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

Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-5-101 (2026)

Definitions

✓ current as of July 2026
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As used in sections 18-5-101 to 18-5-110, unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) "Complete written instrument" means one which purports to be a genuine written instrument fully drawn with respect to every essential feature thereof.

(1.5) "Document-making implement" means any implement or impression, including, but not limited to, a template or a computerized template or form, specially designed or primarily used for making identification documents, false identification documents, or another document-making implement. (2) To "falsely alter" a written instrument means to change a written instrument without the authority of anyone entitled to grant such authority, whether it be in complete or incomplete form, by means of erasure, obliteration, deletion, insertion of new matter, transposition of matter, or any other means, so that such instrument in its thus altered form falsely appears or purports to be in all respects an authentic creation of or fully authorized by its ostensible maker. (3) To "falsely complete" a written instrument means: (a) To transform an incomplete written instrument into a complete one by adding, inserting, or changing matter without the authority of anyone entitled to grant that authority, so that the complete written instrument falsely appears or purports to be in all respects an authentic creation of or fully authorized by its ostensible maker; or (b) To transform an incomplete written instrument into a complete one by adding or inserting materially false information or adding or inserting a materially false statement. A materially false statement is a false assertion that affects the action, conduct, or decision of the person who receives or is intended to receive the asserted information in a manner that directly or indirectly benefits the person making the assertion. (4) To "falsely make" a written instrument means to make or draw a written instrument, whether complete or incomplete, which purports to be an authentic creation of its ostensible maker, but which is not, either because the ostensible maker is fictitious or because, if real, he did not authorize the making or the drawing thereof.

(5) "Forged instrument" means a written instrument which has been falsely made, completed, or altered.

(6) "Government" means the United States, any state, county, municipality, or other political unit, any department, agency, or subdivision of any of the foregoing, or any corporation or other entity established by law to carry out governmental functions.

(6.5) "Identification document" means a document made or issued by or under the authority of the United States government, a state, political subdivision of a state, a foreign government, political subdivision of a foreign government, an international governmental, or an international quasi-governmental organization which, when completed with information concerning a particular individual, is of a type intended or commonly accepted for the purpose of identification of individuals.

(7) "Incomplete written instrument" means one which contains some matter by way of content or authentication but which requires additional matter in order to render it a complete written instrument.

(7.5) "Produce" includes alter, authenticate, or assemble.

(8) "Utter" means to transfer, pass, or deliver, or attempt or cause to be transferred, passed, or delivered, to another person any written instrument, article, or thing.

(9) "Written instrument" means any paper, document, or other instrument containing written or printed matter or the equivalent thereof, used for purposes of reciting, embodying, conveying, or recording information, and any money, credit card, token, stamp, seal, badge, or trademark or any evidence or symbol of value, right, privilege, or identification, which is capable of being used to the advantage or disadvantage of some person.

