Shining Laser Pointers at Airplanes is Now a Felony in Colorado

CO – In 2022 alone, pilots in Colorado experienced over 300 incidents of laser strikes. A laser strike is when someone on the ground directs a laser pointer directly at an aircraft. Since July 1, these laser strikes have been considered a state felony, allowing local police and prosecutors to take these cases to court.

Using lasers near airplanes can be extremely dangerous to pilots, as the light can scatter around the cockpit, which impairs their night vision or even causes temporary blindness. This can be life-threatening when the plane is close to the ground, as pilots are more vulnerable to lasers during takeoff and landing.

Since 2010, Colorado has seen a rise in the number of laser strikes reported, which aligns with the national trend. Denver International Airport has been the most affected area, but Longmont, Colorado Springs, and Pueblo have also experienced over 100 laser strikes in the last 13 years. In the majority of cases, it was adults, not children, that were responsible. These individuals usually acted with malicious intent or thought it was a joke.

Only about 1% of cases result in authorities identifying a suspect, even if the perpetrators are committing a federal felony. Unfortunately, local police can only take away the laser pointer and report the incident to the FBI. Due to a lack of resources, the FBI cannot effectively investigate aviation-related crimes in Colorado.

There are few limitations on the sale of lasers throughout the United States, making it easy to obtain one that’s thousands of times more powerful than a standard classroom tool. They are actually capable of burning paper and damaging eyesight. Even a low-power laser pointer can be distracting to pilots at lower altitudes due to the glare it produces. Under the new law, a Class 6 state felony is established, with a potential penalty of up to $100,000 in fines and 18 months in prison. Federal law also permits a sentence of up to 5 years in prison. Ouch!