Colorado Revised Statutes

Colo. Rev. Stat. § 2-4-201 (2026)

Intentions in the enactment of statutes

✓ current as of July 2026
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(1) In enacting a statute, it is presumed that:

(a) Compliance with the constitutions of the state of Colorado and the United States is intended;

(b) The entire statute is intended to be effective;

(c) A just and reasonable result is intended;

(d) A result feasible of execution is intended;

(e) Public interest is favored over any private interest.

Source: L. 73: R&RE, p. 1423, § 1. C.R.S. 1963: § 135-1-201.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 372 cases (12 in the last 5 years), 1975–2026 · leading case: Yadon v. Southward, 64 P.3d 909 (Colo. Ct. App. 2002).
Yadon v. Southward, 64 P.3d 909 (Colo. Ct. App. 2002). · cites it 6× “" Section 2-4-201(1)(b), (c), C.R.S.2002. Consequently, a reviewing court must follow the statutory construction that best effectuates the intent of the General Assembly and the purposes of the legislative scheme.”
People v. Phillips, 652 P.2d 575 (Colo. 1982). · cites it 15× “Section 2-4-201(1)(b), C.R.S.1973 (1980 Repl.”
People v. Cooper, 27 P.3d 348 (Colo. 2001). · cites it 5× “§ 2-4-201(1)(b), 1 C.R.S. (2000); Martin, 27 P.”
Yarbro v. Hilton Hotels Corp., 655 P.2d 822 (Colo. 1982). · cites it 12× “2d 634 (1973); section 2-4-201, C.R.S.1973 (1980 Repl.Vol.”
Hall v. Walter, 969 P.2d 224 (Colo. 1998). · cites it 8× “2d 962, 964 (1979) (citing § 2-4-201(1)(a), C.R.S. (1973), now § 2-4-201(1)(a), 2 C.”
A.S. v. People, 312 P.3d 168 (Colo. 2013). · cites it 4× “2d 672, 674 (1965)); see also § 2-4-201(1)(b), C.R.S. (2013) (directing courts to presume the General Assembly intended "[the entire statute .”
Jefferson Cnty. Bd. of Equalization v. Gerganoff, 241 P.3d 932 (Colo. 2010). · cites it 4× “" § 2-4-201(1)(e), C.R.S. (2010). C. Interpretation of § 39-8-109(1) In this case, the court of appeals applied plain language review in concluding that subsection 109(1) mandates a refund of costs.”
Samuel Perez v. By the Rockies, LLC, & Duane Layton, 2023 COA 109 (Colo. Ct. App. 2023). · cites it 2× “” § 2-4-201(1)(c), C.R.S. 2023; see also § 2-4-203, C.”
Simon v. Coppola, 876 P.2d 10 (Colo. Ct. App. 1994). · cites it 4× “See §§ 2-4-201, C.R.S. (1980 Repl.Vol.1B) and 2-4-203.”
People v. Pahlavan, 83 P.3d 1138 (Colo. Ct. App. 2003). · cites it 3× “Section 2-4-201, C.R.S.2002; People v. Terry, 791 P.”
People v. Schwartz, 678 P.2d 1000 (Colo. 1984). · cites it 6× “It is inconceivable that the legislature could have intended that knowing conduct, that "may endanger a child's life or health," resulting in the death of a child be classified as a class 3 misdemeanor, but if the conduct was reckless or criminally negligent, both lesser degrees…”
