Colo. Rev. Stat. » Title 18
Colorado Revised Statutes

Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-3-102 (2026)

Murder in the first degree

✓ current as of July 2026
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(1) A person commits the crime of murder in the first degree if: (a) After deliberation and with the intent to cause the death of a person other than himself, he causes the death of that person or of another person; or (b) Repealed. (c) By perjury or subornation of perjury he procures the conviction and execution of any innocent person; or (d) Under circumstances evidencing an attitude of universal malice manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life generally, he knowingly engages in conduct which creates a grave risk of death to a person, or persons, other than himself, and thereby causes the death of another; or (e) He or she commits unlawful distribution, dispensation, or sale of a controlled substance to a person under the age of eighteen years on school grounds as provided in section 18-18-407 (2), or 18-18-407 (1)(g)(I) for offenses committed on or after October 1, 2013, and the death of such person is caused by the use of such controlled substance; or (f) The person knowingly causes the death of a child who has not yet attained twelve years of age and the person committing the offense is one in a position of trust with respect to the victim. (2) Repealed. (3) Murder in the first degree is a class 1 felony. (4) The statutory privilege between patient and physician and between husband and wife shall not be available for excluding or refusing testimony in any prosecution for the crime of murder in the first degree as described in paragraph (f) of subsection (1) of this section. Source: L. 71: R&RE, p. 418, § 1. C.R.S. 1963: § 40-3-102. L. 74: (1)(a) amended, p. 251, § 2, effective January 1, 1975. L. 75: (1)(b) amended, p. 632, § 5, effective July 1; (1)(b) amended, p. 617, § 5, effective July 21. L. 77: (1)(d) amended, p. 960, § 5, effective July 1. L. 81: (1)(d) amended, p. 973, § 4, effective July 1. L. 88: (1)(b) amended, p. 712, § 16, effective July 1. L. 90: (1)(e) added, p. 1006, § 2, effective July 1. L. 92: (1)(e) amended, p. 392, § 20, effective July 1. L. 95: (1)(f) and (4) added, pp. 1221, 1222, §§ 2, 3, effective July 1. L. 97: (1)(e) amended, p. 1543, § 11, effective July 1. L. 2000: (1)(b) amended, p. 703, § 28, effective July 1. L. 2019: (1)(e) amended, (SB 19-241), ch. 390, p. 3465, § 12, effective August 2. L. 2021: (1)(b) and (2) repealed, (SB 21-124), ch. 58, p. 235, § 1, effective September 15.

Cross references: For affirmative defenses generally, see §§ 18-1-407, 18-1-710, and 18-1-805; for the statutory privilege between patient and physician and between husband and wife, see § 13-90-107.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 379 cases (72 in the last 5 years), 1975–2026 · leading case: People v. Lowe, 660 P.2d 1261 (Colo. 1983).
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People v. Lowe, 660 P.2d 1261 (Colo. 1983). · cites it 36× “Under the pertinent provisions of section 18-3-102, C.R.S.1973 (1978 Repl.Vol.”
Friend v. People, 2018 CO 90 (Colo. 2018). · cites it 9× “(2018), prescribes more than one unit of prosecution and whether the prosecution presented sufficient evidence to establish that the defendant, Mark Alton Friend, committed more than one crime of child abuse and (2) whether child abuse resulting in death under sections…”
Auman v. People, 109 P.3d 647 (Colo. 2005). · cites it 20× “§ 18-3-102(1)(b), 6 C.R.S. (1999). Pursuant to the terms of this statute, it does not matter that the defendant had no intent to kill or that the defendant did not cause the killing.”
People v. Jefferson, 748 P.2d 1223 (Colo. 1988). · cites it 34× “4, § 18-3-102, 1981 Colo.Sess. Laws 972, 973 (currently codified at § 18-3-102(1)(d), 8B C.”
People v. Glover, 893 P.2d 1311 (Colo. 1995). · cites it 18× “Rather this court intended to give full effect to the jury’s finding that the evidence supported a conviction of first degree murder under both theories, felony murder and deliberate murder, and that those findings be merged into a single conviction of first *1316 degree murder…”
People v. Bowman, 669 P.2d 1369 (Colo. 1983). · cites it 34× “at 1271 . Therefore, section 18-1-408(3) does not apply to the various theories of first degree murder.”
v. Draper, 2021 COA 120 (Colo. Ct. App. 2021). · cites it 6× “” § 18-3-102(1)(a). A person commits second degree murder when that “person knowingly causes the death of a person.”
Wend v. People, 235 P.3d 1089 (Colo. 2010). · cites it 6× “The Trial The State charged Wend with first-degree murder under section 18-3-102, C.R.S. (2003). Wend argued at trial that she acted in self-defense when she shot Adamson.”
v. Jackson, 2020 CO 75 (Colo. 2020). · cites it 14× “After all, under section 18-3-102(1)(a), C.R.S. (2019), a person commits first degree murder if, “[a]fter deliberation and with the intent to cause the death of a person other than himself, he causes the death of that person or of another person.”
v. Garcia, 2021 COA 80 (Colo. Ct. App. 2021). · cites it 6× “See § 18-3-102(1)(d), C.R.S. 2020. 3 ¶8 Defense counsel tendered an additional instruction, which read, “‘Universal Malice’ is that depravity of the human heart which determines to take life upon slight or insufficient provocation, without knowing or caring who may be the victim.”
