Colorado POST Certification Exam | 150 Actual Practice Questions
with Verified Answers & Explanations | Latest Update |
Guaranteed Pass
Introduction
Becoming a certified peace officer in Colorado is a significant achievement that demands rigorous
preparation, legal knowledge, and practical skill. The Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training
(POST) Basic Certification Exam is the final gateway to a career in law enforcement across the state.
Whether you are a new academy graduate, an out-of-state officer seeking provisional certification, or a
previously certified officer returning to service, passing the POST exam is non-negotiable.
This study guide contains 150 multiple-choice questions designed to mirror the content, difficulty, and
structure of the actual Colorado POST certification exam. Each question is followed by the correct answer
in bold italic and a clear explanation in italic to reinforce your understanding of the underlying legal
principles, statutes, and procedures.
The questions cover the full spectrum of POST-tested topics, including:
1. Colorado criminal law (theft, assault, burglary, homicide, etc.)
2. Constitutional law (Fourth Amendment searches and seizures, Miranda, use of force)
3. Colorado Revised Statutes specific to peace officers
4. Ethical conduct and report writing
5. Traffic and DUI/DWAI enforcement
6. POST skills testing requirements (firearms, emergency driving, arrest control)
1. What is the minimum passing score for the Colorado POST written exam?
a) 60%
b) 65%
c) 70%
d) 75%
The Colorado POST written exam requires a minimum score of 70% to pass.
2. Which of the following is required for a valid traffic stop under the Fourth
Amendment?
,a) Probable cause of a felony
b) Reasonable suspicion that a traffic violation occurred
c) A signed warrant
d) The driver's verbal consent
Reasonable suspicion of a traffic violation or criminal activity is sufficient for an investigatory
stop.
3. Under Colorado law, what is the age of a "child" for mandatory reporting of child
abuse?
a) Under 12 years old
b) Under 18 years old
c) Under 16 years old
d) Under 21 years old
In Colorado, any person under 18 is considered a child for mandatory child abuse reporting
purposes.
4. A person commits second-degree kidnapping when they do which of the
following?
a) Take a victim across state lines for ransom
b) Take a victim without consent but not for ransom or child victim
c) Hold a child for more than 24 hours
d) Demand money during a carjacking
Second-degree kidnapping typically involves less serious intent (not ransom) or less serious
harm than first-degree.
5. Which Colorado statute defines the use of physical force in defense of premises?
a) C.R.S. 18-1-704
b) C.R.S. 18-1-705
c) C.R.S. 18-1-706
d) C.R.S. 18-1-707
*C.R.S. 18-1-705 specifically authorizes the use of reasonable force to defend a dwelling or
premises.*
,6. An officer fails the driving skills test three times. What is the required remedy?
a) Retake the written exam
b) Pay a $500 fine
c) Attend the full academy curriculum for driving (72 hours)
d) Wait one year before re-testing
Three failures on any skills component requires the applicant to take the full POST academy
training for that specific skill.
7. What is the legal standard for an arrest without a warrant in Colorado?
a) Reasonable suspicion
b) Preponderance of evidence
c) Probable cause that a crime was committed by the person
d) Clear and convincing evidence
An arrest must be supported by probable cause, regardless of whether a warrant is
obtained.
8. Which of the following is a Class 1 misdemeanor in Colorado?
a) Speeding 5 mph over limit
b) Third-degree assault (knowingly causing injury)
c) Petty theft under $50
d) Trespass on vacant land
*Third-degree assault (C.R.S. 18-3-204) is a Class 1 misdemeanor, punishable by up to 364
days in jail.*
9. When can a peace officer use deadly physical force under Colorado law?
a) To prevent escape of any fleeing suspect
b) To defend themselves or another from imminent deadly threat
c) To protect property after dark
d) Whenever a suspect resists arrest
Deadly force is justified only when necessary to defend against imminent death or serious
bodily injury.
, 10. The Colorado POST certification exam includes which practical skills test?
a) First aid and CPR
b) Emergency vehicle driving
c) Radio communication
d) Report writing
The three skills tests are arrest control (defensive tactics), emergency vehicle driving, and
firearms.
11. What is the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for DUI per se in Colorado?
a) 0.02%
b) 0.06%
c) 0.08%
d) 0.10%
Colorado sets the legal limit for DUI per se at 0.08% for drivers 21 and older.
12. A provisional certification applicant from another state must have how many
years of experience?
a) Six months
b) One year within the last three years
c) Two years within the last five years
d) No experience required
Out-of-state officers must have at least one year of full-time law enforcement experience in
the prior three years to qualify for provisional certification.
13. Under Colorado's "Make My Day" law (C.R.S. 18-1-704.5), deadly force is justified
against an intruder who:
a) Is unarmed but shouting
b) Has committed a crime in the dwelling and is reasonably believed to pose a threat
c) Is a family member in a dispute
d) Is a first responder acting legally
The law permits deadly force against an intruder who has unlawfully entered and is
committing a crime inside the dwelling.
with Verified Answers & Explanations | Latest Update |
Guaranteed Pass
Introduction
Becoming a certified peace officer in Colorado is a significant achievement that demands rigorous
preparation, legal knowledge, and practical skill. The Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training
(POST) Basic Certification Exam is the final gateway to a career in law enforcement across the state.
