Victim's Rights

Colorado Victim Rights Act

The purpose of the Colorado Victim Rights Act is to preserve and protect a victim's rights to justice and due process and to ensure the justice system pursue the rights of victims with equal diligence as rights guaranteed to criminal defendants.

The Constitution of the State of Colorado and the laws of this state guarantee rights to the victims of the following crimes:

• Murder in the first or second degree
• Manslaughter
• Criminally negligent homicide
• Vehicular homicide
• Assault in the first, second or third degree
• Vehicular assault
• Menacing
• Kidnapping in the first or second degree
• Sexual assault
• Unlawful sexual contact
• Sexual assault on a child
• Robbery
• Burglary in the first degree
• Incest
• Child abuse
• Sexual exploitation of children
• Trafficking of children
• Certain crimes against at-risk adults or at-risk juveniles
• Domestic Violence crimes
• Stalking
• Invasion of privacy for sexual gratification
• Bias-motivated crimes
• Careless driving that results in the death of another person
• Failure to stop at the scene of an accident where the accident results in the death of another person
• Retaliation against or tampering with a witness or victim
• Intimidation of a witness or victim
• Retaliation against a judge or juror
• Indecent exposure
• Violation of a protection order issued under C.R.S. 18-1-1001
• Any criminal attempt, criminal conspiracy, criminal solicitation, accessory to a crime involving any above listed crimes

Victims of the crimes listed above are guaranteed the following rights. If the victim is deceased or incapacitated, these rights are guaranteed to the victim's spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, significant other or other lawful representative:

Personal Treatment / Privacy

• Treatment with fairness, respect and dignity.
• Information about steps that may be taken if subjected to intimidation or harassment
• Upon request of the victim, correctional officials will keep confidential addresses, phone numbers, and places of employment or other personal information of the victim or the victim's immediate family.

Case Information / Legal Proceedings

• Information on all charges filed and assurance of swift and fair resolution of the proceeding.
• Input into decisions regarding plea bargains and to be present and have input at sentencing and parole hearings.
• Information regarding restitution or civil remedies.
• Release of property within five (5) days after the case is settled and the property is no longer needed as evidence.
• Notification of all case dispositions, including appeals.
• Timely notification of all court dates.
• Secured waiting area when available

Community Resources / Employment Assistance

• Information regarding community resources and other information that will assist recovery.
• Assistance with employment problems resulting for being the victim of a crime.

Criminal Convictions, Release, Etc.

• Notification of any change in the status or the release from custody of the accused.
• The institution where the person is incarcerated or otherwise being held.
• The projected release date of the person.
• Any release of the person including furlough, work release or community corrections in advance of release.
• Date and location of scheduled parole hearings.
• Any escape of the person from a correctional facility or program.
• Any release or discharge from a confinement of the person and conditions of that release.
• The death of the person while in a correctional facility or program.

More information for Victims
Crime Victims Rights-English
Crime Victims Rights-Spanish
Victim Compensation
Colorado VINE (Victim Information & Notification Everyday)

If you feel that your rights as a victim have not been upheld, contact

Crime Victim Services Advisory Board
Colorado Division of Criminal Justice
700 Kipling Street, Suite 1000
Denver, CO 80215

303-239-5719  - General Information
303-239-4497 - Victim Rights Act Specialist