A misdemeanor offense is handled in the county court, and is punishable by a maximum penalty of incarceration in the county jail in which the county court is located. No misdemeanor sentence can exceed two (2) years in length. The sentencing range for misdemeanor offenses in Colorado is as follows:

• Class 1 Misdemeanor: 6-18 months in the county jail and/or a $500-$5,000 fine.

• Class 1 Misdemeanor (Extraordinary Risk Crime): 6-24 months in the county jail and/or a $500-$5,000 fine.

• Class 2 Misdemeanor: 3-12 months in the county jail and/or a $250-$1,000 fine.

• Class 3 Misdemeanor: 0-6 months in the county jail and/or a $50-$750 fine.

• Class 1 Traffic Infraction: 10 days to 1 year in the county jail and/or $100-$1,000 fine.

• Class 2 Traffic Infraction: 10-90 days in the county jail and/or a $10- $300 fine.

• Class A Traffic Infraction: $15-$100 fine.

• Class B Traffic Infraction: $15-$100 fine.

Major traffic infractions, which can include Driving under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol and Driving While Your Driver's License is Suspended or Revoked, carry their own set of penalties. It is important to remember that the court also has additional alternative sentencing options which are discussed in a different section.

A felony offense is handled by the district court, and is punishable by a maximum penalty of incarceration in the Colorado State Penitentiary. The sentencing rage for felony offenses in Colorado is as follows:

• Class 1 Felony: Life Imprisonment or Death.

• Class 2 Felony: 4-48 years in prison and/or a $5000-1,000,000 fine.

• Class 3 Felony: 2-24 years in prison and/or a $3000-$750,000 fine.

• Class 3 Felony: (Extraordinary Risk Crime): 2-32 years in prison and/or a $3000-$750,000 fine.

• Class 4 Felony: 1-12 years in prison and/or a $2000-$500,000 fine.

• Class 4 Felony (Extraordinary Risk Crime): 1-16 years in prison and/or a $2000-$500,000 fine.

• Class 5 Felony: 1-3 years in prison and/or a $1000-$100,000 fine.

• Class 5 Felony (Extraordinary Risk Crime): 1-4 years in prison and/or a $1000-$100,000 fine.

• Class 6 Felony: 1 year to 18 months in prison and/or a $1000-$100.000 fine.

• Class 6 Felony (Extraordinary Risk Crime): 1-2 years in prison and/or a $1000-$100,000 fine.

Crimes that constitute an extraordinary risk can include aggravated robbery, child abuse, unlawful distribution, manufacturing, dispensing, sale or possession of a controlled substance with the intent to sell, distribute, manufacture or dispense, any crime of violence, stalking and the sale of materials to manufacture controlled substances. Each felony also carries a mandatory period of parole in additional to the actual prison sentence. It is important to remember that the court also has additional alternative sentencing options which are discussed in a different section.