Senate Bill 14-163 Summary

• Clarifies Colorado's drug offense sentencing structure by defining four levels of drug felonies and two levels of drug misdemeanors as distinct categories separate from traditional felony and misdemeanor classes.

• Corrects internal statutory references related to Senate Bill 13-250 regarding level 4 drug felonies, making the correction retroactively effective to October 1, 2013.

• Establishes sentencing requirements for level 1 drug felonies with mandatory minimum 8-year incarceration (12 years with aggravating circumstances) and maximum 32 years, with restrictions on sentence suspension and fines in certain cases.

• Modifies preliminary hearing rights and jury trial procedures to apply the same standards to level 1 and 2 drug felonies as class 1-3 felonies, and expands certain sentencing enhancement and mitigation provisions.

• Updates definitions and penalties related to controlled substances including cathinones, methamphetamine, heroin, ketamine, and flunitrazepam across multiple statutes.