Drugged Driving Information
- C.R.S. 42-4-1301 – Driving under the influence – driving while impaired – driving with excessive alcoholic content – definitions – penalties.
- C.R.S. 42-4-1301.1 – Expressed consent for the taking of blood, breath, urine, or saliva sample – testing – fund – rules – repeal.
- C.R.S. 42-4-1301.3 – Alcohol and drug driving safety program – definition.
- C.R.S. 42-4-1305 – Open alcoholic beverage container – motor vehicle – prohibited.
- C.R.S. 42-4-1305.5 – Open marijuana container – motor vehicle – prohibited.
- C.R.S. 42-4-1306 – Colorado task force on drunk and impaired driving – creation – legislative declaration.
- C.R.S. 42-4-1307 – Penalties for traffic offenses involving alcohol and drugs – legislative declaration – definitions – repeal.
- C.R.S. 43-4-901 – High-visibility alcohol and drug impaired driving enforcement.
- C.R.S. 43-4-902 – Local high-visibility alcohol and drug impaired driving enforcement – qualified program – report – rules.
- C.R.S. 43-4-903 – High-visibility alcohol and drug impaired driving enforcement funding.
Colorado Drug Violations Information
- C.R.S. 18-3-102 – Murder in the First Degree
- C.R.S. 18-5-116 – Controlled substances – inducing consumption by fraudulent means.
- C.R.S. 18-18-102 – Definitions.
- C.R.S. 18-18-203 – Schedule I.
- C.R.S. 18-18-204 – Schedule II.
- C.R.S. 18-18-205 – Schedule III.
- C.R.S. 18-18-206 – Schedule IV – repeal.
- C.R.S. 18-18-207 – Schedule V.
- C.R.S. 18-18-308 – Prescriptions.
- C.R.S. 18-18-309 – Diversion prevention and control.
- C.R.S. 18-18-403 – Additional definition.
- C.R.S. 18-18-403.5 – Unlawful possession of a controlled substance – notice to revisor of statutes – repeal.
- C.R.S. 18-18-405 – Unlawful distribution, manufacturing, dispensing, or sale.
- C.R.S. 18-18-406 – Offenses relating to marijuana and marijuana concentrate – definitions.
- C.R.S. 18-18-406.1 – Unlawful use or possession of synthetic cannabinoids or salvia divinorum.
- C.R.S. 18-18-406.2 – Unlawful distribution, manufacturing, dispensing, sale, or cultivation of synthetic cannabinoids or salvia divinorum.
- C.R.S. 18-18-406.3 – Medical use of marijuana by persons diagnosed with debilitating medical conditions – unlawful acts – penalty – medical marijuana program cash fund.
- C.R.S. 18-18-406.4 – Unlawful advertising of marijuana – exception.
- C.R.S. 18-18-406.5 – Unlawful use of marijuana in a detention facility.
- C.R.S. 18-18-406.6 – Extraction of marijuana concentrate – definitions.
- C.R.S. 18-18-406.9 – Unlawful distribution or purchase of dextromethorphan – penalty – preemption – definitions.
- C.R.S. 18-18-407 – Special offender – definitions.
- C.R.S. 18-18-410 – Declaration of class 1 public nuisance.
- C.R.S. 18-18-411 – Keeping, maintaining, controlling, renting, or making available property for unlawful distribution or manufacture of controlled substances.
- C.R.S. 18-18-412 – Abusing toxic vapors – prohibited.
- C.R.S. 18-18-412.5 – Unlawful possession of materials to make methamphetamine and amphetamine – penalty.
- C.R.S. 18-18-412.7 – Sale or distribution of materials to manufacture controlled substances.
- C.R.S. 18-18-412.8 – Retail sale of methamphetamine precursor drugs – unlawful acts – penalty.
- C.R.S. 18-18-413 – Authorized possession of controlled substances.
- C.R.S. 18-18-414 – Unlawful acts – licenses – penalties.
- C.R.S. 18-18-415 – Fraud and deceit.
- C.R.S. 18-18-416 – Controlled substances – inducing consumption by fraudulent means.
- C.R.S. 18-18-420 – Imitation controlled substances – definitions.
- C.R.S. 18-18-421 – Imitation controlled substances – determination – considerations.
