{"id":372031,"date":"2016-10-07T10:04:04","date_gmt":"2016-10-07T15:04:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/colorado-law\/colorado-vandalism-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-04-04T17:03:31","modified_gmt":"2025-04-04T22:03:31","slug":"colorado-vandalism-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/colorado-law\/colorado-vandalism-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Colorado Vandalism Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n \n
\n

Colorado Vandalism Laws<\/h1>\n
\n
\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
\n

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
\n

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

Colorado vandalism laws cover all types of intentional property damage. Vandalism<\/a> includes criminal mischief, defacing property, and other offenses. Graffiti is the best-known criminal offense involving vandalism, but many others exist.<\/p>\r\n

Vandalism and criminal mischief are intentional crimes. This means the person must knowingly and deliberately damage another person’s property. Criminal mischief<\/a> charges do not get filed after an accident. But other negligent acts can result in prosecutors adding charges of criminal mischief.<\/p>\r\n

If you’re facing charges of vandalism or criminal mischief, contact a criminal defense lawyer<\/a> immediately.<\/p>\r\n

Vandalism and Related Offenses<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Criminal mischief<\/b> (Colorado Revised Statutes 18-4-501<\/a>) is the knowing damage of the "real or personal property of another" in a single criminal episode. The damaged property may belong to one person or several people. It’s possible to vandalize property you own with others if you damage or destroy it without the other owners’ permission.<\/p>\r\n

Defacing property<\/b> (CRS 18-4-509<\/a>) includes all public and private property and extends to caves and historical monuments.<\/p>\r\n

Criminal tampering<\/b> (CRS 18-4-505<\/a>) is vandalism interrupting public utilities or health and safety services. CRS 18-4-506.3 makes tampering with oil or gas collection equipment a misdemeanor.<\/p>\r\n

Defacing or destroying written instruments<\/b> (CRS 18-4-507<\/a>) damages a title deed or other document supporting a property right is a second-degree misdemeanor. Criminal mischief laws protect other property rights in CRS 18-4-508<\/a>, Defacing or destroying landmarks or monuments.<\/b> Monuments here mean "land boundary monuments" used as survey markers.<\/p>\r\n

Defacing posted notices<\/b> required by law (CRS 18-4-510<\/a>) is a civil infraction, punishable by a fine.<\/p>\r\n

Trespass and Vandalism<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

Criminal trespass is entering the land of another to commit a crime (CRS 18-4-502<\/a>). Entering another’s property to deface or destroy property can meet the definition of trespass. Entering a motor vehicle or dwelling is a first-degree misdemeanor, but entering an occupied building bumps the offense to a Class 6 felony.<\/p>\r\n

Trespassing<\/a> charges may surprise some defendants in criminal mischief cases. Minors commit a majority of vandalism cases. They think they are committing a petty offense and are charged with multiple offenses instead.<\/p>\r\n

Juvenile vandals seldom face jail time unless they are repeat offenders or there are other offenses involved. Juvenile cases go through the juvenile justice system<\/a>, and judges consider other options besides incarceration. Juvenile offenders are more likely to face:<\/p>\r\n