C.R.S. Section 18-4-420
Chop shop activity

  • ownership or operation of a chop shop
  • altered or removed identification number
  • penalties
  • definitions

(1)

A person commits ownership or operation of a chop shop if he or she knowingly:

(a)

Owns or operates a chop shop, knowing that it is a chop shop, or conspires with another person to own or operate a chop shop, knowing that it is a chop shop;

(b)

Transports an unlawfully obtained motor vehicle or major component motor vehicle part to or from a chop shop, knowing that it is a chop shop; or

(c)

Sells or transfers to, or purchases or receives from, a chop shop, knowing that it is a chop shop, an unlawfully obtained motor vehicle or major component motor vehicle part.

(2)

A violation of paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of this section is a class 4 felony. A violation of paragraph (b) or (c) of subsection (1) of this section is a class 5 felony.

(3)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a)

A person commits altering or removing a vehicle identification number if he or she knowingly:

(I)

Removes, changes, alters, counterfeits, defaces, destroys, disguises, falsifies, forges, or obliterates the vehicle identification number, manufacturer’s number, or engine number of a motor vehicle or major component motor vehicle part with an intent to misrepresent the identity or prevent the identification of a motor vehicle or major component motor vehicle part; or

(II)

Possesses, purchases, disposes of, sells, or transfers a motor vehicle or a major component motor vehicle part with knowledge that it contains a removed, changed, altered, counterfeited, defaced, destroyed, disguised, falsified, forged, or obliterated vehicle identification number, manufacturer’s number, or engine number unless such motor vehicle or major component motor vehicle part is otherwise in compliance with the provisions of section 42-5-110, C.R.S.

(b)

This subsection (3) does not apply to a private party or to an agent of a private party that is acting with the authorization of a law enforcement agency to lawfully seize, retain, recycle, transport, or otherwise dispose of a motor vehicle or major component motor vehicle part with a vehicle identification number, manufacturer number, or engine number that is removed, changed, altered, counterfeited, defaced, destroyed, disguised, falsified, forged, or obliterated.

(4)

Altering or removing a vehicle identification number is a class 5 felony.

(5)

As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:

(a)

“Chop shop” means any building, lot, facility, or other structure or premise where:

(I)

Any person or persons possess, receive, store, disassemble, or alter, including the alteration or concealment of any identifying feature or number, an unlawfully obtained motor vehicle or major component motor vehicle part for the purpose of using, selling, or disposing of the motor vehicle or major component motor vehicle part; or

(II)

Two or more unlawfully obtained motor vehicles are present for the purpose of alteration, sale, or disposal; or

(III)

Six or more unlawfully obtained major component motor vehicle parts from two or more motor vehicles are present for the purpose of alteration, sale, or disposal.

(b)

“Major component motor vehicle part” means any of the following parts of a motor vehicle:

(I)

The engine;

(II)

The transmission;

(III)

A front fender;

(IV)

The hood;

(V)

Any door allowing entrance to or egress from the passenger compartment of the vehicle;

(VI)

The front or rear bumper;

(VII)

A rear quarter panel;

(VIII)

The deck lid, tailgate, or hatchback;

(IX)

The trunk floor pan;

(X)

The cargo box of a pickup truck;

(XI)

The frame, or if the vehicle has a unitized body, the supporting structure or structures that serve as the frame;

(XII)

The cab of a truck;

(XIII)

The body of a passenger vehicle;

(XIV)

An airbag or airbag assembly;

(XV)

A wheel or tire;

(XVI)

A catalytic converter; or

(XVII)

Any other part of a motor vehicle that is comparable in design or function to any of the parts that have been listed, or that have been labeled with a unique traceable identification number.

(c)

“Motor vehicle” means all vehicles of whatever description that are propelled by any power other than muscular power; except that “motor vehicle” does not include vehicles that run on rails.

(d)

“Unlawfully obtained” means obtained by theft, fraud, or deceit or obtained without the permission of the owner.

Source: Section 18-4-420 — Chop shop activity - ownership or operation of a chop shop - altered or removed identification number - penalties - definitions, https://leg.­colorado.­gov/sites/default/files/images/olls/crs2023-title-18.­pdf (accessed Oct. 20, 2023).

18‑4‑101
Definitions 18‑4‑102
First degree arson 18‑4‑103
Second degree arson 18‑4‑104
Third degree arson 18‑4‑105
Fourth degree arson 18‑4‑201
Definitions 18‑4‑202
First degree burglary 18‑4‑203
Second degree burglary 18‑4‑204
Third degree burglary 18‑4‑205
Possession of burglary tools 18‑4‑301
Robbery 18‑4‑302
Aggravated robbery 18‑4‑305
Use of photographs, video tapes, or films of property 18‑4‑401
Theft 18‑4‑403
Statutory intent 18‑4‑404
Obtaining control over any stolen thing of value - conviction 18‑4‑405
Rights in stolen property 18‑4‑406
Concealment of goods 18‑4‑407
Questioning of person suspected of theft without liability 18‑4‑408
Theft of trade secrets - penalty 18‑4‑409
Motor vehicle theft - definitions 18‑4‑409.5
Unauthorized use of a motor vehicle - definition 18‑4‑411
Transactions for profit in stolen goods 18‑4‑412
Theft of medical records or medical information - penalty - definitions 18‑4‑413
Mandatory sentencing for repeated felony theft from a store - store defined 18‑4‑414
Evidence of value 18‑4‑415
Use of photographs, video tapes, or films of property 18‑4‑416
Theft by resale of a lift ticket or coupon 18‑4‑417
Unlawful acts - theft detection devices 18‑4‑420
Chop shop activity - ownership or operation of a chop shop - altered or removed identification number - penalties - definitions 18‑4‑501
Criminal mischief 18‑4‑502
First degree criminal trespass 18‑4‑503
Second degree criminal trespass 18‑4‑504
Third degree criminal trespass 18‑4‑504.5
Definition of premises 18‑4‑505
First degree criminal tampering 18‑4‑506
Second degree criminal tampering 18‑4‑506.3
Tampering with equipment associated with oil or gas gathering operations - penalty 18‑4‑506.5
Tampering with a utility meter - penalty 18‑4‑507
Defacing or destruction of written instruments 18‑4‑508
Defacing, destroying, or removing landmarks, monuments, or accessories 18‑4‑509
Defacing a cave - definitions 18‑4‑510
Defacing posted notice 18‑4‑511
Littering of public or private property - repeal 18‑4‑512
Abandonment of a motor vehicle 18‑4‑513
Criminal use of a noxious substance 18‑4‑514
Use of photographs, video tapes, or films of property 18‑4‑515
Entry to survey property - exception to criminal trespass 18‑4‑516
Criminal operation of a device in motion picture theater 18‑4‑601
Definitions 18‑4‑602
Unlawful transfer for sale 18‑4‑603
Unlawful trafficking in unlawfully transferred articles 18‑4‑604
Dealing in unlawfully packaged recorded articles 18‑4‑604.3
Unlawful recording of a live performance 18‑4‑604.7
Trafficking in unlawfully recorded live performance 18‑4‑605
Applicability 18‑4‑606
Confiscation and disposition of items 18‑4‑607
Restitution 18‑4‑701
Theft of cable service - definitions 18‑4‑702
Civil action - damages 18‑4‑703
Severability
Green check means up to date. Up to date

Current through Fall 2024

§ 18-4-420’s source at colorado​.gov