- C.R.S. 18-18-422 – Imitation controlled substances – violations – penalties.
- C.R.S. 18-18-423 – Counterfeit substances prohibited – penalty.
- C.R.S. 18-18-424 – Imitation controlled substances – exceptions.
- C.R.S. 18-18-425 – Drug paraphernalia – legislative declaration.
- C.R.S. 18-18-426 – Drug paraphernalia – definitions.
- C.R.S. 18-18-427 – Drug paraphernalia – determination – considerations.
- C.R.S. 18-18-428 – Possession of drug paraphernalia – penalty.
- C.R.S. 18-18-429 – Manufacture, sale, or delivery of drug paraphernalia – penalty.
- C.R.S. 18-18-430 – Advertisement of drug paraphernalia – penalty.
- C.R.S. 18-18-430.5 – Drug paraphernalia – exemption.
Colorado Electronic Prescribing Information
- C.R.S. 12-30-111 – Electronic prescribing of controlled substances – exceptions – rules – definitions.
Colorado First Responder Deflection Program(s) Information
- C.R.S. 18-1.3-101 – Pretrial diversion – appropriation – repeal.
- C.R.S. 18-1.3-102 – Deferred sentencing of defendant.
- C.R.S. 18-1.3-103.5 – Felony convictions – vacate and enter conviction on misdemeanor after successful completion.
- C.R.S. 18-1.3-103.7 – Alternative options for pregnant and postpartum people – legislative declaration – definitions.
- C.R.S. 18-1.3-104 – Alternatives in imposition of sentence.
- C.R.S. 18-1.3-104.5 – Alternatives in imposition of sentence in drug felony cases – exhaustion of remedies.
- C.R.S. 19-2.5-401 – Diversion.
- C.R.S. 19-2.5-402 – Juvenile diversion program – authorized – report – allocation of money – legislative declaration – definitions.
- C.R.S. 20-1-115 – Reporting of children in diversion programs.
Colorado 911 – Good Samaritan Information
- C.R.S. 13-21-108.7 – Persons rendering emergency assistance through the administration of an opiate antagonist – limited immunity – legislative declaration – definitions.
- C.R.S. 18-1-711 – Immunity for persons who suffer or report an emergency drug or alcohol overdose event – definitions – repeal.
- C.R.S. 18-1-712 – Immunity for a person who administers an opiate antagonist during an opiate-related drug overdose event – definitions.
- HB24-1037 – Substance Use Disorders Harm Reduction – Concerning reducing the harm caused by substance use disorders. (signed by Gov 6/6/2024)
Colorado Medical Marijuana, Recreational Marijuana & CBD Information
- C.R.S. 12-30-116 – Protection for administering medical marijuana at school.
- C.R.S. 18-18-406 – Offenses relating to marijuana and marijuana concentrate – definitions.
- C.R.S. 18-18-406.1 – Unlawful use or possession of synthetic cannabinoids or salvia divinorum.
- C.R.S. 18-18-406.2 – Unlawful distribution, manufacturing, dispensing, sale, or cultivation of synthetic cannabinoids or salvia divinorum.
- C.R.S. 18-18-406.3 – Medical use of marijuana by persons diagnosed with debilitating medical conditions – unlawful acts – penalty – medical marijuana program cash fund.
- C.R.S. 18-18-406.4 – Unlawful advertising of marijuana – exception.
- C.R.S. 18-18-406.5 – Unlawful use of marijuana in a detention facility.
- C.R.S. 18-18-406.6 – Extraction of marijuana concentrate – definitions.
- C.R.S. 25-5-427 – Classes of hemp-derived compounds and cannabinoids – definitions – registration required – prohibitions – safe harbor – rules – repeal.
- C.R.S. 44-10-209 – Classes of marijuana-derived cannabinoids and compounds – definitions – privileges – prohibitions – rule-making – rules.
- Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) – Colorado Updates
Colorado Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) Information
- C.R.S. 17-26-104.9 – Opioid treatment for a person in custody – definitions.
- C.R.S. 17-27-104 – Community corrections programs operated by units of local government, state agencies, or nongovernmental agencies.
