Littering
C.R.S. 18-4-511 — a mandatory fine of $20 to $500 the first time, and a court date, not a mailed ticket
Littering is depositing, throwing or leaving any litter on public or private property or in any water. Property here includes road rights of way, lakes and streams with their shores and frozen surfaces, parks, playgrounds, and farm, ranch and timber land.
Who handles this in Colorado: legal aid programs and the state offices, listed in the Colorado directory.
| Conviction | Mandatory fine |
|---|---|
| ConvictionFirst | Mandatory fine$20 to $500 |
| ConvictionSecond | Mandatory fine$50 to $1,000 |
| ConvictionThird or later | Mandatory fine$100 to $1,000 |
The driver is presumed to have done it. Litter thrown from a motor vehicle is presumed to be the operator's doing. An officer must issue a summons to appear in court; a penalty assessment cannot be used for littering.
The fines are adjusted every year for inflation. A court can suspend the part of a fine above the minimum in exchange for at least eight hours of litter pickup, or sixteen for a repeat. Whether a particular charge fits is a question for a licensed Colorado attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- C.R.S. 18-4-511 — Littering of public or private property - repeal
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Colorado attorney.