Skip to main content
Find a Lawyer

Colorado Revised Statutes Title 18. Criminal Code § 18-4-512. Abandonment of a motor vehicle

Current as of January 01, 2025 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

(1) Any person who abandons any motor vehicle upon a street, highway, right-of-way, or any other public property, or upon any private property without the express consent of the owner or person in lawful charge of that private property commits abandonment of a motor vehicle.

(2) To “abandon” means to leave a thing with the intention not to retain possession of or assert ownership over it. The intent need not coincide with the act of leaving.

(3) It is prima facie evidence of the necessary intent that:

(a) The motor vehicle has been left for more than seven days unattended and unmoved; or

(b) License plates or other identifying marks have been removed from the motor vehicle; or

(c) The motor vehicle has been damaged or is deteriorated so extensively that it has value only for junk or salvage; or

(d) The owner has been notified by a law enforcement agency to remove the motor vehicle, and it has not been removed within three days after notification.

(4) Abandonment of a motor vehicle is a petty offense.

Previous Part of Code Next Part of Code
Back to Chapter List

Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Colorado Revised Statutes Title 18. Criminal Code § 18-4-512. Abandonment of a motor vehicle - last updated January 01, 2025 | https://codes.findlaw.com/co/title-18-criminal-code/co-rev-st-sect-18-4-512/

FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.

Was this helpful?

Welcome to FindLaw's Cases & Codes

A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw’s Learn About the Law.

Go to Learn About the Law

Latest Blog Posts

For Legal Professionals

Learn About The Law

Get help with your legal needs

FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.

Go to Learn About the Law

Need to Find an Attorney?

Search our directory by legal issue

Enter information in one or both fields (Required)

Copied to clipboard