Government-Related Crimes in Colorado

In Colorado, interfering with the government can lead to criminal charges. This includes impersonating a government worker, altering public records, obstructing government work, or taking money in exchange for not reporting a crime. Government-related crimes can result in misdemeanor criminal charges, including fines and potential jail time.

In this article, our Denver Colorado criminal defense lawyers will address:

• 1. Impersonating a Public Servant C.R.S. 18-8-113
  • 1.1. What is a public servant?
  • 1.2. What are the penalties for impersonating a public servant in Colorado?
• 2. Abuse of Records C.R.S. 18-8-114
  • 2.1. What are the penalties for abuse of public records in Colorado?
• 3. Obstructing Government Operations C.R.S. 18-8-102
  • 3.1. What are the penalties for obstructing government operations in Colorado?
• 4. Compounding Crime C.R.S. 18-8-108
  • 4.1. What are the penalties for compounding in Colorado?

1. Impersonating a Public Servant C.R.S. 18-8-113

Pretending to be a public servant (CRS 18-8-113) is a criminal violation in Colorado. “A person commits impersonating a public servant if he falsely pretends to be a public servant and performs any act in that pretend capacity.”¹

An individual may pretend to be a public servant to gain access to a building to commit a crime, get preferential treatment in exchange for not reporting violations, or simply to park for free at a private event.

It is not a defense to prosecution that the office the impersonator claimed to represent did not exist. For example, if an individual in a uniform tries to enter a Denver Broncos game claiming to be part of the Colorado Concessions Enforcement Department, it is not a defense to impersonating a public servant just because the Concessions Enforcement Department does not exist.

1.1. What is a public servant?

Under Colorado law, a “public servant” is defined as “any officer or employee of the government, whether elected or appointed, and any person participating as an advisor, consultant, process server, or otherwise in performing a governmental function.”²

Public servants include police officers, fire marshals, prosecutors, mayors, state senators, city clerks, health officers, process servers, public works officers, code enforcement workers, judges, and other city, county, state, or federal officials.

While the term public servant includes police officers, impersonating a public servant is a separate offense from impersonating a police officer. Impersonating a peace officer is a much more serious offense under C.R.S. 18-8-12 and can lead to felony criminal charges.

1.2. What are the penalties for impersonating a public servant in Colorado?

Impersonating a public servant in Colorado is a class 2 misdemeanor. A conviction for impersonating a public servant is punishable by up to 120 days in jail and/or up to $750.³

2. Abuse of Records C.R.S. 18-8-114

Changing, destroying, or entering false information into public records is a criminal offense in Colorado per CRS 18-8-114. A person commits abuse of records if the person:

• Knowingly makes a false entry or alters a public record; or
• Destroys, mutilates, conceals, removes, or impairs the availability of a public record; or
• Refuses to deliver a public record upon request ⁴

In Colorado, “public records” include “all official books, papers, or records created, received, or used by or in any governmental office or agency.”⁵ Public records may include:

• Birth records
• Death records
• Marriage records
• Voting records
• City Council meeting minutes
• Budget records
• Studies and reports
• Titles and deeds
• Government contracts

2.1. What are the penalties for abuse of public records in Colorado?

Abuse of public records is a class 2 misdemeanor. The penalties for abuse of public records in Colorado include up to 120 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $750.

3. Obstructing Government Operations C.R.S. 18-8-102

The crime of obstructing government operations (CRS 18-8-102) involves intentionally obstructing, impairing, or hindering a governmental function by a public servant. This includes using threats of violence, force, physical interference, or obstacles.⁶

Not all incidents of obstructing a public servant are a crime. It is an affirmative defense where:

• The public servant was engaged in an unlawful action;
• The obstruction, impairment, or hindrance was of the making of an arrest;
• The obstruction, impairment, or hindrance of a governmental function was by lawful activities in connection with a labor dispute with the government.⁷

3.1. What are the penalties for obstructing government operations in Colorado?

Obstructing government operations is a class 2 misdemeanor. If found guilty of obstructing government operations, the penalties include up to 120 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $750.

4. Compounding C.R.S. 18-8-108

Compounding involves taking money in exchange for not reporting a crime or not seeking prosecution. Under C.R.S. 18-8-108, the crime of compounding in Colorado is the acceptance or agreement to accept any pecuniary benefit in exchange for:

• Refraining from seeking prosecution of an offender; or
• Refraining from reporting to law enforcement authorities the suspected commission of any crime or information relating to a crime.

For example, let’s say Chloe is walking her dog at night when she sees a car swerving on the road and hitting a stop sign, knocking it over. She goes to see if the driver is ok. The driver, Ned, gets out of the car and says he is unharmed. He says he had too much to drink and cannot get a DUI. He offers Chloe $500 if she won’t report him to the police. If Chloe accepts the offer, she may be guilty of compounding.

4.1. What are the penalties for compounding in Colorado?

Compounding is a class 2 misdemeanor. If found guilty of compounding, the penalties include up to 120 days in jail and/or up to $750.⁸

Call us for help…

If you have been accused of government-related crimes, please contact us at Colorado Legal Defense Group. Our caring Colorado defense attorneys have many years of experience representing clients who have been charged with abuse of records and other government crimes. We are among the best Colorado criminal defense attorneys to call. Contact us today for a free consultation by phone or in-person or in our Denver law office.

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