Whether you are a new academy graduate, an out-of-state officer seeking provisional certification, or a
previously certified officer returning to service, passing the POST exam is non-negotiable.
This study guide contains 150 multiple-choice questions designed to mirror the content, difficulty, and
structure of the actual Colorado POST certification exam. Each question is followed by the correct answer
in bold italic and a clear explanation in italic to reinforce your understanding of the underlying legal
principles, statutes, and procedures.
The questions cover the full spectrum of POST-tested topics, including:
1. Colorado criminal law (theft, assault, burglary, homicide, etc.)
2. Constitutional law (Fourth Amendment searches and seizures, Miranda, use of force)
3. Colorado Revised Statutes specific to peace officers
4. Ethical conduct and report writing
5. Traffic and DUI/DWAI enforcement
6. POST skills testing requirements (firearms, emergency driving, arrest control)
1. What is the minimum passing score for the Colorado POST written exam?
a) 60%
b) 65%
c) 70%
d) 75%
The Colorado POST written exam requires a minimum score of 70% to pass.
2. Which of the following is required for a valid traffic stop under the Fourth
Amendment?
,a) Probable cause of a felony
b) Reasonable suspicion that a traffic violation occurred
c) A signed warrant
d) The driver's verbal consent
Reasonable suspicion of a traffic violation or criminal activity is sufficient for an investigatory
stop.
3. Under Colorado law, what is the age of a "child" for mandatory reporting of child
abuse?
a) Under 12 years old
b) Under 18 years old
c) Under 16 years old
d) Under 21 years old
In Colorado, any person under 18 is considered a child for mandatory child abuse reporting
purposes.
4. A person commits second-degree kidnapping when they do which of the
following?
a) Take a victim across state lines for ransom
b) Take a victim without consent but not for ransom or child victim
c) Hold a child for more than 24 hours
d) Demand money during a carjacking
Second-degree kidnapping typically involves less serious intent (not ransom) or less serious
harm than first-degree.
5. Which Colorado statute defines the use of physical force in defense of premises?
a) C.R.S. 18-1-704
b) C.R.S. 18-1-705
c) C.R.S. 18-1-706
d) C.R.S. 18-1-707
*C.R.S. 18-1-705 specifically authorizes the use of reasonable force to defend a dwelling or
premises.*
,6. An officer fails the driving skills test three times. What is the required remedy?
a) Retake the written exam
b) Pay a $500 fine
c) Attend the full academy curriculum for driving (72 hours)
d) Wait one year before re-testing
Three failures on any skills component requires the applicant to take the full POST academy
training for that specific skill.
7. What is the legal standard for an arrest without a warrant in Colorado?
a) Reasonable suspicion
b) Preponderance of evidence
c) Probable cause that a crime was committed by the person
d) Clear and convincing evidence
An arrest must be supported by probable cause, regardless of whether a warrant is
obtained.
8. Which of the following is a Class 1 misdemeanor in Colorado?
a) Speeding 5 mph over limit
b) Third-degree assault (knowingly causing injury)
c) Petty theft under $50
d) Trespass on vacant land
*Third-degree assault (C.R.S. 18-3-204) is a Class 1 misdemeanor, punishable by up to 364
days in jail.*
9. When can a peace officer use deadly physical force under Colorado law?
a) To prevent escape of any fleeing suspect
b) To defend themselves or another from imminent deadly threat
c) To protect property after dark
d) Whenever a suspect resists arrest
Deadly force is justified only when necessary to defend against imminent death or serious
bodily injury.
, 10. The Colorado POST certification exam includes which practical skills test?
a) First aid and CPR
b) Emergency vehicle driving
c) Radio communication
d) Report writing
The three skills tests are arrest control (defensive tactics), emergency vehicle driving, and
firearms.
11. What is the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for DUI per se in Colorado?
a) 0.02%
b) 0.06%
c) 0.08%
d) 0.10%
Colorado sets the legal limit for DUI per se at 0.08% for drivers 21 and older.
12. A provisional certification applicant from another state must have how many
years of experience?
a) Six months
b) One year within the last three years
c) Two years within the last five years
d) No experience required
Out-of-state officers must have at least one year of full-time law enforcement experience in
the prior three years to qualify for provisional certification.
13. Under Colorado's "Make My Day" law (C.R.S. 18-1-704.5), deadly force is justified
against an intruder who:
a) Is unarmed but shouting
b) Has committed a crime in the dwelling and is reasonably believed to pose a threat
c) Is a family member in a dispute
d) Is a first responder acting legally
The law permits deadly force against an intruder who has unlawfully entered and is
committing a crime inside the dwelling.
