Colorado § 42-20-113 - Hazardous materials spill - abandonment of vehicle containing hazardous material - penalty - definition.
Full text of Colorado Colorado Revised Statutes § 42-20-113 — Hazardous materials spill - abandonment of vehicle containing hazardous material - penalty - definition., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 42-20-113. Hazardous materials spill - abandonment of vehicle containing hazardous material - penalty - definition.
(1) No person shall abandon any vehicle containing any hazardous material excluding that which is considered fuel and is contained within the vehicle's fuel tank or shall intentionally spill hazardous materials 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.
(2) (a) As used in this section, "abandon" means to leave a thing with the intention not to retain possession of or assert ownership or control over it. The intent need not coincide with the act of leaving.
(b) It is prima facie evidence of the necessary intent that:
(I) The vehicle has been left for more than three days unattended and unmoved; or
(II) License plates or other identifying marks have been removed from the vehicle; or
(III) The vehicle has been damaged or is deteriorated so extensively that it has value only for junk or salvage; or
(IV) The owner has been notified by a law enforcement agency to remove the vehicle and it has not been removed within twenty-four hours after notification.
(3) The driver of a motor vehicle transporting hazardous materials as cargo which is involved in a hazardous materials spill, whether intentional or unintentional, shall give immediate notice of the location of such spill and such other information as necessary to the nearest law enforcement agency.
(4) Any person who violates the provisions of subsection (3) of this section commits a class 2 misdemeanor and shall be punished as provided in section 18-1.3-501.
Source: L. 94: Entire title amended with relocations, p. 2521, § 1, effective January 1, 1995. L. 2002: (4) amended, p. 1565, § 383, effective October 1. L. 2021: (4) amended, (SB 21-271), ch. 462, p. 3324, § 773, effective March 1, 2022.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 43-6-113 as it existed prior to 1994.
Cross references: For the legislative declaration contained in the 2002 act amending subsection (4), see section 1 of chapter 318, Session Laws of Colorado 2002.
PART 2
PERMIT SYSTEM FOR HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
Source: official Colorado text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Colorado § 42-20-113
What does Colorado Revised Statutes § 42-20-113 cover?
Section 42-20-113 ("Hazardous materials spill - abandonment of vehicle containing hazardous material - penalty - definition.") 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 § 42-20-113?
A common citation format is "Colorado Revised Statutes § 42-20-113" (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 § 42-20-113 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
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