Legally Reviewed by Shazam Kianpour on August 12, 2026
People who face drug charges in Colorado might believe that if they are convicted they will serve their sentence and that will be the only part of their conviction. However, they might not realize that they might be restricted in their voting rights.
Across the country, people who are convicted of various crimes might find that they are unable to vote in elections. This takes away a fundamental right that many people associate with a democracy. While these laws vary by state, people in some states might find that they are unable to vote while on probation or if they have been a former inmate at all.
If former inmates were allowed to vote in all states, approximately 4.3 million people would gain voting rights that they have lost. A report on the disenfranchisement of people who are convicted of crimes found that the number of people imprisoned quadrupled after increased punishment for drug crimes that was legislated in the 1970s.
Although prison populations decreased in the year 2010, a large number of Americans will be forever barred from voting, unless laws are changed. Despite drug crimes having nothing to do with fraud or any activity that could result in tampered elections, many people continue to experience disenfranchisement.
People often don’t understand that when they are convicted of a crime, they might have consequences that extend far beyond the sentence that they serve. On top of the stigma they might face for a crime, they might also be unable to vote for their representatives in government.
Source: MSNBC, “Presumed guilty: Ex-felons face barriers to voting rights,” Ari Melber, Nov. 4, 2013
Colorado’s Voting Rights Law Has Changed Since This Report
Colorado law on this subject has changed significantly since this report was published. Under House Bill 19-1266, effective August 1, 2019, Colorado restored voting rights to people serving a sentence of parole. Colorado law now considers a person on parole to have completed their term of imprisonment for purposes of the state’s disenfranchisement provisions, meaning parolees can register and vote in Colorado elections. People serving time in prison still cannot vote while incarcerated, but the loss of voting rights described in the 2013 report no longer applies to Colorado parolees.
People on probation for a Colorado offense, who were never sentenced to prison, have generally retained the right to vote in Colorado throughout this period.
How a Colorado Drug Conviction Can Follow You
Beyond voting rights, a drug conviction in Colorado can affect employment, housing applications, professional licensing, and immigration status. The severity of these collateral consequences depends heavily on whether the charge is a petty offense, misdemeanor, or felony, and whether it involves simple possession, distribution, or manufacturing. Colorado drug statutes cover a wide range of conduct, from marijuana-related charges to methamphetamine and cocaine offenses, each carrying different classifications and penalties.
Colorado also allows many people with drug convictions to petition for record sealing or expungement once statutory waiting periods have passed, which can reduce the long-term impact a conviction has on employment and housing applications.
Frequently Asked Questions About Colorado Drug Charges and Civil Rights
Can people on parole vote in Colorado?
Yes. Since House Bill 19-1266 took effect on August 1, 2019, people serving a sentence of parole in Colorado can register to vote and cast a ballot. This changed prior Colorado law, under which parolees could pre-register but could not actually vote.
Can people on probation vote in Colorado?
Yes. People sentenced to probation for a Colorado offense, rather than a term of incarceration, generally retain their right to vote throughout their probation period under Colorado law.
What is disenfranchisement?
Disenfranchisement refers to the loss of the right to vote, often as a result of a felony conviction. States vary widely in how long disenfranchisement lasts and whether it applies during incarceration only, or also during parole and probation.
Can a Colorado drug conviction be sealed or expunged?
Many Colorado drug convictions become eligible for record sealing after a statutory waiting period, which varies based on the offense level. Certain more serious drug felonies have longer waiting periods or may not qualify, so it is worth having a case reviewed individually.
Does every drug charge in Colorado carry the same consequences?
No. Colorado classifies drug offenses differently based on the substance involved, the quantity, and whether the conduct involved possession, distribution, or manufacturing. A petty offense carries very different consequences than a felony distribution charge.
Whether you are facing a Colorado drug charge, want to understand your options for record sealing, or have questions about how a pending case could affect your rights, Shazam Kianpour & Associates, P.C. can review the details of your situation. Contact our office to discuss your case.
About the Attorney
Founder, Shazam Kianpour & Associates, P.C.
Shazam Kianpour is a Denver criminal defense attorney who has handled thousands of criminal and traffic cases across Colorado, including drug charges, expungement petitions, and record sealing matters. He previously served as a Colorado State Public Defender and is a member of the Colorado Bar Association and the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar.
Written by
Shazam KianpourDenver Criminal Defense Attorney & Founder, Shazam Kianpour & Associates, P.C. — Over 10,000 criminal and traffic cases handled across Colorado.