Colorado changes mandatory sentence for murder convictions

DENVER, Colo. (KRDO) -- Monday, Governor Jared Polis signed a new bill that changes the mandatory sentence for anyone convicted of murder.

Previously, felony murder carried a mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole under Colorado law.

Monday, that sentence was reduced to a new requirement of only 16 to 48 years behind bars.

Moving forward, Senate Bill 21-124, Changes To Felony Murder, will mean a shorter sentence if someone is accidentally killed during an adjacent crime, like a robbery or burglary.

Colorado lawmakers behind the bill say this will allow the justice system to provide individual sentencing on a case-by-case basis instead of a one-size-fits-all method.

However, these new guidelines will not be applied to felons currently serving life sentences.

This bill was first introduced in February.

Read more about SB21-124 here.