Colorado criminal charge
Fourth degree arson in Colorado
Fourth degree arson is a criminal offense under Colorado law, defined by C.R.S. § 18-4-105. 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. § 18-4-105.
What is the penalty for fourth degree arson in Colorado?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | 2 years to 6 years (Fourth degree arson — person endangered — A person is endangered by the fire or explosion.) | presumptive | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Fine | 2000 usd to 500000 usd (Fourth degree arson — person endangered — A person is endangered by the fire or explosion.) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Parole / supervision | 3 years to 3 years (Fourth degree arson — person endangered — A person is endangered by the fire or explosion.; mandatory parole) | mandatory | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Jail / prison | up to 10 days (no statutory minimum) (Fourth degree arson — property endangered, value less than $300 — Only property is endangered and its value is less than $300.) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-503 |
| Fine | up to 300 usd (no statutory minimum) (Fourth degree arson — property endangered, value less than $300 — Only property is endangered and its value is less than $300.) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-503 |
| Jail / prison | up to 120 days (no statutory minimum) (Fourth degree arson — property endangered, value $300 to $1,000 — Only property is endangered and its value is $300 or more but less than $1,000.) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-501 |
| Fine | up to 750 usd (no statutory minimum) (Fourth degree arson — property endangered, value $300 to $1,000 — Only property is endangered and its value is $300 or more but less than $1,000.) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-501 |
| Jail / prison | up to 364 days (no statutory minimum) (Fourth degree arson — property endangered, value $1,000 to $2,000 — Only property is endangered and its value is $1,000 or more but less than $2,000.) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-501 |
| Fine | up to 1000 usd (no statutory minimum) (Fourth degree arson — property endangered, value $1,000 to $2,000 — Only property is endangered and its value is $1,000 or more but less than $2,000.) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-501 |
| Jail / prison | 12 months to 18 months (Fourth degree arson — property endangered, value $2,000 to $5,000 — Only property is endangered and its value is $2,000 or more but less than $5,000.) | presumptive | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Fine | 1000 usd to 100000 usd (Fourth degree arson — property endangered, value $2,000 to $5,000 — Only property is endangered and its value is $2,000 or more but less than $5,000.) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Parole / supervision | 1 years to 1 years (Fourth degree arson — property endangered, value $2,000 to $5,000 — Only property is endangered and its value is $2,000 or more but less than $5,000.; mandatory parole) | mandatory | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Jail / prison | 1 years to 3 years (Fourth degree arson — property endangered, value $5,000 to $20,000 — Only property is endangered and its value is $5,000 or more but less than $20,000.) | presumptive | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Fine | 1000 usd to 100000 usd (Fourth degree arson — property endangered, value $5,000 to $20,000 — Only property is endangered and its value is $5,000 or more but less than $20,000.) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Parole / supervision | 2 years to 2 years (Fourth degree arson — property endangered, value $5,000 to $20,000 — Only property is endangered and its value is $5,000 or more but less than $20,000.; mandatory parole) | mandatory | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Jail / prison | 2 years to 6 years (Fourth degree arson — property endangered, value $20,000 to $100,000 — Only property is endangered and its value is $20,000 or more but less than $100,000.) | presumptive | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Fine | 2000 usd to 500000 usd (Fourth degree arson — property endangered, value $20,000 to $100,000 — Only property is endangered and its value is $20,000 or more but less than $100,000.) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Parole / supervision | 3 years to 3 years (Fourth degree arson — property endangered, value $20,000 to $100,000 — Only property is endangered and its value is $20,000 or more but less than $100,000.; mandatory parole) | mandatory | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Jail / prison | 4 years to 12 years (Fourth degree arson — property endangered, value $100,000 to $1,000,000 — Only property is endangered and its value is $100,000 or more but less than $1,000,000.) | presumptive | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Fine | 3000 usd to 750000 usd (Fourth degree arson — property endangered, value $100,000 to $1,000,000 — Only property is endangered and its value is $100,000 or more but less than $1,000,000.) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Parole / supervision | 3 years to 3 years (Fourth degree arson — property endangered, value $100,000 to $1,000,000 — Only property is endangered and its value is $100,000 or more but less than $1,000,000.; mandatory parole) | mandatory | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Jail / prison | 8 years to 24 years (Fourth degree arson — property endangered, value $1,000,000 or more — Only property is endangered and its value is $1,000,000 or more.) | presumptive | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Fine | 5000 usd to 1000000 usd (Fourth degree arson — property endangered, value $1,000,000 or more — Only property is endangered and its value is $1,000,000 or more.) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Parole / supervision | 3 years to 3 years (Fourth degree arson — property endangered, value $1,000,000 or more — Only property is endangered and its value is $1,000,000 or more.; mandatory parole (5 years if crime of violence)) | mandatory | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
Applies to offenses on/after 2018-07-01.
