Colorado criminal charge
Unlawful conduct on public property in Colorado
Unlawful conduct on public property is a criminal offense under Colorado law, defined by C.R.S. § 18-9-117. 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. § 18-9-117.
What is the penalty for unlawful conduct on public property in Colorado?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 10 days (no statutory minimum) (General violation of order, rule, or regulation under subsection (1) — Applies to any person who violates subsection (1) generally, except where subsections (3)(b) or (3)(c) apply.) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-503 |
| Fine | up to 300 usd (no statutory minimum) (General violation of order, rule, or regulation under subsection (1) — Applies to any person who violates subsection (1) generally, except where subsections (3)(b) or (3)(c) apply.) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-503 |
| Jail / prison | up to 120 days (no statutory minimum) (Violation of fire-related order, rule, or regulation — Applies when a person violates an order, rule, or regulation adopted under subsection (1)(g) concerning control and limitation of fires.) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-501 |
| Fine | up to 750 usd (no statutory minimum) (Violation of fire-related order, rule, or regulation — Applies when a person violates an order, rule, or regulation adopted under subsection (1)(g) concerning control and limitation of fires.) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-501 |
| Jail / prison | up to 120 days (no statutory minimum) (Violation of order, rule, or regulation concerning funerals or funeral processions — Applies when a person violates an order, rule, or regulation adopted under subsection (1)(c) specifically concerning funerals or funeral processions.) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-501 |
| Fine | up to 750 usd (no statutory minimum) (Violation of order, rule, or regulation concerning funerals or funeral processions — Applies when a person violates an order, rule, or regulation adopted under subsection (1)(c) specifically concerning funerals or funeral processions.) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-501 |
Applies to offenses on/after 2022-03-01 (SB21-271).
How is unlawful conduct on public property classified in Colorado?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| General violation of order, rule, or regulation under subsection (1) | petty offense | Applies to any person who violates subsection (1) generally, except where subsections (3)(b) or (3)(c) apply. | 18-9-117(3)(a) |
| Violation of fire-related order, rule, or regulation | class 2 misdemeanor | Applies when a person violates an order, rule, or regulation adopted under subsection (1)(g) concerning control and limitation of fires. | 18-9-117(3)(b) |
| Violation of order, rule, or regulation concerning funerals or funeral processions | class 2 misdemeanor | Applies when a person violates an order, rule, or regulation adopted under subsection (1)(c) specifically concerning funerals or funeral processions. | 18-9-117(3)(c) |
Common questions about unlawful conduct on public property in Colorado
Is unlawful conduct on public property a felony or a misdemeanor in Colorado?
It depends on the circumstances: unlawful conduct on public property ranges from a petty offense to a class 2 misdemeanor in Colorado under C.R.S. § 18-9-117.
General violation of order, rule, or regulation under subsection (1): petty offense (C.R.S. § 18-9-117(3)(a)) · Violation of fire-related order, rule, or regulation: class 2 misdemeanor (C.R.S. § 18-9-117(3)(b)) · Violation of order, rule, or regulation concerning funerals or funeral processions: class 2 misdemeanor (C.R.S. § 18-9-117(3)(c))
What are the penalties for unlawful conduct on public property in Colorado?
Penalties for unlawful conduct on public property in Colorado depend on how it is classified — from a petty offense 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 unlawful conduct on public property?
Unlawful conduct on public property is governed by C.R.S. § 18-9-117 (Unlawful conduct on public property).
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.