COLORADO Arson LAW
Colorado Revised Statutes define Arson as intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly setting a structure or property on fire, burning, or using an explosive to damage or destroy your own property or the property of another without their consent.
There are four types of Arson charges in Colorado:
The type of arson charged will be determined by the type of property damaged, whose property was damaged, the value of the property, and whether the fire was set intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly.
If you are charged with Arson, you need an experienced Colorado arson attorney to help you with your case. Please contact the firm at (303) 552-1720 or schedule a consultation appointment right away.
C.R.S. 18-4-102 - First Degree Arson
A person who knowingly sets fire to, burns, causes to be burned, or by the use of any explosive damages or destroys, or causes to be damaged or destroyed, any building or occupied structure of another without his consent commits first degree arson.
First Degree Arson is a Class 3 Felony if the if the arson is of an occupied structure, or a Class 4 felony if the arson is to a building. This class of arson is also considered a crime of violence if it is committed by the use of any explosive, which will bring on more severe sentencing.
C.R.S. 18-4-103 - Second Degree Arson
A person who knowingly sets fire to, burns, causes to be burned, or by the use of any explosive damages or destroys, or causes to be damaged or destroyed, any property of another without his consent, other than a building or occupied structure, commits second degree arson.
(a) A petty offense if the value of the property is less than three hundred dollars;
(b) A class 2 misdemeanor if the value of the property is three hundred dollars or more but less than one thousand dollars;
(c) A class 1 misdemeanor if the value of the property is one thousand dollars or more but less than two thousand dollars;
(d) A class 6 felony if the value of the property is two thousand dollars or more but less than five thousand dollars;
(e) A class 5 felony if the value of the property is five thousand dollars or more but less than twenty thousand dollars;
(f) A class 4 felony if the value of the property is twenty thousand dollars or more but less than one hundred thousand dollars;
(g) A class 3 felony if the value of the property is one hundred thousand dollars or more but less than one million dollars; and
(h) A class 2 felony if the value of the property is one million dollars or more.
C.R.S. 18-4-104 - Third Degree Arson
A person who, by means of fire or explosives, intentionally damages any property with intent to defraud commits third degree arson.
Third Degree Arson is a Class 5 Felony.
C.R.S. 18-4-105 - Fourth Degree Arson
A person who knowingly or recklessly starts or maintains a fire or causes an explosion, on his own property or that of another, and by so doing places another in danger of death or serious bodily injury or places any building or occupied structure of another in danger of damage commits fourth degree arson.
Fourth Degree Arson is a Class 4 Felony if a person is endangered.
Fourth Degree Arson is:
(a) A petty offense if only property is thus endangered and the value of the property is less than three hundred dollars;
(b) A class 2 misdemeanor if only property is thus endangered and the value of the property is three hundred dollars or more but less than one thousand dollars;
(c) A class 1 misdemeanor if only property is thus endangered and the value of the property is one thousand dollars or more but less than two thousand dollars;
(d) A class 6 felony if only property is thus endangered and the value of the property is two thousand dollars or more but less than five thousand dollars;
(e) A class 5 felony if only property is thus endangered and the value of the property is five thousand dollars or more but less than twenty thousand dollars;
(f) A class 4 felony if only property is thus endangered and the value of the property is twenty thousand dollars or more but less than one hundred thousand dollars;
(g) A class 3 felony if only property is thus endangered and the value of the property is one hundred thousand dollars or more but less than one million dollars; and
(h) A class 2 felony if only property is thus endangered and the value of the property is one million dollars or more.