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Colorado Rules of Criminal Procedure – 2026

The Colorado Rules of Criminal Procedure govern the procedure in criminal cases in Colorado courts, covering the initiation of prosecutions, pretrial proceedings, discovery, trial, sentencing, and appeals.

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Browse all 83 rules of the 2026 edition below. Each rule includes the full text, a plain-English summary, committee notes, amendment history, and cross-references to related rules. Use the search box to find rules by keyword or number.

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I. Scope, Purpose, and Construction II. Initiation of Preliminary Felony Proceedings III. Indictment and Information IV. Arraignment and Preparation for Trial V. Venue VI. Trial VII. Judgment VIII. Supplementary and Special Proceedings

I. Scope, Purpose, and Construction

Rule 1 Scope Rule 2 Purpose and Construction

II. Initiation of Preliminary Felony Proceedings

Rule 3 The Felony Complaint Rule 4 Warrant or Summons Upon Felony Complaint Rule 4.1 County Court Procedure — Misdemeanor and Petty Offense — Warrant or Summons Upon Complaint Rule 4.2 Arrest Warrant Without Information, Felony Complaint, or Complaint Rule 5 Preliminary Proceedings

III. Indictment and Information

Rule 6 Grand Jury Rules Rule 6.1 Subpoenas — Issuance and Time Limits Rule 6.2 Secrecy of Proceedings — Witness Privacy — Representation by Counsel Rule 6.3 Oath of Witnesses Rule 6.4 Reporting of Proceedings Rule 6.5 Investigator Rule 6.6 Indictment — Presentation — Sealing Rule 6.7 Reports Rule 6.8 Indictment — Amendment Rule 6.9 Testimony Rule 7 The Indictment and the Information Rule 8 Joinder of Offenses and of Defendants Rule 9 Warrant or Summons Upon Indictment or Information

IV. Arraignment and Preparation for Trial

Rule 10 Arraignment Rule 11 Pleas Rule 12 Pleadings, Motions Before Trial, Defenses, and Objections Rule 12.1 Notice of Alibi Rule 13 Trial Together of Indictments, Informations, Complaints, Summons and Complaints Rule 14 Relief from Prejudicial Joinder Rule 15 Depositions Rule 16 Discovery and Procedure Before Trial Rule 17 Subpoena

V. Venue

Rule 18 Venue Rule 19 No Colorado Rule Rule 20 No Colorado Rule Rule 21 Change of Venue or Judge Rule 22 Time of Motion to Transfer

VI. Trial

Rule 23 Trial by Jury or to the Court Rule 24 Trial Jurors Rule 25 Disability of Judge Rule 26 Evidence Rule 26.1 Determination of Foreign Law Rule 26.2 Written Records Rule 27 Proof of Official Record Rule 28 No Colorado Rule Rule 29 Motion for Acquittal Rule 30 Instructions Rule 31 Verdict

VII. Judgment

Rule 32 Sentence and Judgment Rule 32.1 Death Penalty Sentencing Hearing Rule 32.2 Death Penalty Post-Trial Procedures Rule 33 New Trial Rule 34 Arrest of Judgment Rule 35 Postconviction Remedies Rule 36 Clerical Mistakes Rule 37 Appeals from County Court Rule 37.1 Interlocutory Appeal from County Court Rule 38 Appeals from the District Court Rule 39 Stays Rule 40 (Reserved)

VIII. Supplementary and Special Proceedings

Rule 41 Search, Seizure, and Confession Rule 41.1 Court Order for Nontestimonial Identification Rule 41.2 Interlocutory Appeal from the County Court Rule 41.3 Interlocutory Appeal from District Court Rule 42 No Colorado Rule Rule 43 Presence of the Defendant Rule 44 Appearance of Counsel Rule 45 Time Rule 46 Bail Rule 46.1 Bail — County Courts Rule 47 Motions Rule 48 Dismissal Rule 49 Service and Filing of Papers Rule 49.5 Electronic Filing and Service System Rule 50 Calendars Rule 51 Exceptions Unnecessary Rule 52 Harmless Error and Plain Error Rule 53 Regulation of Conduct in the Courtroom Rule 54 Application and Exception Rule 55 Records Rule 55.1 Public Access to Court Records in Criminal Cases Rule 56 Courts and Clerks Rule 57 Rules of Court Rule 58 Forms Rule 59 Effective Date Rule 60 Citation