# C.R.S. § 18-1-703: 18-1-703. Use of physical force - special relationships

> Colorado · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A1_P7_S18-1-703

## Section

- **Citation:** C.R.S. § 18-1-703
- **Heading:** 18-1-703. Use of physical force - special relationships
- **Jurisdiction:** Colorado
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** CO Code / Title 18 / Article 1 / Part 7 / Section 18-1-703

## Text

18-1-703. Use of physical force - special relationships. (1) The use of physical force upon another person that would otherwise constitute an offense is justifiable and not criminal under any of the following circumstances:

(a) A parent, guardian, or other person entrusted with the care and supervision of a minor or an incompetent person, and a teacher or other person entrusted with the care and supervision of a minor, may use reasonable and appropriate physical force upon the minor or incompetent person when and to the extent it is reasonably necessary and appropriate to maintain discipline or promote the welfare of the minor or incompetent person.

(b) A superintendent or other authorized official of a jail, prison, or correctional institution may, in order to maintain order and discipline, use objectively reasonable and appropriate physical force when and to the extent that he or she reasonably believes it necessary to maintain order and discipline, but he or she may use deadly physical force only when he or she objectively reasonably believes the inmate poses an immediate threat to the person using deadly force or another person.

(c) A person responsible for the maintenance of order in a common carrier of passengers, or a person acting under his direction, may use reasonable and appropriate physical force when and to the extent that it is necessary to maintain order and discipline, but he may use deadly physical force only when it is reasonably necessary to prevent death or serious bodily injury.

(d) A person acting under a reasonable belief that another person is about to commit suicide or to inflict serious bodily injury upon himself may use reasonable and appropriate physical force upon that person to the extent that it is reasonably necessary to thwart the result.

(e) A duly licensed physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or a person acting under his or her direction, may use reasonable and appropriate physical force for the purpose of administering a recognized form of treatment that he or she reasonably believes to be adapted to promoting the physical or mental health of the patient if:

(I) The treatment is administered with the consent of the patient, or if the patient is a minor or an incompetent person, with the consent of his parent, guardian, or other person entrusted with his care and supervision; or

(II) The treatment is administered in an emergency when the physician or advanced practice registered nurse reasonably believes that no one competent to consent can be consulted and that a reasonable person, wishing to safeguard the welfare of the patient, would consent.

## Nearby sections

- [C.R.S. § 18-1-701 18-1-701. Execution of public duty](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A1_P7_S18-1-701.md)
- [C.R.S. § 18-1-702 18-1-702. Choice of evils](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A1_P7_S18-1-702.md)
- [C.R.S. § 18-1-703 18-1-703. Use of physical force - special relationships](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A1_P7_S18-1-703.md)
- [C.R.S. § 18-1-704 18-1-704. Use of physical force in defense of a person - definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A1_P7_S18-1-704.md)
- [C.R.S. § 18-1-704.5 18-1-704.5. Use of deadly physical force against an intruder](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A1_P7_S18-1-704.5.md)
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- [C.R.S. § 18-1-706 18-1-706. Use of physical force in defense of property](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A1_P7_S18-1-706.md)
- [C.R.S. § 18-1-706.5 18-1-706.5. Justification and exemption from liability when rendering emergency assistance t](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A1_P7_S18-1-706.5.md)
- [C.R.S. § 18-1-707 18-1-707. Use of force by peace officers - definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A1_P7_S18-1-707.md)
- [C.R.S. § 18-1-708 18-1-708. Duress](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A1_P7_S18-1-708.md)
- [C.R.S. § 18-1-709 18-1-709. Entrapment](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A1_P7_S18-1-709.md)
- [C.R.S. § 18-1-710 18-1-710. Affirmative defense](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A1_P7_S18-1-710.md)
- [C.R.S. § 18-1-711 18-1-711. Immunity for persons who suffer or report an emergency drug or alcohol overdose](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A1_P7_S18-1-711.md)
- [C.R.S. § 18-1-712 18-1-712. Immunity for a person who administers an opioid antagonist during an opioid-rela](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A1_P7_S18-1-712.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A1_P7_S18-1-703. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.