Colorado legal term
Extraordinary circumstances in Colorado Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Colorado legislative session
In Colorado criminal law, “Extraordinary circumstances” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the Colorado criminal code.
What does “Extraordinary circumstances” mean in Colorado criminal law?
"Extraordinary circumstances" includes, but shall not be limited to, weather-related delays, high call volume affecting medical personnel, power outages, malfunctioning breath test equipment, and other circumstances that preclude the timely collection and testing of a blood or breath sample by a qualified person in accordance with law. (C.R.S. § 42-4-1301.1)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.