Understanding Colorado’s Hate Crime Enhancement Laws and Penalties
January 29, 2026
Carrying a concealed weapon is a serious responsibility—and in Colorado, the laws around it can be more complicated than they seem. If you carry a firearm or are thinking about getting a permit, it’s essential to understand your rights and obligations under state law. Because when things go wrong, they can go very wrong.
Even a simple mistake—like carrying in a restricted area or letting your permit lapse—can lead to criminal charges. That’s why knowing the law and calling a [...]
No one wants to get pulled over by the police when driving, but several things can turn a routine traffic stop into a serious incident – including driving while intoxicated.
However, if the police observe you driving under the influence in Colorado and you have a firearm in the car, things can get much more complicated.
If you’re a firearm owner, it’s vital to understand what the law says about keeping a firearm in your vehicle. There are possible consequences [...]
Does it surprise you to learn that thousands of guns go missing in the state of Colorado every year? It’s true.
If you own a gun and lose it, you’re not required to report it to the police – at least not yet.
A woman who lost her daughter to a gunshot wound from a stolen gun is advocating for a new law. It would require gun owners to report lost or stolen firearms to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. [...]
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in panic for a lot of people. That manifests itself through the stockpiling of certain items. For some people, it’s food or household products; for others, it’s guns and ammunition.
Reports out of Colorado Springs have detailed the increased sales of firearms throughout the state. Some gun retailers say their sales are four times greater now than they were one year ago. This has resulted in a shortage of ammunition as well.
Of course, every [...]
In the modern era, gun control has become a very divisive issue. Local gun ordinance laws can clash with state laws, as has been the case in Colorado recently.
For example, in Boulder in 2018, the city council passed an ordinance that banned the possession and sale of high-capacity magazines and assault-style weapons within the city limits.
After passing this ordinance, the city’s citizen groups sued and now the Colorado Supreme Court is going to weigh in on whether or [...]
Hate crime enhancements allow Colorado prosecutors to increase criminal penalties. A misdemeanor assault could become a felony with years in prison if bias motivation is proven. These enhancements don’t require explicit hatred; prosecutors just need to show that prejudice based on protected characteristics played a role.
At the Law Office of Jacob Martinez, our Denver criminal defense attorneys defend clients statewide, challenging subjective or ambiguous evidence. Many alleged “proofs” of bias have reasonable alternative explanations.
What Are Colorado Hate Crime[...]In criminal cases across Denver, CO, DNA evidence is presented as powerful proof linking a defendant to a crime scene, victim, or weapon. While DNA analysis can be highly reliable when performed correctly, it is not infallible. Criminal defense attorneys at the Law Office of Jacob Martinez frequently challenge DNA evidence on multiple grounds to create reasonable doubt or even exclude it entirely from trial. This is especially relevant in Denver, where many cases rely on testing from the Colorado [...]
Police body camera footage has become one of the most influential types of evidence in Colorado criminal cases. What officers’ records can support their account or expose inconsistencies that benefit your defense. Understanding how to obtain and use this footage is essential when facing charges.
At the Law Office of Jacob Martinez, our Denver criminal defense attorney team pursues body camera footage in every case where it exists. We know how to analyze video evidence, identify improper police conduct, and [...]