Colorado Supreme Court Model Criminal Jury Instructions Committee releases annual update

Feb. 26, 2026 - Denver, CO – The Colorado Supreme Court Model Criminal Jury Instructions Committee has released its annual update to Colorado’s model jury instructions for use in criminal trials.

The model jury instructions may be found online at https://www.coloradojudicial.gov/model-criminal-jury-instructions-committee. They include instructions concerning all offenses defined in Title 18 of the Colorado Revised Statutes (the Criminal Code), along with instructions addressing select offenses defined in other titles of the Colorado Revised Statutes (including Title 42, Vehicles and Traffic). 

This annual update incorporates 2025 legislation, as well as caselaw published since the release of the prior edition. Note that in light of new legislation, this edition includes a new section, Chapter 1.3‑8, that contains model jury instructions when defendants are charged as habitual criminals.

Users may download Word and PDF versions of the instructions, both of which feature hyperlink capabilities for ease of use. For any questions regarding the instructions, users are encouraged to contact the Committee at mcjic@judicial.state.co.us.

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