People v. Alderman, 720 P.2d 1000 (Colo. Ct. App. 1986). · cites it 6× “Section 2-4-201(1)(c), C.R.S. (1980 Repl.”
— Colo. Rev. Stat. § 2-4-201(1) — 13 cases
In re People v. Jones, 2015 CO 20 (Colo. 2015).
People v. Lucero, 2016 COA 105 (Colo. Ct. App. 2016).
People v. Carrillo, 297 P.3d 1028 (Colo. Ct. App. 2013).
People v. Wilhite, 817 P.2d 1017 (Colo. 1991).
Bernstein v. Rosenthall, 671 P.2d 979 (Colo. Ct. App. 1983).
— Colo. Rev. Stat. § 2-4-201(1)(a) — 15 cases
Hall v. Walter, 969 P.2d 224 (Colo. 1998). “2d 962, 964 (1979) (citing § 2-4-201(1)(a), C.R.S. (1973), now § 2-4-201(1)(a), 2 C.”
Juhl v. People, 172 P.3d 896 (Colo. 2007).
People v. Chavez, 621 P.2d 1362 (Colo. 1981).
In Re Adoption of Ca, 137 P.3d 318 (Colo. 2006).
Dep't of Transp. v. Stapleton, 97 P.3d 938 (Colo. 2004).
— Colo. Rev. Stat. § 2-4-201(1)(b) — 54 cases
People v. Cooper, 27 P.3d 348 (Colo. 2001). “§ 2-4-201(1)(b), 1 C.R.S. (2000); Martin, 27 P.”
A.S. v. People, 312 P.3d 168 (Colo. 2013). “2d 672, 674 (1965)); see also § 2-4-201(1)(b), C.R.S. (2013) (directing courts to presume the General Assembly intended "[the entire statute .”
Yadon v. Southward, 64 P.3d 909 (Colo. Ct. App. 2002). “" Section 2-4-201(1)(b), (c), C.R.S.2002. Consequently, a reviewing court must follow the statutory construction that best effectuates the intent of the General Assembly and the purposes of the legislative scheme.”
Farmers Grp., Inc. v. Williams, 805 P.2d 419 (Colo. 1991).
— Colo. Rev. Stat. § 2-4-201(1)(c) — 97 cases
Samuel Perez v. By the Rockies, LLC, & Duane Layton, 2023 COA 109 (Colo. Ct. App. 2023). “” § 2-4-201(1)(c), C.R.S. 2023; see also § 2-4-203, C.”
People v. Schwartz, 678 P.2d 1000 (Colo. 1984). “It is inconceivable that the legislature could have intended that knowing conduct, that "may endanger a child's life or health," resulting in the death of a child be classified as a class 3 misdemeanor, but if the conduct was reckless or criminally negligent, both lesser degrees…”
v. Weeks, 2020 COA 44 (Colo. Ct. App. 2020).
Kazadi v. People, 291 P.3d 16 (Colo. 2012).
Tompkins v. DeLeon, 595 P.2d 242 (Colo. 1979).
— Colo. Rev. Stat. § 2-4-201(1)(c)(d) — 2 cases
Hammond v. Pub. Employees' Ret. Ass'n of Colorado, 219 P.3d 426 (Colo. Ct. App. 2009).
Hammond v. Pera of Colorado, 219 P.3d 426 (Colo. Ct. App. 2009).
— Colo. Rev. Stat. § 2-4-201(1)(d) — 8 cases
People v. Phillips, 652 P.2d 575 (Colo. 1982). “Section 2-4-201(1)(b), C.R.S.1973 (1980 Repl.”
People v. Russo, 713 P.2d 356 (Colo. 1986).
Darien v. Town of Marble, 159 P.3d 761 (Colo. Ct. App. 2006).
People ex rel. J.A.C., 25 P.3d 1269 (Colo. Ct. App. 2001).
Rowland v. Dep't of Revenue, 2016 COA 40 (Colo. Ct. App. 2016).
— Colo. Rev. Stat. § 2-4-201(1)(e) — 6 cases
Jefferson Cnty. Bd. of Equalization v. Gerganoff, 241 P.3d 932 (Colo. 2010). “" § 2-4-201(1)(e), C.R.S. (2010). C. Interpretation of § 39-8-109(1) In this case, the court of appeals applied plain language review in concluding that subsection 109(1) mandates a refund of costs.”