- C.R.S. 23-21 – Part 8 – Medication-Assisted Treatment (Mat) Expansion Pilot Program (§§ 23-21-801 — 23-21-809)
- C.R.S. 27-80-203 – Definitions.
- C.R.S. 27-80-204 – License required – controlled substances – repeal.
- C.R.S. 27-80-215 – Central registry – registration required – notice – repeal.
- HB24-1045 – Treatment for Substance Use Disorders – Concerning treatment for substance use disorders, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation. (Signed by Gov 6/6/2024)
Colorado Naloxone Information
- C.R.S. 12-30-110 – Prescribing or dispensing opiate antagonists – authorized recipients – definitions.
- C.R.S. 12-280-123 – Prescription required – exception – dispensing opiate antagonists – selling nonprescription syringes and needles.
- C.R.S. 13-21-108.7 – Persons rendering emergency assistance through the administration of an opiate antagonist – limited immunity – legislative declaration – definitions.
- C.R.S. 17-1-113.1 – Administration or monitoring of medications to persons in correctional facilities.
- C.R.S. 17-1-113.4 – Opioid treatment for a person in custody – definitions.
- C.R.S. 18-1-712 – Immunity for a person who administers an opiate antagonist during an opiate-related drug overdose event – definitions.
- C.R.S. 18-1-711 – Immunity for persons who suffer or report an emergency drug or alcohol overdose event – definitions – repeal.
- C.R.S. 22-1-119.1 – Policy for employee and agent possession and administration of opiate antagonists – definitions.
- HB24-1037 – Substance Use Disorders Harm Reduction – Concerning reducing the harm caused by substance use disorders. (signed by Gov 6/6/2024)
Colorado Needle Exchange Programs (NEP) & Syringe Services programs (SSP) Information
- C.R.S. 18-18-403 – Additional definition.
- C.R.S. 18-18-426 – Drug paraphernalia – definitions.
- C.R.S. 18-18-428 – Possession of drug paraphernalia – penalty.
- C.R.S. 18-18-430.5 – Drug paraphernalia – exemption.
- C.R.S. 25-1-520 – Clean syringe exchange programs – operation – approval – reporting requirements.
- HB24-1037 – Substance Use Disorders Harm Reduction – Concerning reducing the harm caused by substance use disorders. (signed by Gov 6/6/2024)
Colorado Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS), Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal (NOWS) Information
- C.R.S. 13-25-136 – Criminal actions – prenatal drug and alcohol screening – admissibility of evidence.
- C.R.S. 19-3-102 – Neglected or dependent child.
- C.R.S. 19-3-304 – Persons required to report child abuse or neglect.
Colorado Opioid Litigation Proceeds Information
Colorado Overdose Prevention Centers (OPC), Supervised Consumption Sites (SCS), Supervised Injection Facilities (SIF) Information
- HB 1028 – Concerning the authorization for a municipality to allow for the operation of an overdose prevention center within its jurisdiction. (Pending 2024)
Colorado Overdose Surveillance/Reporting Information
- C.R.S. 18-18.5-101 – Substance Abuse Prevention, Intervention, and Treatment Response of the Criminal Justice System. Legislative declaration.
- C.R.S. 18-18.5-102 – Definitions.
- C.R.S. 18-18.5-103 – State substance abuse trend and response task force – creation – membership – duties – report.
- C.R.S. 18-18.5-104 – Task force funding.
- C.R.S. 18-18.5-105 – Cash fund – created.
Colorado Pain Management Information
- C.R.S. 10-16-139 – Access to care – rules – definitions.
- C.R.S. 12-30-109.5 – Prescription drugs for treatment of chronic pain – patients – prescribers – definitions.
- C.R.S. 12-30-114 – Demonstrated competency – opiate prescribers – rules – definition.
- C.R.S. 12-240-121 – Unprofessional conduct – definitions.
- C.R.S. 18-18-308 – Prescriptions.
Colorado Pill Press & Counterfeit Medication Information
- C.R.S. 18-18-420 – Imitation controlled substances – definitions.
- C.R.S. 18-18-421 – Imitation controlled substances – determination – considerations.
- C.R.S. 18-18-422 – Imitation controlled substances – violations – penalties.
- C.R.S. 18-18-423 – Counterfeit substances prohibited – penalty.
- C.R.S. 18-18-424 – Imitation controlled substances – exceptions.
