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Colorado criminal charge

Second degree kidnapping in Colorado

Current through 2026 Colorado legislative session

Second degree kidnapping is a criminal offense under Colorado law, defined by C.R.S. § 18-3-302. 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. § 18-3-302.

What is the penalty for second degree kidnapping in Colorado?

Penalties for Second degree kidnapping
PenaltyRangeBasisAuthority
Jail / prison2 years to 6 years (Second degree kidnapping - base offense — Second degree kidnapping applies as a class 4 felony except where the aggravating circumstances of subsections (3) or (4) apply.)presumptiveC.R.S. § 18-1.3-401
Fine2000 usd to 500000 usd (Second degree kidnapping - base offense — Second degree kidnapping applies as a class 4 felony except where the aggravating circumstances of subsections (3) or (4) apply.)discretionaryC.R.S. § 18-1.3-401
Parole / supervision3 years to 3 years (Second degree kidnapping - base offense — Second degree kidnapping applies as a class 4 felony except where the aggravating circumstances of subsections (3) or (4) apply.; mandatory parole)mandatoryC.R.S. § 18-1.3-401

Applies to offenses on/after 2018-07-01.

How is second degree kidnapping classified in Colorado?

The classification depends on the circumstances:

Classification variants for Second degree kidnapping
VariantClassificationWhen it appliesStatute
Second degree kidnapping - base offenseclass 4 felonySecond degree kidnapping applies as a class 4 felony except where the aggravating circumstances of subsections (3) or (4) apply.18-3-302(5)

Common questions about second degree kidnapping in Colorado

Is second degree kidnapping a felony or a misdemeanor in Colorado?

Second degree kidnapping is a class 4 felony in Colorado under C.R.S. § 18-3-302.

Second degree kidnapping - base offense: class 4 felony (C.R.S. § 18-3-302(5))

What are the penalties for second degree kidnapping in Colorado?

Penalties for second degree kidnapping in Colorado depend on how it is classified — from a class 4 felony up to a class 4 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 second degree kidnapping?

Second degree kidnapping is governed by C.R.S. § 18-3-302 (Second degree kidnapping).

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.