Colorado Aggravating Factors For Capital Punishment

(1)The murder was especially heinous, atrocious, cruel, or depraved (or involved torture)

(2) The defendant knowingly created a grave risk of death for one or more persons in addition to the victim of the offense

(3) The defendant killed the victim while lying in wait

(4) The murder was committed for pecuniary gain or pursuant to an agreement that the defendant would receive something of value

(5)The defendant caused or directed another to commit murder, or the defendant procured the commission of the offense by payment, promise of payment, or anything of pecuniary value

(6) The murder was committed to avoid or prevent arrest, to effect an escape, or to conceal the commission of a crime

(7) The defendant has been convicted of, or committed, a prior murder, a felony involving violence, or other serious felony

(8)The capital offense was committed by a person who is incarcerated, has escaped, is on probation, is in jail, or is under a sentence of imprisonment

(9) The victim was a government employee, including peace officers, police officers, federal agents, firefighters, judges, jurors, defense attorneys, and prosecutors, in the course of his or her duties

(10) The victim was an elected or appointed official or former official of the federal government, or local or state government, and the killing intentionally prevented the victim’s official duties

(11)The murder was committed against a person held as a shield, as a hostage, or for ransom

(12)The defendant used chemical, biological, or radiological weapons and/or the person intentionally killed more than one person in one criminal episode

(13)The victim was a pregnant woman and the defendant intentionally killed the victim, knowing she was pregnant

(14)The defendant committed treason

(15)The defendant’s possession of the weapon used to commit the class 1 felony constituted a felony offense under the laws of the state

(16)The defendant intentionally killed more than one person in more than one criminal episode

(17)The defendant committed the class 1 felony against the victim because of the victim’s race, color, ancestry, religion or national origin