The Colorado Revised Statutes (C.R.S.) are a series of books containing a complete compilation of state law. Each statute (law) is identified by three distinct numbers, separated by dashes. The first number refers to the "title" which is the general subject area. The second number refers to the "article" which is a specific topic within that subject area. The third number refers to the section that is a precise summary of the law applicable to a given area within that specific topic. Frequently, a C.R.S. citation will also include additional numbers, enclosed in parentheses, immediately following the Section number. In that case, these numbers refer to a specific paragraph or sub-section of the statute being cited.

For example, 33-1-102 identifies a statute within the subject area of Title 33, which contains the laws governing wildlife and parks and outdoor recreation. Within Title 33, the law is found in Article 1, which contains the general laws applicable to wildlife. Finally, within Article 1, Section 102 consists of a list of definitions of terms used in the laws governing the wildlife of Colorado and their environment.

Conversely, the index to the C.R.S. is used to locate the statutes applicable to some specific subject. For example, if the subject of interest is lobbyists, a check of the index under that listing will show that the laws regulating lobbyists are found in Title 24, State Government, under Article 6, the Sunshine Law, in Sections 301 through 309.

Finally, some caution must be taken when using the bound (hardcover) C.R.S. volumes. These volumes were completely revised in 1973 and obviously, many laws have been passed since the 1973 session of the Legislature. Rather than revise all of the statutes again in 1983, the Legislature decided to record the newer laws in Cumulative Supplements published for each volume of the C.R.S. Cumulative Supplements are published following every session of the General Assembly, and to issue a replacement volume when the supplement to a given volume became too lengthy or complex. In addition, it is important to note that the volume numbers do not correspond to the numbers of the title or titles included in the volume; e.g., volume 14 contains titles 33 through 35.