Drug-Free Zones: What Coloradans Need to Know

Drug-free zone laws are a longstanding sentencing policy intended to increase criminal penalties for drug crimes committed near places where children are likely to be present. For example, near schools and parks. The first drug-free zone laws took effect in the 1970s, and they were ramped up as the “War on Drugs” really took hold during the Reagan presidency.

The principle of drug-free zone laws is pretty simple and straightforward: keep dangerous drugs and violence related to drug trafficking away [...]

What Happens in Colorado If You Crash While Drinking?

If you cause an accident while driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you face not only a Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charge, but also other serious criminal charges that could be punishable by lengthy incarceration and driver’s license revocation.

The exact charges resulting from a DWI accident will depend on whether anyone was injured or killed, and if so, the severity of the injuries. Other circumstances surrounding the offense may also affect sentencing and penalties.

Below, we cover [...]

With College Sex Crimes Up, What Do Colorado Universities Watch For?

Generally speaking, the overall crime rate on college campus has dropped substantially — except for one important area. Reports of sex crimes increased by an astounding 205% between 2001 and 2015.

This probably sounds terrifying – and it should. However, it is likely that the commission of sex crimes has not increased. Rather, what is probably happening is that more sex crimes are being reported as the stigma felt by victims has been lessened. Further, universities are under increased pressure [...]

Study: Legal Weed Lets Colorado Police Focus on Property Crime Arrests

See if this sounds familiar: “If cops don’t have to worry about arresting people for marijuana, they can pay attention to crimes that actually matter.”

Most of us have heard numerous variations of this argument over the years, but until 2012, it was just theoretical. Then Colorado and Washington legalized recreational marijuana, and researchers and statisticians started chomping at the bit.

Well, a few weeks ago a study was published in Police Quarterly that seems to possibly validate those types [...]

What You Need to Know about CBD Oil in Colorado

Cannabidiol (CBD) oil has recently gained popularity nationwide due to reported therapeutic effects for both common ailments and severe illness. CBD is not psychoactive and does not get users “high,” so many Americans have embraced it.

Despite these benefits, CBD is not yet legal in all 50 states. Worse, new legislation passed in December 2016 made CBD and other marijuana extracts federally illegal.

What does this mean for Coloradans?

Fortunately, CBD oil is derived from cannabis. Since Colorado enjoys [...]