What pretrial diversion or drug court programs exist in Colorado?
Colorado's diversion statutes are concentrated in Article 1.3 of Title 18.
1. Pretrial Intervention / Diversion (DA-Run). C.R.S. § 18-1.3-101 establishes adult pretrial diversion: DA may divert defendants charged with most non-violent offenses; supervision up to 2 years; completion = dismissal. Fees up to $192 plus supervision costs.
2. Statutory Deferred Adjudication / Judicial Diversion. C.R.S. § 18-1.3-102 (Deferred Judgment and Sentence, DJ&S) lets the court accept a guilty plea and continue sentencing for up to 2 years (4 for some felonies); successful completion = withdrawal of plea and dismissal. Distinct from § 18-1.3-101.
3. Drug Court / Problem-Solving Court. State Court Administrator's Office certifies problem-solving courts including adult drug, DUI, family, and juvenile; 60+ statewide.
4. Veterans Treatment Court. Authorized administratively; first opened in El Paso County 2010.
5. Mental Health Court / Wellness Court. SCAO-certified problem-solving courts; coordinates with BHA.
6. DUI Court. SCAO-certified; ignition interlock under § 42-2-132.5; mandatory for repeat DUI.
7. Juvenile / Young Adult. Juvenile diversion under § 19-2.5-403 (mandatory in most jurisdictions); no separate young-adult diversion statute, though restorative-justice options under § 18-1-901(3)(o.7).
8. First-Time-Offender Statute. Sealing under C.R.S. § 24-72-704 to -708; immediate sealing on dismissal under § 24-72-702.
9. Effects. Diversion and DJ&S completions = dismissal and immediate sealing eligibility. Federal databases persist.
10. Federal Pretrial Diversion. 18 U.S.C. § 3154; DCO operates PTD.
This is legal information, not legal advice.
- You want pretrial diversion under § 18-1.3-101 vs. deferred judgment under § 18-1.3-102
- You need entry into a problem-solving court but the DA opposes
- You qualify for sealing under § 24-72-704 after completing diversion
- C.R.S. § 18-1.3-101
- C.R.S. § 18-1.3-102
- C.R.S. § 24-72-704
- C.R.S. § 19-2.5-403
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.