Wolf Law is proud to serve Denver and surrounding communities, including Aurora, Lakewood, and the broader Denver Metro area. A felony charge in Colorado is the most serious type of criminal accusation a person can face under state law. The consequences of a conviction — including lengthy prison sentences, permanent loss of civil rights, and a criminal record that affects employment, housing, and family life for years to come — demand an immediate and serious legal response. If you have been charged with a felony in Colorado, you need an excellent criminal defense attorney with deep knowledge of Colorado law on your side from the very first day.
Wolf Law represents individuals across Colorado with a criminal defense practice focused on preparation, strategy, and strong legal advocacy. Attorneys and Partners Jeff Wolf and Colleen Kelley lead the firm’s defense team, each bringing decades of trial experience, sharp legal analysis, and a commitment to protecting their clients’ rights at every stage. Both attorneys are known for their national media presence, including commentary on Court TV and Law & Crime, and both bring that same level of analytical rigor and courtroom preparation to every felony defense case they handle in Colorado. Together, they reflect Wolf Law’s philosophy that excellent criminal defense is built on preparation, precision, and a genuine commitment to the people they represent.
Whether you are facing assault charges, drug allegations, theft, a weapons offense, or any other felony under Colorado law, our attorneys are prepared to evaluate your case, challenge the prosecution’s evidence, and fight for the best possible outcome at every stage.
What Is a Felony Under Colorado Law?
Colorado law divides criminal offenses into petty offenses, misdemeanors, and felonies. A felony is the most serious category and is reserved for conduct the state treats as especially harmful or dangerous. Felonies are prosecuted in district court, carry the possibility of state prison rather than county jail time, and result in a permanent criminal record with lasting collateral consequences.
It is a common misconception that felonies are exclusively federal charges. That is not the case. Colorado has its own felony classifications under state law, and the vast majority of felony prosecutions in Denver, Aurora, and Lakewood are state-level cases handled in Colorado district courts. Federal felony charges exist separately and arise from a different set of circumstances.
What Are Colorado’s Felony Classes and Penalties?
Colorado divides felonies into six classes, each with a presumptive sentencing range. These ranges represent the starting point for sentencing — courts may impose penalties outside this range in aggravated cases. The six classes are:
- Class 6 Felony: 12 to 18 months in prison, fines of $1,000 to $100,000, and 1 year of parole.
- Class 5 Felony: 1 to 3 years in prison, fines of $1,000 to $100,000, and 2 years of parole.
- Class 4 Felony: 2 to 6 years in prison, fines of $2,000 to $500,000, and 3 years of parole.
- Class 3 Felony: 4 to 12 years in prison, fines of $3,000 to $750,000, and 5 years of parole.
- Class 2 Felony: 8 to 24 years in prison, fines of $5,000 to $1,000,000, and 5 years of parole.
- Class 1 Felony: Life imprisonment. Reserved for the most serious offenses, most commonly first-degree murder.
Colorado also maintains a separate drug felony classification system with four classes — DF1 through DF4. Drug felony penalties are governed by a distinct framework that reflects the weight of the substance involved and the nature of the conduct. Our attorneys evaluate which classification applies to every drug charge and challenge any elevation that is not supported by the facts.
When Penalties Get Worse: Aggravating Factors and Extraordinary Risk Crimes
Colorado allows courts to impose sentences above the presumptive range when certain aggravating factors are present. An extraordinary risk crime designation applies to charges such as aggravated robbery, certain forms of child abuse, and specific drug-related or violent offenses. When a felony is charged as an extraordinary risk crime, the upper end of the presumptive sentencing range expands.
Additional aggravating factors that can increase a sentence include prior felony convictions, violations of parole, use of a deadly weapon during the offense, and commission of certain sex crimes. The presence of these factors gives prosecutors significant leverage in plea negotiations and sentencing hearings. Our attorneys address aggravating factor allegations directly and present every available mitigating circumstance on behalf of our clients.