Woodsmall v. Reg'l Transp. Dist., 800 P.2d 63 (Colo. 1990).
Eckhardt v. Vill. Inn (Vicorp), 826 P.2d 855 (Colo. 1992).
v. Centura Health Corp., 2020 COA 38 (Colo. Ct. App. 2020).
— Colo. Rev. Stat. § 2-4-201(a) — 2 cases
People v. Hickman, 988 P.2d 628 (Colo. 1999).
Denver Publ'g Co. v. City of Aurora, 896 P.2d 306 (Colo. 1995).
— Colo. Rev. Stat. § 2-4-201(b) — 5 cases
BP Am. Prod. Co. v. Patterson, 185 P.3d 811 (Colo. 2008).
People ex rel. D. L. E., 645 P.2d 271 (Colo. 1982).
People in Interest of DLE, 645 P.2d 271 (Colo. 1982).
— Colo. Rev. Stat. § 2-4-201(c) — 2 cases
Rodriguez v. Schutt, 914 P.2d 921 (Colo. 1996).
Subsequent Injury Fund v. Trevethan, 809 P.2d 1098 (Colo. Ct. App. 1991).
— Colo. Rev. Stat. § 2-4-201(l)(a) — 18 cases
People v. Frantz, 114 P.3d 34 (Colo. Ct. App. 2005).
Dep't of Transp. v. Stapleton, 97 P.3d 938 (Colo. 2004).
In Matter of Death of Kohler v. Indus. Comm'n, 671 P.2d 1002 (Colo. Ct. App. 1983).
Vega v. People, 893 P.2d 107 (Colo. 1995).
— Colo. Rev. Stat. § 2-4-201(l)(b) — 48 cases
Yadon v. Southward, 64 P.3d 909 (Colo. Ct. App. 2002). “" Section 2-4-201(1)(b), (c), C.R.S.2002. Consequently, a reviewing court must follow the statutory construction that best effectuates the intent of the General Assembly and the purposes of the legislative scheme.”
People v. Luther, 58 P.3d 1013 (Colo. 2002).
Farmers Grp., Inc. v. Williams, 805 P.2d 419 (Colo. 1991).
People v. Phillips, 652 P.2d 575 (Colo. 1982). “Section 2-4-201(1)(b), C.R.S.1973 (1980 Repl.”
— Colo. Rev. Stat. § 2-4-201(l)(c) — 68 cases
People v. Alderman, 720 P.2d 1000 (Colo. Ct. App. 1986). “Section 2-4-201(1)(c), C.R.S. (1980 Repl.”
Yarbro v. Hilton Hotels Corp., 655 P.2d 822 (Colo. 1982). “2d 634 (1973); section 2-4-201, C.R.S.1973 (1980 Repl.Vol.”
People v. Phillips, 652 P.2d 575 (Colo. 1982). “Section 2-4-201(1)(b), C.R.S.1973 (1980 Repl.”
Stephen v. City & Cnty. of Denver, 659 P.2d 666 (Colo. 1983).
People v. Hampton, 857 P.2d 441 (Colo. Ct. App. 1993).
— Colo. Rev. Stat. § 2-4-201(l)(d) — 3 cases
People v. Russo, 713 P.2d 356 (Colo. 1986).
Lagae v. Lackner, 996 P.2d 1281 (Colo. 2000).
Mahaffey v. Barnhill, 855 P.2d 847 (Colo. 1993).
— Colo. Rev. Stat. § 2-4-201(l)(e) — 7 cases
Yadon v. Southward, 64 P.3d 909 (Colo. Ct. App. 2002). “" Section 2-4-201(1)(b), (c), C.R.S.2002. Consequently, a reviewing court must follow the statutory construction that best effectuates the intent of the General Assembly and the purposes of the legislative scheme.”
Woodsmall v. Reg'l Transp. Dist., 800 P.2d 63 (Colo. 1990).
People v. Desantiago, 409 P.3d 389 (Colo. Ct. App. 2014).
O.R.L. v. Smith, 996 P.2d 788 (Colo. Ct. App. 2000).
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