Colorado Prescription Drug Drop-Off Information
- C.R.S. 25-15-328 – Household medication take-back program – creation – collection and disposal of medication injection devices – liability – definitions – cash fund – rules.
Colorado Prescription Drug Importation Information
- SB 19-005 – Signed Act (5/16/2019) – Concerning wholesale importation of prescription pharmaceutical products from Canada for resale to Colorado residents, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation.
- SB 21-123 – Signed Act (4/26/2021) – Concerning expanding the Canadian prescription drug importation program to include prescription drug suppliers from nations other than Canada upon the enactment of legislation by the United States congress authorizing such practice.
Colorado Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Information
- C.R.S. 12-280-401 – Legislative declaration.
- C.R.S. 12-280-402 – Definitions.
- C.R.S. 12-280-403 – Prescription drug use monitoring program – registration required – applications – rules – appropriation – repeal.
- C.R.S. 12-280-404 – Program operation – access – rules – definitions.
- C.R.S. 12-280-405 – Prescription drug monitoring fund – creation – fee.
- C.R.S. 12-280-406 – Violations – penalties.
Colorado Precursor Chemicals/Including Pseudoephedrine Information
- C.R.S. 18-18-412.5 – Unlawful possession of materials to make methamphetamine and amphetamine – penalty.
- C.R.S. 18-18-412.7 – Sale or distribution of materials to manufacture controlled substances.
- C.R.S. 18-18-412.8 – Retail sale of methamphetamine precursor drugs – unlawful acts – penalty.
Colorado Prison/Jail Program(s) Information
- C.R.S. 17-1-113.1 – Administration or monitoring of medications to persons in correctional facilities.
- C.R.S. 17-1-113.4 – Opioid treatment for a person in custody – definitions.
- C.R.S. 17-26-104.9 – Opioid treatment for a person in custody – definitions.
- C.R.S. 17-27-104 – Community corrections programs operated by units of local government, state agencies, or nongovernmental agencies.
- C.R.S. 18-1.3-410 – Fentanyl education and treatment program.
- C.R.S. 18-1.3-510 – Fentanyl education and treatment program.
Colorado School Programs/Information
- C.R.S. 22-1-119 – Students – dispensing of drugs to – liability.
- C.R.S. 22-1-119.1 – Policy for employee and agent possession and administration of opiate antagonists – definitions.
- C.R.S. 22-1-119.2 – Policy for employee and agent furnishing non-laboratory synthetic opiate detection tests – definition.
- C.R.S. 22-1-119.3 – Policy for student possession and administration of prescription medication – rules – definitions.
- C.R.S. 27-80-128 – Fentanyl education and treatment program.
- HB24-1003 – Opiate Antagonists and Detection Products in Schools – Concerning measures related to harm reduction for students. (Signed by Gov 4/22/2024)
Colorado Sober Living Homes/Recovery Residence Information
- C.R.S. 27-80-129 – Regulation of recovery residences – rules – definitions.
Colorado Substance Abuse Services Information
- C.R.S. Title 18, Art. 18.5 – Substance Abuse Prevention, Intervention, and Treatment Response of the Criminal Justice System
- C.R.S. 27-81-109 – Voluntary treatment of persons with substance use disorders.
- C.R.S. 27-81-110 – Voluntary treatment for persons intoxicated by alcohol, under the influence of drugs, or incapacitated by substances.
- C.R.S. 27-81-111 – Emergency commitment.
- C.R.S. 27-81-112 – Involuntary commitment of a person with a substance use disorder.
- State Board of Addiction Counselor Examiners: Practice Act and Laws
- HB24-1045 – Treatment for Substance Use Disorders – Concerning treatment for substance use disorders, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation. (Signed by Gov 6/6/2024)
Colorado Telemedicine/Telehealth Information
- C.R.S. 12-315-303 – Treatment of patients using telehealth — telemedicine — licensure — technology — consent. (Effective August 7, 2024)
- C.R.S. 12-315-305 – Prescribing medication through telemedicine. (Effective August 7, 2024)
- C.R.S. 25.5-5-414 – Telemedicine – legislative intent.
- National Telehealth Policy Resource Center – Colorado
Last Updated – 6/27/2024
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