Source: L. 71: R&RE, p. 433, § 1. C.R.S. 1963: § 40-5-101. L. 94: (3) amended, p. 1718, § 12, effective July 1. L. 2000: (1.5), (6.5), and (7.5) added, p. 646, § 2, effective July 1. L. 2005: (3)(b) amended, p. 1499, § 3, effective July 1.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 18 cases (4 in the last 5 years), 1980–2026 · leading case: v. Vidauri, 2019 COA 140 (Colo. Ct. App. 2019).
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v. Vidauri, 2019 COA 140 (Colo. Ct. App. 2019). · cites it 5× “” § 18-5-101(3)(b), C.R.S. 2018. And the jury may infer intent when a defendant passes an instrument the defendant knows to be false.”
People v. Kovacs, 284 P.3d 186 (Colo. Ct. App. 2012). · cites it 40× “A complete written instrument was (and remains) "one which purports to be a genuine written instrument fully drawn with respect to every essential feature thereof.”
v. Curtis, 2021 COA 103 (Colo. Ct. App. 2021). · cites it 4× “” See § 18-5-101(3), C.R.S. 2020. 14 (Defraud means “to take or withhold from (one) some possession, right, or interest by calculated misstatement or perversion of truth, trickery, or other deception.”
People v. Carlson, 72 P.3d 411 (Colo. Ct. App. 2003). · cites it 3× “See § 18-5-101, et seq., C.R.S.2002 (offenses involving fraud).”
People v. Cunefare, 102 P.3d 302 (Colo. 2004). · cites it 6× “Specifically, section 18-5-101(9), C.R.S. (2004), defines written instrument in part as "any paper, document, or other instrument containing written or printed matter or the equivalent thereof, used for purposes of reciting, employing, conveying, or recording information.”
People v. Tucker, 232 P.3d 194 (Colo. Ct. App. 2009). · cites it 4× “” § 18-5-101(4), C.R.S.2009 (emphasis added).”
People v. Rubanowitz, 688 P.2d 231 (Colo. 1984). · cites it 3× “(emphasis added) “Utter” and “written instrument” are defined in section 18-5-101, 8 C.R.S. (1978), as follows: (8) “Utter” means to transfer, pass, or deliver, or attempt or cause to be transferred, passed, or delivered, to another person any written instrument, article, or…”
People v. Avila, 770 P.2d 1330 (Colo. Ct. App. 1988). · cites it 9× “Likewise, under § 18-5-101, et seq., C.R.S. (1986 Repl. Vol.”
People v. Miralda, 981 P.2d 676 (Colo. Ct. App. 1999). · cites it 3× “See § 18-5-101(8), C.R.S.1998; Black’s Law Dictionary 1716 (6th Ed.”
People v. Randell, 297 P.3d 989 (Colo. Ct. App. 2012). “See § 18-5-101(2), (4), C.R.S8.2011 (defining "falsely alter" as "to change a written instrument without the authority of anyone entitled to grant such authority .”
Suncor Energy (USA), Inc. v. Aspen Petroleum Prods., Inc., 178 P.3d 1263 (Colo. Ct. App. 2008). · cites it 2× “2004); see §18-5-101(8), C.R.S.2007 (“utter” means to transfer, pass, or deliver).”
Bailey v. People, 617 P.2d 549 (Colo. 1980). · cites it 3× “4 See also the definition of “government” in the forgery statute; section 18-5-101(6), C.R.S. 1973 (1978 Repl.”
Show all 18 citing cases →
— Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-5-101(1) — 1 case
People v. Kovacs, 284 P.3d 186 (Colo. Ct. App. 2012). “A complete written instrument was (and remains) "one which purports to be a genuine written instrument fully drawn with respect to every essential feature thereof.”
— Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-5-101(2) — 2 cases
People v. Avila, 770 P.2d 1330 (Colo. Ct. App. 1988). “Likewise, under § 18-5-101, et seq., C.R.S. (1986 Repl. Vol.”
People v. Randell, 297 P.3d 989 (Colo. Ct. App. 2012). “See § 18-5-101(2), (4), C.R.S8.2011 (defining "falsely alter" as "to change a written instrument without the authority of anyone entitled to grant such authority .”
— Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-5-101(3) — 1 case
v. Curtis, 2021 COA 103 (Colo. Ct. App. 2021). “” See § 18-5-101(3), C.R.S. 2020. 14 (Defraud means “to take or withhold from (one) some possession, right, or interest by calculated misstatement or perversion of truth, trickery, or other deception.”
— Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-5-101(3)(a) — 1 case
v. Curtis, 2021 COA 103 (Colo. Ct. App. 2021). “” See § 18-5-101(3), C.R.S. 2020. 14 (Defraud means “to take or withhold from (one) some possession, right, or interest by calculated misstatement or perversion of truth, trickery, or other deception.”
— Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-5-101(3)(b) — 2 cases
v. Vidauri, 2019 COA 140 (Colo. Ct. App. 2019). “” § 18-5-101(3)(b), C.R.S. 2018. And the jury may infer intent when a defendant passes an instrument the defendant knows to be false.”
People v. Kovacs, 284 P.3d 186 (Colo. Ct. App. 2012). “A complete written instrument was (and remains) "one which purports to be a genuine written instrument fully drawn with respect to every essential feature thereof.”
— Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-5-101(4) — 2 cases
People v. Tucker, 232 P.3d 194 (Colo. Ct. App. 2009). “” § 18-5-101(4), C.R.S.2009 (emphasis added).”
People v. Gray, 710 P.2d 1149 (Colo. Ct. App. 1985).
— Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-5-101(5) — 1 case
People v. Kovacs, 284 P.3d 186 (Colo. Ct. App. 2012). “A complete written instrument was (and remains) "one which purports to be a genuine written instrument fully drawn with respect to every essential feature thereof.”
— Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-5-101(6) — 1 case
Bailey v. People, 617 P.2d 549 (Colo. 1980). “4 See also the definition of “government” in the forgery statute; section 18-5-101(6), C.R.S. 1973 (1978 Repl.”
— Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-5-101(7) — 1 case
People v. Kovacs, 284 P.3d 186 (Colo. Ct. App. 2012). “A complete written instrument was (and remains) "one which purports to be a genuine written instrument fully drawn with respect to every essential feature thereof.”
— Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-5-101(8) — 5 cases
People v. Kovacs, 284 P.3d 186 (Colo. Ct. App. 2012). “A complete written instrument was (and remains) "one which purports to be a genuine written instrument fully drawn with respect to every essential feature thereof.”
People v. Miralda, 981 P.2d 676 (Colo. Ct. App. 1999). “See § 18-5-101(8), C.R.S.1998; Black’s Law Dictionary 1716 (6th Ed.”
Suncor Energy (USA), Inc. v. Aspen Petroleum Prods., Inc., 178 P.3d 1263 (Colo. Ct. App. 2008). “2004); see §18-5-101(8), C.R.S.2007 (“utter” means to transfer, pass, or deliver).”
People v. Barringer, 61 P.3d 495 (Colo. 2001).
Peo v. Lopez (Colo. Ct. App. 2025).
— Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-5-101(8)(a) — 1 case
People v. Kovacs, 284 P.3d 186 (Colo. Ct. App. 2012). “A complete written instrument was (and remains) "one which purports to be a genuine written instrument fully drawn with respect to every essential feature thereof.”
— Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-5-101(8)(b) — 1 case
People v. Kovacs, 284 P.3d 186 (Colo. Ct. App. 2012). “A complete written instrument was (and remains) "one which purports to be a genuine written instrument fully drawn with respect to every essential feature thereof.”
— Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-5-101(9) — 5 cases
People v. Cunefare, 102 P.3d 302 (Colo. 2004). “Specifically, section 18-5-101(9), C.R.S. (2004), defines written instrument in part as "any paper, document, or other instrument containing written or printed matter or the equivalent thereof, used for purposes of reciting, employing, conveying, or recording information.”
People v. Tucker, 232 P.3d 194 (Colo. Ct. App. 2009). “” § 18-5-101(4), C.R.S.2009 (emphasis added).”
People v. Avila, 770 P.2d 1330 (Colo. Ct. App. 1988). “Likewise, under § 18-5-101, et seq., C.R.S. (1986 Repl. Vol.”
People v. Schmidt (Colo. Ct. App. 2026).
Peo v. Lopez (Colo. Ct. App. 2025).
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