Criminal Offense of Assault

Broader assault protections and tougher sentences

Colorado expands second-degree assault rules protecting police officers, firefighters, emergency medical care providers, and emergency medical service providers. The bodily-injury rule covers intentionally injuring another person to block the lawful work of someone known or reasonably believed to belong to these groups. The serious-bodily-injury rule covers intentionally injuring another person to block lawful work by police officers, firefighters, or emergency medical service providers. Protection for emergency medical care providers covers any function related to medical care. Courts must apply C.R.S. § 18-1.3-406 when someone convicted of second-degree assault under subsection (1)(i) has a qualifying prior conviction under that same subsection. The prior case must have been separately brought and tried before the new offense, and the charging papers must list the prior conviction. Repeat second-degree assault by strangulation using a deadly weapon, including a body part, can be charged as a crime of violence requiring incarceration. The law takes effect September 1, 2026, and applies to offenses committed on or after its effective date. If a referendum petition challenges the law or any part, the challenged measure requires voter approval at the November 2026 general election. Following approval, it takes effect on the date of the governor's official declaration of the vote.