How is fourth degree arson classified in Colorado?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fourth degree arson — person endangered | class 4 felony | A person is endangered by the fire or explosion. | 18-4-105(2) |
| Fourth degree arson — property endangered, value less than $300 | petty offense | Only property is endangered and its value is less than $300. | 18-4-105(3)(a) |
| Fourth degree arson — property endangered, value $300 to $1,000 | class 2 misdemeanor | Only property is endangered and its value is $300 or more but less than $1,000. | 18-4-105(3)(b) |
| Fourth degree arson — property endangered, value $1,000 to $2,000 | class 1 misdemeanor | Only property is endangered and its value is $1,000 or more but less than $2,000. | 18-4-105(3)(c) |
| Fourth degree arson — property endangered, value $2,000 to $5,000 | class 6 felony | Only property is endangered and its value is $2,000 or more but less than $5,000. | 18-4-105(3)(d) |
| Fourth degree arson — property endangered, value $5,000 to $20,000 | class 5 felony | Only property is endangered and its value is $5,000 or more but less than $20,000. | 18-4-105(3)(e) |
| Fourth degree arson — property endangered, value $20,000 to $100,000 | class 4 felony | Only property is endangered and its value is $20,000 or more but less than $100,000. | 18-4-105(3)(f) |
| Fourth degree arson — property endangered, value $100,000 to $1,000,000 | class 3 felony | Only property is endangered and its value is $100,000 or more but less than $1,000,000. | 18-4-105(3)(g) |
| Fourth degree arson — property endangered, value $1,000,000 or more | class 2 felony | Only property is endangered and its value is $1,000,000 or more. | 18-4-105(3)(h) |
Common questions about fourth degree arson in Colorado
Is fourth degree arson a felony or a misdemeanor in Colorado?
It depends on the circumstances: fourth degree arson ranges from a petty offense to a class 2 felony in Colorado under C.R.S. § 18-4-105.
Fourth degree arson — person endangered: class 4 felony (C.R.S. § 18-4-105(2)) · Fourth degree arson — property endangered, value less than $300: petty offense (C.R.S. § 18-4-105(3)(a)) · Fourth degree arson — property endangered, value $300 to $1,000: class 2 misdemeanor (C.R.S. § 18-4-105(3)(b)) · Fourth degree arson — property endangered, value $1,000 to $2,000: class 1 misdemeanor (C.R.S. § 18-4-105(3)(c)) · Fourth degree arson — property endangered, value $2,000 to $5,000: class 6 felony (C.R.S. § 18-4-105(3)(d)) · Fourth degree arson — property endangered, value $5,000 to $20,000: class 5 felony (C.R.S. § 18-4-105(3)(e)) · Fourth degree arson — property endangered, value $20,000 to $100,000: class 4 felony (C.R.S. § 18-4-105(3)(f)) · Fourth degree arson — property endangered, value $100,000 to $1,000,000: class 3 felony (C.R.S. § 18-4-105(3)(g)) · Fourth degree arson — property endangered, value $1,000,000 or more: class 2 felony (C.R.S. § 18-4-105(3)(h))
What are the penalties for fourth degree arson in Colorado?
Penalties for fourth degree arson in Colorado depend on how it is classified — from a petty offense up to a class 2 felony — with the ranges set by C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401, 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 fourth degree arson?
Fourth degree arson is governed by C.R.S. § 18-4-105 (Fourth degree arson).
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.