People v. Raymer, 662 P.2d 1066 (Colo. 1983). · cites it 24× “Section 18-3-102(1), C.R.S.1973 (1978 Repl.”
People v. Miller, 113 P.3d 743 (Colo. 2005). · cites it 5× “§ 18-3-102(1). Accordingly, evidence of voluntary intoxication is admissible to counter the specific intent element of first-degree murder.”
Show all 379 citing cases →
— Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-3-102(1) — 10 cases
People v. Mandez, 997 P.2d 1254 (Colo. Ct. App. 1999).
People v. Raymer, 662 P.2d 1066 (Colo. 1983). “Section 18-3-102(1), C.R.S.1973 (1978 Repl.”
People v. Miller, 113 P.3d 743 (Colo. 2005). “§ 18-3-102(1). Accordingly, evidence of voluntary intoxication is admissible to counter the specific intent element of first-degree murder.”
People v. Zekany, 833 P.2d 774 (Colo. Ct. App. 1991).
People v. Jimenez, 217 P.3d 841 (Colo. Ct. App. 2008).
— Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-3-102(1)(A) — 1 case
In Re: People v. Tippet, Joseph, 539 P.3d 547 (Colo. 2023).
— Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-3-102(1)(F) — 1 case
People v. Pendleton, 2015 COA 154 (Colo. Ct. App. 2015).
— Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-3-102(1)(a) — 94 cases
v. Jackson, 2020 CO 75 (Colo. 2020). “After all, under section 18-3-102(1)(a), C.R.S. (2019), a person commits first degree murder if, “[a]fter deliberation and with the intent to cause the death of a person other than himself, he causes the death of that person or of another person.”
People v. Bonilla-Barraza, 209 P.3d 1090 (Colo. 2009).
People v. Harlan, 8 P.3d 448 (Colo. 2000).
People v. Lowe, 660 P.2d 1261 (Colo. 1983). “Under the pertinent provisions of section 18-3-102, C.R.S.1973 (1978 Repl.Vol.”
People v. Lewis, 676 P.2d 682 (Colo. 1984).
— Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-3-102(1)(b) — 63 cases
Auman v. People, 109 P.3d 647 (Colo. 2005). “§ 18-3-102(1)(b), 6 C.R.S. (1999). Pursuant to the terms of this statute, it does not matter that the defendant had no intent to kill or that the defendant did not cause the killing.”
Doubleday v. People, 2016 CO 3 (Colo. 2016).
Abarca v. People No. 13SC750, Hill v. People No. 14SC3, Medrano-Bustamante v. People No. 14SC7, People v. Smoots, 2017 CO 15 (Colo. 2017).
People v. Raymer, 662 P.2d 1066 (Colo. 1983). “Section 18-3-102(1), C.R.S.1973 (1978 Repl.”
Waits v. People, 724 P.2d 1329 (Colo. 1986).
— Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-3-102(1)(d) — 44 cases
People v. Jefferson, 748 P.2d 1223 (Colo. 1988). “4, § 18-3-102, 1981 Colo.Sess. Laws 972, 973 (currently codified at § 18-3-102(1)(d), 8B C.”
v. Draper, 2021 COA 120 (Colo. Ct. App. 2021). “” § 18-3-102(1)(a). A person commits second degree murder when that “person knowingly causes the death of a person.”
v. Garcia, 2021 COA 80 (Colo. Ct. App. 2021). “See § 18-3-102(1)(d), C.R.S. 2020. 3 ¶8 Defense counsel tendered an additional instruction, which read, “‘Universal Malice’ is that depravity of the human heart which determines to take life upon slight or insufficient provocation, without knowing or caring who may be the victim.”
The PEOPLE of the State of Colorado v. Joshua Alan STRICKLER, 507 P.3d 1018 (Colo. Ct. App. 2022).
People v. Ramos, 708 P.2d 1347 (Colo. 1985).
— Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-3-102(1)(f) — 11 cases
Friend v. People, 2018 CO 90 (Colo. 2018). “(2018), prescribes more than one unit of prosecution and whether the prosecution presented sufficient evidence to establish that the defendant, Mark Alton Friend, committed more than one crime of child abuse and (2) whether child abuse resulting in death under sections…”
People v. Casias, 312 P.3d 208 (Colo. Ct. App. 2012).
People v. Phillips, 315 P.3d 136 (Colo. Ct. App. 2012).
People v. Pendleton, 2015 COA 154 (Colo. Ct. App. 2015).
Bloom v. People, 185 P.3d 797 (Colo. 2008).
— Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-3-102(2) — 11 cases
Auman v. People, 109 P.3d 647 (Colo. 2005). “§ 18-3-102(1)(b), 6 C.R.S. (1999). Pursuant to the terms of this statute, it does not matter that the defendant had no intent to kill or that the defendant did not cause the killing.”
People v. Moreland, 567 P.2d 355 (Colo. 1977).
People v. Cunningham, 570 P.2d 1086 (Colo. 1977).
The People of the State of Colorado v. Kenneth Alfonso Gallegos, 2025 CO 41 (Colo. 2025).
People v. Lage, 232 P.3d 138 (Colo. Ct. App. 2009).
— Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-3-102(2)(a) — 1 case
The People of the State of Colorado v. Kenneth Alfonso Gallegos, 2025 CO 41 (Colo. 2025).
— Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-3-102(2)(b) — 1 case
The People of the State of Colorado v. Kenneth Alfonso Gallegos, 2025 CO 41 (Colo. 2025).
— Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-3-102(2)(c) — 1 case
The People of the State of Colorado v. Kenneth Alfonso Gallegos, 2025 CO 41 (Colo. 2025).
— Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-3-102(2)(d) — 1 case
The People of the State of Colorado v. Kenneth Alfonso Gallegos, 2025 CO 41 (Colo. 2025).
— Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-3-102(2)(e) — 2 cases
People v. Lucas, 992 P.2d 619 (Colo. Ct. App. 1999).
The People of the State of Colorado v. Kenneth Alfonso Gallegos, 2025 CO 41 (Colo. 2025).
— Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-3-102(2)(f) — 2 cases
Auman v. People, 109 P.3d 647 (Colo. 2005). “§ 18-3-102(1)(b), 6 C.R.S. (1999). Pursuant to the terms of this statute, it does not matter that the defendant had no intent to kill or that the defendant did not cause the killing.”
The People of the State of Colorado v. Kenneth Alfonso Gallegos, 2025 CO 41 (Colo. 2025).
— Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-3-102(3) — 11 cases
People v. Lowe, 660 P.2d 1261 (Colo. 1983). “Under the pertinent provisions of section 18-3-102, C.R.S.1973 (1978 Repl.Vol.”
State v. Higgins, 592 S.W.2d 151 (Mo. 1979).
People v. Jefferson, 748 P.2d 1223 (Colo. 1988). “4, § 18-3-102, 1981 Colo.Sess. Laws 972, 973 (currently codified at § 18-3-102(1)(d), 8B C.”
People v. Al-Yousif, 206 P.3d 824 (Colo. Ct. App. 2006).
People v. Mershon, 874 P.2d 1025 (Colo. 1994).
— Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-3-102(a) — 2 cases
People v. Willner, 879 P.2d 19 (Colo. 1994).
Rodriguez v. Zavaras, 42 F. Supp. 2d 1059 (D. Colo. 1999).
— Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-3-102(l)(a) — 74 cases
People v. Glover, 893 P.2d 1311 (Colo. 1995). “Rather this court intended to give full effect to the jury’s finding that the evidence supported a conviction of first degree murder under both theories, felony murder and deliberate murder, and that those findings be merged into a single conviction of first *1316 degree murder…”
People v. Muckle, 107 P.3d 380 (Colo. 2005).
People v. Miller, 113 P.3d 743 (Colo. 2005). “§ 18-3-102(1). Accordingly, evidence of voluntary intoxication is admissible to counter the specific intent element of first-degree murder.”
People v. Bartowsheski, 661 P.2d 235 (Colo. 1983).
People v. Madson, 638 P.2d 18 (Colo. 1981).
— Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-3-102(l)(b) — 51 cases
Auman v. People, 109 P.3d 647 (Colo. 2005). “§ 18-3-102(1)(b), 6 C.R.S. (1999). Pursuant to the terms of this statute, it does not matter that the defendant had no intent to kill or that the defendant did not cause the killing.”
People v. Miller, 113 P.3d 743 (Colo. 2005). “§ 18-3-102(1). Accordingly, evidence of voluntary intoxication is admissible to counter the specific intent element of first-degree murder.”
People v. Bartowsheski, 661 P.2d 235 (Colo. 1983).
People v. Raymer, 662 P.2d 1066 (Colo. 1983). “Section 18-3-102(1), C.R.S.1973 (1978 Repl.”
People v. Lowe, 660 P.2d 1261 (Colo. 1983). “Under the pertinent provisions of section 18-3-102, C.R.S.1973 (1978 Repl.Vol.”
— Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-3-102(l)(d) — 24 cases
People v. Noble, 635 P.2d 203 (Colo. 1981).
Crespin v. People, 721 P.2d 688 (Colo. 1986).
People v. Curtis, 627 P.2d 734 (Colo. 1981).
People v. Ramos, 708 P.2d 1347 (Colo. 1985).
People v. Bowman, 669 P.2d 1369 (Colo. 1983). “at 1271 . Therefore, section 18-1-408(3) does not apply to the various theories of first degree murder.”
— Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-3-102(l)(f) — 1 case
People v. Martinez, 51 P.3d 1046 (Colo. Ct. App. 2002).
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