Colorado criminal charge
Hazardous waste violations in Colorado
Hazardous waste violations is a criminal offense under Colorado law, defined by C.R.S. § 18-13-112. Its classification is not fixed: Colorado assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.
Defined by C.R.S. § 18-13-112.
What is the penalty for hazardous waste violations in Colorado?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | 2 years to 6 years (Intentional spilling of hazardous waste — Applies when a person violates the section by intentionally spilling hazardous waste upon a street, highway, right-of-way, other public property, or private property without consent.) | presumptive | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Fine | $2,000 to $500,000 (Intentional spilling of hazardous waste — Applies when a person violates the section by intentionally spilling hazardous waste upon a street, highway, right-of-way, other public property, or private property without consent.) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Parole / supervision | 3 years to 3 years (Intentional spilling of hazardous waste — Applies when a person violates the section by intentionally spilling hazardous waste upon a street, highway, right-of-way, other public property, or private property without consent.; mandatory parole) | mandatory | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Jail / prison | 1 years to 3 years (Abandoning a vehicle containing hazardous waste — Applies when a person violates the section by abandoning a vehicle that contains hazardous waste.) | presumptive | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Fine | $1,000 to $100,000 (Abandoning a vehicle containing hazardous waste — Applies when a person violates the section by abandoning a vehicle that contains hazardous waste.) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Parole / supervision | 2 years to 2 years (Abandoning a vehicle containing hazardous waste — Applies when a person violates the section by abandoning a vehicle that contains hazardous waste.; mandatory parole) | mandatory | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
Applies to offenses on/after 2018-07-01.
How is hazardous waste violations classified in Colorado?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intentional spilling of hazardous waste | Class 4 Felony | Applies when a person violates the section by intentionally spilling hazardous waste upon a street, highway, right-of-way, other public property, or private property without consent. | 18-13-112(3)(a) |
| Abandoning a vehicle containing hazardous waste | Class 5 Felony | Applies when a person violates the section by abandoning a vehicle that contains hazardous waste. | 18-13-112(3)(b) |
Common questions about hazardous waste violations in Colorado
Is hazardous waste violations a felony or a misdemeanor in Colorado?
It depends on the circumstances: hazardous waste violations ranges from a Class 5 Felony to a Class 4 Felony in Colorado under C.R.S. § 18-13-112.
Intentional spilling of hazardous waste: Class 4 Felony (C.R.S. § 18-13-112(3)(a)) · Abandoning a vehicle containing hazardous waste: Class 5 Felony (C.R.S. § 18-13-112(3)(b))
What are the penalties for hazardous waste violations in Colorado?
Penalties for hazardous waste violations in Colorado depend on how it is classified — from a Class 5 Felony up to a Class 4 Felony — with the ranges set by C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which Colorado statute covers hazardous waste violations?
Hazardous waste violations is governed by C.R.S. § 18-13-112 (Hazardous waste violations).
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.