Colorado criminal charge
Criminal possession of forgery devices in Colorado
Criminal possession of forgery devices is a criminal offense under Colorado law, defined by C.R.S. § 18-5-109. Its classification is not fixed: Colorado assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.
Defined by C.R.S. § 18-5-109.
What is the penalty for criminal possession of forgery devices in Colorado?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | 1 years to 3 years (Possession/making of specialized forgery devices, adaptable devices, or document-making implements — Applies when the violation is under subsection (1)(a), (1)(b), or (1)(d) — making or possessing devices specifically designed or adaptable for forgery/counterfeiting, or unlawfully making, possessing, or uttering a document-making implement.) | presumptive | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Fine | $1,000 to $100,000 (Possession/making of specialized forgery devices, adaptable devices, or document-making implements — Applies when the violation is under subsection (1)(a), (1)(b), or (1)(d) — making or possessing devices specifically designed or adaptable for forgery/counterfeiting, or unlawfully making, possessing, or uttering a document-making implement.) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Parole / supervision | 2 years to 2 years (Possession/making of specialized forgery devices, adaptable devices, or document-making implements — Applies when the violation is under subsection (1)(a), (1)(b), or (1)(d) — making or possessing devices specifically designed or adaptable for forgery/counterfeiting, or unlawfully making, possessing, or uttering a document-making implement.; mandatory parole) | mandatory | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Jail / prison | 12 months to 18 months (Illegal possession of genuine forgery device — Applies when the violation is under subsection (1)(c) — illegally possessing a genuine plate, die, or other device used in producing written instruments or counterfeit marks with intent to fraudulently use it.) | presumptive | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Fine | $1,000 to $100,000 (Illegal possession of genuine forgery device — Applies when the violation is under subsection (1)(c) — illegally possessing a genuine plate, die, or other device used in producing written instruments or counterfeit marks with intent to fraudulently use it.) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Parole / supervision | 1 years to 1 years (Illegal possession of genuine forgery device — Applies when the violation is under subsection (1)(c) — illegally possessing a genuine plate, die, or other device used in producing written instruments or counterfeit marks with intent to fraudulently use it.; mandatory parole) | mandatory | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
Applies to offenses on/after 2018-07-01.
How is criminal possession of forgery devices classified in Colorado?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Possession/making of specialized forgery devices, adaptable devices, or document-making implements | Class 5 Felony | Applies when the violation is under subsection (1)(a), (1)(b), or (1)(d) — making or possessing devices specifically designed or adaptable for forgery/counterfeiting, or unlawfully making, possessing, or uttering a document-making implement. | 18-5-109(2)(a) |
| Illegal possession of genuine forgery device | Class 6 Felony | Applies when the violation is under subsection (1)(c) — illegally possessing a genuine plate, die, or other device used in producing written instruments or counterfeit marks with intent to fraudulently use it. | 18-5-109(2)(b) |
Common questions about criminal possession of forgery devices in Colorado
Is criminal possession of forgery devices a felony or a misdemeanor in Colorado?
It depends on the circumstances: criminal possession of forgery devices ranges from a Class 6 Felony to a Class 5 Felony in Colorado under C.R.S. § 18-5-109.
Possession/making of specialized forgery devices, adaptable devices, or document-making implements: Class 5 Felony (C.R.S. § 18-5-109(2)(a)) · Illegal possession of genuine forgery device: Class 6 Felony (C.R.S. § 18-5-109(2)(b))
What are the penalties for criminal possession of forgery devices in Colorado?
Penalties for criminal possession of forgery devices in Colorado depend on how it is classified — from a Class 6 Felony up to a Class 5 Felony — with the ranges set by C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which Colorado statute covers criminal possession of forgery devices?
Criminal possession of forgery devices is governed by C.R.S. § 18-5-109 (Criminal possession of forgery devices).
Legal terms used in this law
This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.