Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors | Last reviewed October 15, 2018
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Every state has disorderly conduct or disturbing the peace laws on the books, prohibiting things like obscene language, unreasonable noise, and fighting. These laws are generally aimed at protecting citizens' safety and enjoyment of public places.
The Rocky Mountain State has 28 such offenses in its criminal code, under the umbrella of Public Peace and Order. Along with its specific disorderly conduct statute, Colorado also has laws prohibiting everything from loitering to inciting or engaging in a riot. Acts that are outlawed in between include interfering with a funeral, hindering public transportation, and desecrating venerated objects.
Statutory language is often written in outdated legal jargon, which can take time to understand. For this reason, it can be very helpful to read an overview of the statute in plain English. The following table outlines the specifics of Colorado's disorderly conduct laws and provides links to applicable statutes.
| Statute(s) | Colorado Revised Statutes, Title 18. Article 9, Part 1, Section 18-9-106 (Disorderly Conduct) |
| Defining the Offense | It's disorderly conduct when a person intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly:
*This doesn't apply to people engaged in lawful target practice, hunting, or involved in a funeral for a veteran. |
| Charges and Penalties | Disorderly conduct is either a petty offense or a misdemeanor depending on the circumstances:
*It's a class 2 misdemeanor if the offense is committed with intent to interfere with a funeral or with intent to cause severe emotional distress to a person attending a funeral. |
| Related Statute(s) | Colorado Revised Statutes, Title 18. Article 9, Part 1, Section 18-9-102, et seq. (Public Peace and Order) |
Note: State laws are always subject to change through the passage of new legislation, rulings in the higher courts (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information available, please consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
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Yes, it's a bummer to get arrested for a little rowdy behavior, but an arrest and possible conviction for disorderly conduct should never be taken lightly. Always have the facts about the laws and any possible defenses to the disorderly conduct charges against you. Find out more by contacting an experienced criminal defense attorney in Colorado today.
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