Statute of Limitations for Class B / 2nd Degree Felony in Colorado

Overview

Run this scenario in DocketMath using the Statute Of Limitations calculator.

In Colorado, the statute of limitations sets a deadline for the state to file (or proceed with) a criminal case for certain offenses. For a Class B / 2nd Degree felony, that deadline depends on the specific charge language and how the offense is classified under Colorado law.

If you’re trying to estimate timing for investigative steps, charging decisions, or case evaluation, DocketMath’s statute-of-limitations calculator can help you translate the statute into a practical “latest possible date.” You’ll still want a qualified professional to confirm how the statute applies to the exact facts of the case—but the calculator makes the baseline clock easier to understand.

Limitation period

For Colorado felonies, the general framework is a multi-tier system. Class B felonies are treated differently than Class 2 (or other) classifications depending on the Colorado sentencing/charging scheme for that specific offense.

Typical baseline for Class B / 2nd Degree felony in Colorado

Colorado’s criminal limitations rules generally use a fixed limitations period by felony class. For Class B felonies (often reflected in practice as 2nd-degree felony charges depending on the offense definition), the baseline limitations period is typically:

• 3 years for prosecution of a Class B felony under Colorado’s general limitations schedule.

That “3 years” baseline is the key starting point when you’re mapping out a timeline from:

• the date of the alleged offense, or
• the date of certain triggering events when the statute uses a specific accrual concept (for most straightforward felony charges, it’s the offense date).

How the deadline is computed (baseline clock)

Use this mental model before plugging numbers into DocketMath:

1. Identify the offense date (often the date of the conduct).
2. Add the limitations period (commonly 3 years for Class B felonies).
3. Adjust for tolling/exception events, if applicable.
4. If the prosecution is filed or proceeds within the adjusted deadline, it’s typically considered timely under the statute.

Practical timeline example

Assume:

• Alleged offense date: January 15, 2022
• Baseline limitations period (Class B): 3 years

Baseline “latest filing date”:

• January 15, 2025 (with real-world timing often turning on exact filing timestamps and tolling events)

If tolling applies—say, there was a qualifying delay during which the clock paused—the latest date can move forward.

Key exceptions

Colorado has provisions that can pause the limitations clock (tolling) or change when the period starts running. The exact exception depends heavily on the charging facts.

Common categories of exceptions to watch

When calculating or reviewing a Class B felony limitations deadline, pay attention to these categories:

• Tolling during the defendant’s absence: If the defendant is absent from the state (or otherwise unavailable under the statute’s terms), the limitations period may pause or extend.
• Concealment or identity issues: Some statutes treat certain situations (like concealed identity) differently, affecting accrual.
• New filings or amended charges: Limitations can interact with how amendments relate back to original filings, depending on procedural history.
• Prior proceedings: If a case was initiated and then dismissed or otherwise procedurally changed, the limitations analysis can become more complicated than a straight “offense date + 3 years.”

What this means for inputs

Even if your offense is a straightforward Class B charge, your inputs should be specific. For example:

• If the statute points to an “accrual” date other than the offense date, your calculator should reflect that accrual trigger.
• If there’s a tolling event, you may need:

  • the date the clock pauses,
  • the date the clock resumes,
  • or the duration provided by the case record.

Case-history checklist (for determining what to include)

Before using DocketMath, gather these basic facts from the charging document and docket history (where available):

Statute citation

Colorado’s criminal statute of limitations for felony classes is set out in Colorado Revised Statutes (C.R.S.) § 16-5-401.

For Class B felonies, the general rule is that the limitations period is 3 years.

Use the calculator

DocketMath’s statute-of-limitations tool is designed to convert the statute’s structure into a concrete deadline using dates you provide. You can use it in two common ways:

A) Estimate the last possible deadline

This is useful when you know (or suspect) an offense date and want a baseline timeline.

Typical inputs:

• Jurisdiction: US-CO (Colorado)
• Offense classification: Class B / 2nd Degree felony (select the classification option that matches how the charge is described)
• Date of offense (or accrual date): the key starting point

What you’ll get:

• A baseline latest date (often offense date + 3 years for Class B)
• An explanation of how that baseline was computed

B) Check whether an existing filing looks timely

If you have a charging date, you can compare it to the computed deadline.

Typical inputs:

• All of the above, plus:
• Filing/charging date: the date you want to test against the limitations deadline

What you’ll get:

• A clear pass/fail-style comparison based on the computed deadline and any tolling inputs you choose/enter (if your version of the calculator accepts them)

How outputs change with tolling

If you enter tolling/paused-period data (or if the tool provides an option to account for known tolling), the calculator can shift the deadline forward. The effect is usually:

• More tolling time → later “latest filing” date
• Less tolling time → earlier “latest filing” date

Direct CTA

Start here: /tools/statute-of-limitations

Sources and references

Start with the primary authority for Colorado and confirm the effective date before relying on any output. If the rule has been amended, update the inputs and rerun the calculation.

• Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-80-101

Related reading

• Choosing the right statute of limitations tool for Vermont — Tool comparison
• Statute of limitations in Singapore: how to estimate the deadline — How-to guide
• Choosing the right statute of limitations tool for Connecticut — Tool comparison