Skip to main content
US Criminal Defense.org
Menu

Colorado criminal charge

Abandonment of a motor vehicle in Colorado

petty offenseCurrent through 2026 Colorado legislative session

Abandonment of a motor vehicle is a petty offense under Colorado criminal law, defined by C.R.S. § 18-4-512. As a petty offense, it is punishable within the statutory sentencing range Colorado sets for that offense class. Colorado sorts criminal offenses into felonies, misdemeanors, and petty offenses, each carrying its own penalty range.

Defined by C.R.S. § 18-4-512.

What is the penalty for abandonment of a motor vehicle in Colorado?

Penalties for Abandonment of a motor vehicle
PenaltyRangeBasisAuthority
Jail / prisonup to 10 days (no statutory minimum)discretionaryC.R.S. § 18-1.3-503
Fineup to 300 usd (no statutory minimum)discretionaryC.R.S. § 18-1.3-503

Applies to offenses on/after 2022-03-01 (SB21-271).

Common questions about abandonment of a motor vehicle in Colorado

Is abandonment of a motor vehicle a felony or a misdemeanor in Colorado?

Abandonment of a motor vehicle is a petty offense in Colorado under C.R.S. § 18-4-512.

What are the penalties for abandonment of a motor vehicle in Colorado?

As a petty offense, abandonment of a motor vehicle carries up to 10 days (no mandatory minimum) of incarceration and a fine of up to $300 (no mandatory minimum) under C.R.S. § 18-1.3-503 (offenses on/after 2022-03-01 (SB21-271)).

Which Colorado statute covers abandonment of a motor vehicle?

Abandonment of a motor vehicle is governed by C.R.S. § 18-4-512 (Abandonment of a motor vehicle).

Legal terms used in this law

This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.