Colorado § 37-89-101 - Penalty for cutting or breaking gate, bank, or flume.
Full text of Colorado Colorado Revised Statutes § 37-89-101 — Penalty for cutting or breaking gate, bank, or flume., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 37-89-101. Penalty for cutting or breaking gate, bank, or flume.
Any person who knowingly and willfully cuts, digs, breaks down, or opens any gate, bank, embankment, or side of any ditch, canal, flume, feeder, or reservoir, or who knowingly and willfully breaks, cuts, checks, or otherwise interferes with the flow of water in any drainage ditch, box drain, or tile drain, or any manhole, or other opening in any box drain or tile drain, in which such person may be a joint owner, or which may be the property of another, or in the lawful possession of another and used for the purpose of drainage, irrigation, manufacturing, mining, or domestic purposes, with intent to injure any person, association, or corporation, or for personal gain, unlawfully, with intent of stealing, taking, or causing to run or pour out of or into such ditch, canal, reservoir, feeder, flume, drainage ditch, box drain, or tile drain any water for personal profit, benefit, or advantage, or with intent to check or change the flow in any such ditch, canal, feeder, flume, drainage ditch, box drain, or tile drain, to the injury of any other person, association, or corporation, lawfully in the use of such water or of such ditch, canal, reservoir, feeder, flume, drainage ditch, box drain, or tile drain commits a class 2 misdemeanor. The court shall further order that such person make full restitution to the victim of the person's conduct for the actual damages that were sustained. The amount of such restitution shall be equal to the actual pecuniary damages sustained by the victim. The court shall fix the manner and time in which such restitution shall be made.
Source: L. 1881: p. 163, § 1. G.S. § 1759. R.S. 08: § 3495. L. 21: p. 476, § 1. C.L. § 1929. CSA: C. 90, § 346. CRS 53: § 147-16-1. C.R.S. 1963: § 148-16-1. L. 2001: Entire section amended, p. 988, § 1, effective August 8. L. 2021: Entire section amended, (SB 21-271), ch. 462, p. 3291, § 678, effective March 1, 2022.
Cross references: For the penalty of damaging a ditch or flume, see § 7-42-109; for trespass, tampering, and criminal mischief, see part 5 of article 4 of title 18.
Source: official Colorado text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Colorado § 37-89-101
What does Colorado Revised Statutes § 37-89-101 cover?
Section 37-89-101 ("Penalty for cutting or breaking gate, bank, or flume.") is part of the Colorado Revised Statutes, the codified statutory law of Colorado. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Colorado § 37-89-101?
A common citation format is "Colorado Revised Statutes § 37-89-101" (Colorado). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Colorado law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Colorado official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Colorado attorney.
How does Colorado § 37-89-101 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Colorado can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Colorado.