Many misconceptions exist among parents and minors about legal repercussions concerning the use of alcohol, illegal substances, and fake IDs for anyone under 21 years of age. Across the nation, authorities are more willing to enact laws, prosecute, and convict minors for offenses relating to substance abuse. Parts of some Colorado statutes are paraphrased below.

Consult your local law enforcement agency for current information.

42-2-125 Mandatory revocation of license and permit

Anyone under the age of 21 who has been convicted of consuming, obtaining, or possessing alcohol or illegal drugs will have his or her driver’s license or permit revoked or suspended. If a person is too young to have a permit, the courts can delay its issuance.
12-47-801 Civil Liability
A social host who willfully and knowingly serves an alcoholic beverage to a person under 21 could be liable for any injury, property damage or wrongful death caused by that intoxicated minor.
12-47-901 Unlawful acts--alcohol
It is unlawful for any person to sell, serve, give away, dispose of, exchange, or deliver or permit the sale, serving, giving, or procuring of any alcoholic beverage to or for any person under the age of 21 years or to a visibly intoxicated person.
It is unlawful for any individual to obtain or attempt to obtain an alcoholic beverage by misrepresentation of age (i.e., fake ID), or by any other method in any place where alcoholic beverages are sold.
It is unlawful for any person under the age of 21 to possess alcohol in any vehicle or public place.
18-13-122 Illegal possession or consumption of ethyl alcohol by an underage person
Any person less than age 21 who possesses or consumes ethyl alcohol may be arrested, charged and issued a summons to appear in court (with parent if under age 18) when violating this law, which applies to both PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PROPERTY. Only three exceptions apply:
A person under 21 may possess or consume alcohol when on private property with the consent of the legal owner or possessor, and with the permission of the person’s parent or legal guardian and when the parent is physically present.
The alcohol found in a person’s body is due to the ingestion of a confectionery or medicine containing alcohol.
The consumption or possession was for bona fide religious purposes.
18-6-701 Contributing to the delinquency of a minor
Any person who induces, aids, or encourages a child under 18 years of age to violate any federal or state law, municipal or county ordinance, or court order commits contributing to the delinquency of a minor, which is a Class 4 felony.
Colorado’s Smoking Law
In Colorado, it is illegal for anyone under 18 to purchase tobacco products; it is also illegal for anyone to furnish tobacco products to minors under 18. Some municipalities and counties have enacted strict laws making using or possessing tobacco products illegal for those under 18.