Altering or otherwise falsifying a check is prosecuted as forgery in Colorado. Checks comprise any written, dated, and signed instrument directing a bank to give a certain amount of money to the bearer. Some examples of check forgery include: changing the amount of money, using a false signature, or changing the date. Forging a check is a class 5 felony, carrying 1 to 3 years in prison and/or $1,000 to $100,000 in fines. Meanwhile, possessing a forged check is a class 6 felony. This carries 1 to 1.5 years in prison and/or $1,000 to $100,000 in fines.