What Rights Do You Lose After a Felony Conviction in Colorado?
A felony conviction in Colorado triggers the loss of several fundamental rights that many people do not realize are at stake until it is too late:
- The right to possess firearms: A felony conviction prohibits the defendant from legally possessing firearms under both Colorado and federal law.
- The right to vote while incarcerated: Felony defendants lose the right to vote during any period of incarceration in Colorado.
- Certain parental rights: Felony convictions — particularly those involving domestic violence or crimes against children — can affect custody and parental rights proceedings.
- Employment and licensing: Many professions require background checks, and a felony conviction can bar individuals from holding professional licenses, obtaining certain types of employment, or accessing government assistance programs.
Charged with a felony in Denver, Aurora, or Lakewood? Call Wolf Law at 720.479.8574 right now for a free consultation. The earlier we are involved, the more options we have.
Why You Need a Felony Defense Attorney From the Start
Many defendants make the mistake of waiting too long to retain legal counsel in felony cases. The early stages of a criminal case — before charges are formally filed, during arraignment, at the bond hearing, and during the discovery period — are often where the most important defense work happens. Evidence can be challenged, witnesses can be interviewed while memories are fresh, and constitutional violations that would justify suppression of evidence can be identified.
In Colorado, everyone charged with a crime is entitled to bond, with the exception of first-degree murder. The issue is not whether you can qualify for release — it is whether you are able to meet the bond conditions the court sets. Our attorneys appear at bond hearings and argue for conditions that are fair and that allow clients to remain with their families while their cases proceed.
How to Know When You Should Contact a Felony Defense Lawyer
The answer is always immediately. If you have been arrested, if law enforcement has contacted you as a suspect, or if you have reason to believe you are under investigation for a felony in Colorado, the time to contact a defense attorney is now — not after your first court appearance, not after a preliminary hearing, and not after you have spoken to detectives without counsel.
Jeff Wolf and Colleen Kelley are both excellent trial attorneys who have spent decades defending clients against felony charges throughout Colorado’s district courts, including Denver County Court, the Jefferson County Courthouse in Lakewood, and courts throughout the Denver Metro area. Both have appeared on national platforms including Law & Crime and Court TV, and both bring the same thorough preparation and strategic approach to every felony defense case they handle.
Common Felony Charges Our Attorneys Defend in Colorado
- Assault and violent crimes: Colorado assault charges range from petty offenses to Class 3 felonies depending on the degree and circumstances. Our attorneys defend clients against all levels of assault and violent crime allegations throughout the Denver Metro area.
- Domestic violence felonies: When a domestic violence incident involves serious bodily injury, a weapon, or strangulation, felony charges are common. Our attorneys are deeply familiar with how Colorado prosecutes these cases and the defenses available.
- Drug felonies: Colorado’s drug felony classification system covers possession, distribution, and manufacturing offenses for controlled substances. Our attorneys evaluate every element of drug charges and challenge unlawful searches and other constitutional violations.
- Theft felonies: Theft charges become felonies when the value of the property or services taken exceeds certain thresholds. Our attorneys challenge both the valuation evidence and the intent elements of theft charges.
- Weapons offenses: Felony weapons charges in Colorado arise from unlawful possession, use of a weapon in a crime, and other circumstances. Our attorneys evaluate the full factual and legal basis of every weapons allegation.
Contact Wolf Law Today to Defend Your Felony Case
A felony charge is one of the most serious situations a person can face in Colorado. Wolf Law offers free consultations, and our attorneys will evaluate your case, explain exactly what you are facing, and build a defense strategy designed to protect your freedom and your future. Call 720.479.8574 today.
Wolf Law represents clients throughout Colorado with excellent criminal defense. From Denver and Aurora to Lakewood and the communities along the I-25 corridor, our legal team is prepared to fight for you at every stage of your felony case. Call Wolf Law at 720.479.8574 for your free consultation.
Wolf Law | 720.479.8574 | Free Consultation | Colorado Criminal Defense
