Effect of criminal drug conviction
C.R.S. § 13-21-808
in effect13-21-808. Effect of criminal drug conviction. (1) (a) A person against whom recovery is sought is estopped from denying participation in the marketing of illegal drugs if the person has a criminal conviction based on the same circumstances that are the basis for the claim for damages. Said conviction must be for other than mere possession of the specified illegal drug:
(I) That is a felony under the "Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970", 21 U.S.C. sec. 801, et seq.;
(II) Under section 18-18-405 or 18-18-406, C.R.S.; or
(III) That is a felony related to participation in the marketing of illegal drugs under the laws of another state.
(b) Such a conviction is also prima facie evidence of the person's participation in the marketing of illegal drugs during the two years preceding the date of an act giving rise to a conviction.
(2) The absence of a conviction of a person against whom recovery is sought does not bar an action against that person.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/olls/crs2024-title-13.docx#13-21-808Fetched: 10/6/2026