Colorado Revised Statute 18-4-505 CRS makes it a class 2 misdemeanor to commit first degree criminal tampering, which is tampering with public utilities or institutions providing health or safety protection with the intention to interrupt their services. Penalties for 1st-degree criminal tampering include up to 120 days in jail and/or up to $750 in fines.
The full text of the statute reads as follows:
CRS 18-4-505. Except as provided in sections 18-4-506.3 and 18-4-506.5, a person commits the crime of first degree criminal tampering if, with intent to cause interruption or impairment of a service rendered to the public by a utility or by an institution providing health or safety protection, the person tampers with property of a utility or institution. First degree criminal tampering is a class 2 misdemeanor.
Legal Analysis
Colorado Revised Statute 18-4-505 defines “first degree criminal tampering” as tampering with the property of a public utility or institution providing health or safety protection, and the tamperer has the intent to interrupt or impair the utility’s or institution’s service.1 Examples include cutting down a telephone pole or shutting off power to a hospital.
First degree criminal tampering is punished as a class 2 misdemeanor in Colorado. The sentence includes:
- Up to 120 days in jail, and/or
- A fine of up to $750.2
Examples of public utilities in Colorado include:
Note that CRS 18-4-505 does not apply to instances of tampering with a utility meter (CRS 18-4-506.5) or tampering with material for gathering oil or gas (CRS 18-4-506.3).
See our related article on second degree criminal tampering (CRS 18-4-506).
Legal References
- Colorado Revised Statute 18-4-505 CRS – First degree criminal tampering.
- Same. Prior to March 1, 2022, first degree criminal tampering was a class 1 misdemeanor. The penalties were 6 to 18 months in jail and a fine of up to $5,000. SB21-271.