2016 Colorado Revised Statutes
Title 16 - Criminal Proceedings
Code of Criminal Procedure
Article 13 - Special Proceedings
Part 5 - Colorado Contraband Forfeiture Act
§ 16-13-501.5. Legislative declaration

(1) It is the intent of the general assembly that proceedings under this part 5 be remedial in nature and designed to benefit the public good by appropriating contraband property for use by law enforcement.

(2) It is also the policy of the general assembly that asset forfeiture pursuant to this part 5 shall be carried out pursuant to the following:

(a) Generation of revenue shall not be the primary purpose of asset forfeiture.

(b) No prosecutor's or law enforcement officer's employment or level of salary shall depend upon the frequency of seizures or forfeitures which such person achieves.

(c) Each seizing agency shall have policies and procedures for the expeditious release of seized property which is not subject to forfeiture pursuant to this part 5, when such release is appropriate.

(d) Each seizing agency retaining forfeited property for official law enforcement use shall ensure that the property is subject to controls consistent with controls which are applicable to property acquired through the normal appropriations process.

(e) Each seizing agency which receives forfeiture proceeds shall conform with reporting, audit, and disposition procedures enumerated in this article.

(f) Each seizing agency shall prohibit its employees from purchasing forfeited property.