{"id":372014,"date":"2016-04-11T01:21:32","date_gmt":"2016-04-11T06:21:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/colorado-law\/colorado-second-degree-murder.html"},"modified":"2025-06-18T12:47:50","modified_gmt":"2025-06-18T17:47:50","slug":"colorado-second-degree-murder","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/colorado-law\/colorado-second-degree-murder.html","title":{"rendered":"Colorado Second-Degree Murder"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Colorado Second-Degree Murder<\/h1>\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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Colorado defines second-degree murder as knowingly causing the death of another person without premeditation. It is distinct from first-degree murder, which involves deliberation and intent, and from manslaughter, which involves unintentional death due to recklessness or criminal negligence.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

In Colorado, homicide means the killing of a person by another. Murder is generally a homicide committed knowingly or intentionally. Colorado recognizes three types of murder:<\/p>\r\n