The Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution provides that a person accused of a crime has the right to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation, and states that:

“In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.”

In Colorado, as in all states, the Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution guarantees fundamental rights to individuals accused of crimes. These rights include the right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury in the state and district where the crime was committed. The state of Colorado ensures that the district is determined according to law, often defined by the state's judicial districts. Defendants must be informed of the charges and evidence against them, which is typically done through a formal charging document like an indictment or information. They also have the right to confront and cross-examine witnesses against them, which is a critical aspect of the adversarial system. Furthermore, defendants in Colorado have the right to subpoena witnesses in their defense and to have the assistance of an attorney. If a defendant cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed to them at no cost. These rights are enshrined in both the U.S. Constitution and reinforced by Colorado's state laws and procedural rules, ensuring that defendants receive a fair trial.