Statute of Limitations for Class B Misdemeanor 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 government to file (or, depending on the posture of the case, proceed with) criminal charges. For a Class B misdemeanor, Colorado law prescribes a specific limitations period—meaning a case must generally be initiated within that timeframe after the conduct occurred.

This page focuses on Class B misdemeanors in Colorado, and how to quickly estimate timing using DocketMath’s statute-of-limitations calculator. If you’re working through an incident date, an arrest date, or a charging date, you’ll want to confirm which date your question depends on, because limitations timing is anchored to the date of the alleged offense and can be affected by certain legal events.

Limitation period

Default rule: 18 months for Class B misdemeanors

For a Class B misdemeanor in Colorado, the general statute of limitations is:

• 18 months from the date the offense occurred.

Colorado counts limitations by looking to the criminal limitations statute applicable to the offense class. For misdemeanors, the period is comparatively shorter than for felonies, so “how long ago did the incident happen?” often drives the analysis.

How to think about dates (common scenarios)

Use these practical checkpoints when you’re preparing to calculate whether the deadline has likely passed:

• Incident / offense date: This is usually the anchor date the statute uses.
• Charging date: When the case is filed or initiated is typically what matters for whether the government acted within the deadline.
• Arrest date: In some situations it may be relevant to case timeline, but the limitations calculation generally tracks the offense date to the filing/charging action.
• Ongoing conduct: If the “offense” involves a continuing course of conduct, the last date of the conduct may matter for determining the operative date.

Quick timing example (18 months)

If the alleged Class B misdemeanor conduct occurred on:

• January 15, 2024

Then the base limitations period of 18 months runs to around:

• July 15, 2025 (timing may vary slightly depending on how the exact calculation falls by date rules)

The key takeaway: 18 months is a hard baseline, and exceptions (next section) can extend it or pause it.

Key exceptions

Colorado’s criminal limitations rules include situations where the limitations clock can be tolled (paused) or the running can be affected. These exceptions depend on case posture and events that occur after the offense.

Below are the most common categories you’ll see in practice:

1) Tolling during certain periods

If specific statutory tolling events apply, the government may have more time than the baseline 18 months. Tolling can occur when legal events affect the ability to proceed or pursue the defendant under Colorado’s statutory scheme.

2) Delays caused by the defendant

In many jurisdictions (and in Colorado in specific contexts), delays attributable to the defendant can impact whether the clock continues to run. If the defendant’s actions create delay that fits within Colorado’s statutory tolling framework, the limitations analysis changes.

3) Interruption or extension mechanisms tied to case events

Some exceptions are triggered by procedural events—such as whether the matter is actively pursued in a way that satisfies statutory requirements.

What this means for your calculation

When you use DocketMath, you’ll start with the 18-month baseline, but you should be prepared for the possibility that real-world timelines can shift if a tolling/exception applies. In practical terms, your best next step is to identify:

• the alleged offense date (or last date of conduct, if continuing),
• the charging/filing date,
• and whether any known event could fit Colorado’s tolling framework.

Statute citation

Colorado’s statute of limitations for misdemeanors—including Class B misdemeanors—is found in Colorado Revised Statutes. The controlling provision is:

• Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-1.3-202 (Statute of limitations)

Within that statute, the limitations period applicable to misdemeanor classes includes the 18-month period for Class B misdemeanors.

Use the calculator

DocketMath’s statute-of-limitations calculator helps you translate dates into a clear “likely within / likely outside” result using the base limitations period: /tools/statute-of-limitations.

Inputs you’ll typically use

To get the most accurate output, set up these inputs:

• Jurisdiction: Colorado (US-CO)
• Offense class: Class B misdemeanor
• Offense date: The date the alleged conduct occurred (or the last date, if it was continuing)
• Target date to compare against: Usually the charging/filing date (or another date your workflow requires)

How outputs change based on inputs

The calculator’s output will move in predictable ways:

• Change the offense date → the expiration date shifts by the same relative amount.
• Change the target date → you’ll flip between “inside” and “outside” the limitations period depending on whether the target falls before or after the calculated deadline.
• If you’re comparing against a date other than the typical “charging/filing” event, the result may not match how a court analyzes commencement—so use a date that aligns with your intended question.

Example workflow (baseline, no exceptions)

1. Enter Offense date: January 15, 2024
2. Enter Target date (charging/filing): August 1, 2025
3. Select Class B misdemeanor under Colorado (US-CO)

With the baseline 18 months, the calculator will show whether August 1, 2025 falls after the likely expiration window (about July 15, 2025, from the earlier example).

Primary CTA: start here

Use DocketMath’s calculator to run the numbers quickly:

• /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