COLORADO NEWS

Next Week Colorado Will Criminalize Pointing Lasers at Aircraft

Jun 22, 2023, 2:31 PM | Updated: Jun 23, 2023, 3:54 pm

Any sensible person knows that pointing a laser at an airplane is the worst idea in the world. Not only could you put people in danger, but you will also get in huge trouble…

It is already a federal crime to point a laser at an aircraft, but SB 23-095 also makes it a state crime in Colorado.

Starting July 1, if someone points a laser at a plane or other aircraft, they face up to five years in federal prison, as well as between one year and 18 months in state prison.

There are exceptions, such as when someone is authorized to do it or is trying to send an emergency distress signal.

There were nearly 9,500 laser incidents reported to the Federal Aviation Administration in 2022, with just over 300 of those being in Colorado.

Another reason not to do it is the FBI will know your location almost immediately.  You WILL get caught and will do serious time.

Here’s an airplane pilot’s warning about it.

@sabrinaleej Shooting lasers at airplanes? #pilotsoftiktok #airlinepilot #travel #femalepilot #helicopter #helicopter #nyc ♬ sonido original – Sabrina Johnson

Colorado News

(Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)...

KOSI 101.1

Spring break in Denver: Family-friendly stuff to do when the kids are bored (again)

Spring break is here, the weather is pretending it’s spring, and your kids have officially hit peak chaos. If you’re staying in the Denver area, you’ve got plenty of options […]

5 hours ago

(Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)...

Jenny D

Water restrictions begin March 25 as Denver faces near-record low snowpack

With our mountain snowpack dipping to near-record lows, Denver Water is officially moving to combat dry conditions. Beginning March 25, new seasonal water restrictions will take effect across the metro […]

6 hours ago

(Photo by David Silverman/Getty Images)...

KOSI 101.1

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo does it again: No. 2 Best Zoo in the U.S.

The results are in…and Colorado’s got another reason to brag!  Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs has been named the No. 2 Best Zoo in the United States for the second year in […]

6 hours ago

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, COLORADO - DECEMBER 04: Clemens Millauer of Team Austria competes in the Men's S...

Brailey Jones

Steamboat Sets Closing Date After Unseasonably Warm Winter

Steamboat Resort will close a week early this year, citing a mild winter. The resort announced Wednesday that it will end the season April 12, a week earlier than last […]

1 day ago

(Photo by DANIEL SLIM/AFP via Getty Images)...

Brailey Jones

Power outage triggers ground stop at Denver International Airport

UPDATE: As of 11:15am, DIA Social Media has posted that “Power has been restored and airport operations are beginning to resume. Please be patient as we return operations to normal. […]

1 day ago

(Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)...

Kathie J

Amazon Launches 1-Hour & 3-Hour Delivery

Amazon has started faster U.S. deliveries for a fee. The charge for a three-hour delivery is $4.99 for Prime members and $14.99 for non-members. The charge for a one-hour delivery […]

1 day ago

Next Week Colorado Will Criminalize Pointing Lasers at Aircraft