What to Do If You’re Arrested at a Colorado Ski Resort

Criminal Defense - Rodemer | Kane

Colorado is famous for its mountains, particularly when it comes to skiing. With so many world-class ski resorts, people from across the country and around the world come to Colorado to enjoy some time on the slopes. And while most people are focused on avoiding injury, the reality is that arrests are far more common than people realize. If you have been arrested at a Colorado ski resort, you are not alone. More importantly, there are criminal defense attorneys who can help you put your arrest behind you. 

Public Intoxication

Many skiers like to unwind at lunch or at the end of their day on the slopes with an alcoholic beverage or two. This can lead to an unfortunate situation where you suddenly find yourself drunk in public. 

The good news is that Colorado does not criminalize public intoxication, unlike most other states. However, it is important to understand that you can still be arrested while drunk if you are committing some other crime, including offenses that you may not even realize you are committing. 

Disorderly Conduct

One of the most common charges skiers can face as a result of being intoxicated is disorderly conduct. You can be charged with disorderly conduct for the following actions: 

  • Making an offensive utterance, gesture, or display in public
  • Making unreasonable noise in public
  • Fighting in public

Note that you do not need to be intoxicated to be charged with disorderly conduct. Disorderly conduct is a misdemeanor charge. If convicted, you could face up to 6 months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.00. 

Harassment

You can be charged with harassment by engaging in the following behavior:

  • Shouting obscenities at someone or making obscene gestures or suggestions
  • Making persistent, unwanted sexual advances toward someone
  • Trying to challenge, annoy, alarm, or intimidate someone
  • Loudly provoking or insulting someone

While also a misdemeanor charge, harassment is a more serious crime than disorderly conduct – a conviction could carry up to 364 days in jail if you are convicted. Again, you can be charged with harassment regardless of whether you are intoxicated. 

Theft of Service

Skiing has become steadily more expensive and, as a result, making skiers attempt to share ski passes. Unfortunately, skiers who do this do not realize that this is a crime in Colorado. Whether it is a day pass, a multi-day pass, or a season pass, these passes are non-transferable. Under Colorado law, both the person who used the pass and person to whom the pass belonged can be charged with a crime. If convicted, you could face a fine of up to $1,000.00 and up to 180 days in jail. 

Arrested at a Ski Resort? Contact a Criminal Defense Attorney at Rodemer | Kane Today

Given how much money the ski industry generates in Colorado, ski resorts and prosecutors take these offenses very seriously. You could be convicted even if you didn’t know or intend to commit a crime. To protect your rights and get a fair outcome, contact Rodemer | Kane by phone or email to schedule a free consultation. 

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