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 Nick Tininenko/Getty Images for Bud Light...

Shawn Patrick

Three Colorado towns named among best summer getaways in the U.S.

Colorado claimed three of the 10 spots on Travel + Leisure’s list of the best small towns in America for a summer weekend getaway, with Crested Butte, Telluride and Salida […]

13 hours ago

(Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for Discovery Times Square)...

Shawn Patrick

Immersive Harry Potter exhibition is coming to Denver this summer

Denver is about to become the most magical city on the Front Range — and not because of the May snowstorm. “Harry Potter: The Exhibition,” described as the most extensive […]

14 hours ago

(Photo by Anne Cusack/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)...

Shawn Patrick

The top 10 best places to get green chile in Denver

IT’s Cinco de Mayo, and that instantly gets me thinking Mexican food. There is no Mexican dish more Denver than green chile. Not the thin, bright-green New Mexico version (no […]

14 hours ago

Water World...

Shawn Patrick

Two water slides in Denver named among the best in all of America

Denver is known for a lot of things; beer, mountains, and music… But who knew Denver was such a mecca for water slides? Two water slides at Water World in […]

2 days ago

Good Luck Club...

Shawn Patrick

Denver finally has a Y2K themed bar after months of delays

The Nintendo 64 is plugged in. The VHS tapes are stacked. Mr. Brightside is the closing anthem. And after months of city permitting delays that nearly killed the concept before […]

2 days ago

Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images...

Shawn Patrick

What’s the biggest May snowstorm in Denver’s history?

As I write this on on Monday afternoon (May 4), it’s 71 degrees in Denver. By Wednesday morning, the city could be under half a foot of snow… The National […]

2 days ago

Next Week Colorado Will Criminalize Pointing Lasers at Aircraft