Colorado Statutes of Limitations (2026)
A statute of limitations is the deadline by which prosecutors must file criminal charges. After this time period passes, the defendant generally cannot be charged. Here are the statutes of limitations for major crimes in Colorado.
Colorado Criminal Statutes of Limitations
| Crime Type | Time Limit |
|---|---|
| Murder / Homicide | None |
| Rape / Sexual Assault | None (or 20 years for certain) |
| Felony (General) | 3 years |
| Misdemeanor | 18 months |
| Fraud / Financial Crimes | 3 years |
| Theft / Larceny | 3 years |
| DUI / DWI | 18 months |
| Assault / Battery | 3 years |
Colorado has no SOL for crimes punishable by death or life imprisonment
When Can a Statute of Limitations Be Extended in Colorado?
Colorado, like most states, allows for tolling (pausing) the statute of limitations clock in specific circumstances:
- Defendant is absent from the state — the clock may pause if the defendant flees or moves out of Colorado
- DNA evidence — many states have extended or eliminated SOLs when DNA evidence is later discovered
- Victim was a minor — childhood sexual abuse cases often have extended SOLs, with the clock starting when the victim turns 18
- Fraud concealment — if a crime was deliberately concealed, the SOL may not start until the crime is discovered
- Defendant incompetence — if the defendant was declared incompetent
Crimes With No Statute of Limitations in Colorado
The following crimes in Colorado can be prosecuted at any time, no matter how long ago they occurred:
- Murder and first-degree homicide
- Terrorism-related offenses
Colorado Civil vs. Criminal Statutes of Limitations
It is important to distinguish between criminal statutes of limitations (how long the government has to prosecute you) and civil statutes of limitations (how long an individual has to sue you). The information above relates to criminal statutes only. Civil SOLs in Colorado vary by the type of claim (personal injury, contract disputes, property damage, etc.) and are governed by separate statutes.