We granted certiorari in this case to review the constitutionality of defendant Sammy Michael Alvarez's sentence to life imprisonment under the Habitual Criminal Act, §§ 16-13-101 to 16-13-103, 8A C.R.S. (1986 & 1989 Supp.). The court of appeals affirmed the defendant's conviction and held that he was not entitled to a proportionality review of his life sentence because he is eligible for parole. The defendant argues that he is entitled under the eighth amendment to the United States Constitution, and article II, section 20, of the Colorado Constitution, to an extensive proportionality review of his life sentence based on the three criteria identified in Solem v. Helm, 463 U.S. 277, 103 S. Ct. 3001, 77 L. Ed. 2d 637 (1983). The defendant also argues that whether this court undertakes a limited or extensive proportionality review of his sentence, it should hold that his sentence constitutes cruel and unusual punishment. We hold that the defendant is entitled to an abbreviated proportionality review of his sentence, and, on the basis of such a review, we affirm the judgment of the court of appeals.
