{"id":371948,"date":"2016-10-07T17:10:37","date_gmt":"2016-10-07T22:10:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/colorado-law\/colorado-criminal-mischief-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-05-30T09:25:07","modified_gmt":"2025-05-30T14:25:07","slug":"colorado-criminal-mischief-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/colorado-law\/colorado-criminal-mischief-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Colorado Criminal Mischief Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Colorado Criminal Mischief Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Despite the name, criminal mischief is a serious crime in Colorado. All criminal mischief crimes require damage to or entry onto the property of another. Other names for criminal mischief are vandalism<\/a>, trespass, tampering, or defacing property.<\/p>\r\n

Under Colorado law, criminal mischief is the knowing damage to the real or personal property of one or more persons in the course of a single criminal episode. This includes property owned by the defendant with another person.<\/p>\r\n

Criminal mischief may be a felony or misdemeanor, depending on the value of the property damaged. Malicious intent is not required. The law only requires that the defendant knew that property damage would result from their actions.<\/p>\r\n

In a criminal mischief case, property or \u201cpremises\u201d is real property or buildings owned by another or that they have a proprietary interest in. It can also be non-navigable streams flowing through the property. This differs from defacing property laws<\/a>, which can include historical monuments, caves, and buildings.<\/p>\r\n

Criminal Mischief and Other Crimes<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Criminal mischief and other property crimes often result from family arguments. Property owners can cause property damage to their own property if they share it with others. Domestic violence cases often include criminal mischief or property damage charges.<\/p>\r\n

Colorado Criminal Mischief Laws at a Glance<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Criminal mischief laws in Colorado can be complex. We’ve gathered important points below to help you better understand what’s involved.<\/p>\r\n

Statutes<\/b><\/p>\r\n