Colorado criminal charge
Throwing missiles at vehicles in Colorado
Throwing missiles at vehicles is a criminal offense under Colorado law, defined by C.R.S. § 18-9-116. 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. § 18-9-116.
What is the penalty for throwing missiles at vehicles in Colorado?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine | up to 100 usd (no statutory minimum) (Throwing missiles at vehicles — A person knowingly projects any missile at or against a vehicle or equipment designed for transportation of persons or property, other than a bicycle.; civil matter, no jail; individual statutes may set a different fine) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-503 |
| Jail / prison | up to 120 days (no statutory minimum) (Throwing missiles at bicyclists — A person knowingly projects any missile at or against a bicyclist.) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-501 |
| Fine | up to 750 usd (no statutory minimum) (Throwing missiles at bicyclists — A person knowingly projects any missile at or against a bicyclist.) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-501 |
Applies to offenses on/after 2022-03-01 (SB21-271).
How is throwing missiles at vehicles classified in Colorado?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Throwing missiles at vehicles | civil infraction | A person knowingly projects any missile at or against a vehicle or equipment designed for transportation of persons or property, other than a bicycle. | 18-9-116(1) |
| Throwing missiles at bicyclists | class 2 misdemeanor | A person knowingly projects any missile at or against a bicyclist. | 18-9-116(2) |
Common questions about throwing missiles at vehicles in Colorado
Is throwing missiles at vehicles a felony or a misdemeanor in Colorado?
It depends on the circumstances: throwing missiles at vehicles ranges from a civil infraction to a class 2 misdemeanor in Colorado under C.R.S. § 18-9-116.
Throwing missiles at vehicles: civil infraction (C.R.S. § 18-9-116(1)) · Throwing missiles at bicyclists: class 2 misdemeanor (C.R.S. § 18-9-116(2))
What are the penalties for throwing missiles at vehicles in Colorado?
Penalties for throwing missiles at vehicles in Colorado depend on how it is classified — from a civil infraction up to a class 2 misdemeanor — with the ranges set by C.R.S. § 18-1.3-503 and C.R.S. § 18-1.3-501; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which Colorado statute covers throwing missiles at vehicles?
Throwing missiles at vehicles is governed by C.R.S. § 18-9-116 (Throwing missiles at vehicles - harassment of bicyclists).
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.