# C.R.S. § 18-4-409.5: 18-4-409.5. Unauthorized use of a motor vehicle - definition

> Colorado · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A4_P4_S18-4-409.5

## Section

- **Citation:** C.R.S. § 18-4-409.5
- **Heading:** 18-4-409.5. Unauthorized use of a motor vehicle - definition
- **Jurisdiction:** Colorado
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** CO Code / Title 18 / Article 4 / Part 4 / Section 18-4-409.5

## Text

18-4-409.5. Unauthorized use of a motor vehicle - definition. (1) A person commits unauthorized use of a motor vehicle if the person obtains or exercises control over the motor vehicle of another person without authorization of the owner and:

(a) The person does not commit a criminal offense other than a misdemeanor traffic offense except eluding a police officer as described in section 42-4-1413 in the course of obtaining control over or in the exercise of control of a motor vehicle; and

(b) The motor vehicle is returned to the owner or recovered by law enforcement within twenty-four hours after being reported as missing or stolen by the owner, with no damage to the motor vehicle.

(2) Unauthorized use of a motor vehicle is a class 1 misdemeanor; except that a second or subsequent offense for a violation of this section is a class 5 felony.

(3) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires, "motor vehicle" has the same meaning as defined in section 18-4-409.

## Nearby sections

- [C.R.S. § 18-4-401 18-4-401. Theft](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A4_P4_S18-4-401.md)
- [C.R.S. § 18-4-402 18-4-402. Theft of rental property](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A4_P4_S18-4-402.md)
- [C.R.S. § 18-4-403 18-4-403. Statutory intent](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A4_P4_S18-4-403.md)
- [C.R.S. § 18-4-404 18-4-404. Obtaining control over any stolen thing of value - conviction](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A4_P4_S18-4-404.md)
- [C.R.S. § 18-4-405 18-4-405. Rights in stolen property](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A4_P4_S18-4-405.md)
- [C.R.S. § 18-4-406 18-4-406. Concealment of goods](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A4_P4_S18-4-406.md)
- [C.R.S. § 18-4-407 18-4-407. Questioning of person suspected of theft without liability](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A4_P4_S18-4-407.md)
- [C.R.S. § 18-4-408 18-4-408. Theft of trade secrets - penalty](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A4_P4_S18-4-408.md)
- [C.R.S. § 18-4-409 18-4-409. Motor vehicle theft - definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A4_P4_S18-4-409.md)
- [C.R.S. § 18-4-409.5 18-4-409.5. Unauthorized use of a motor vehicle - definition](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A4_P4_S18-4-409.5.md)
- [C.R.S. § 18-4-410 18-4-410. Theft by receiving](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A4_P4_S18-4-410.md)
- [C.R.S. § 18-4-411 18-4-411. Transactions for profit in stolen goods](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A4_P4_S18-4-411.md)
- [C.R.S. § 18-4-411.5 18-4-411.5. Interagency task force on organized retail theft - legislative declaration - rep](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A4_P4_S18-4-411.5.md)
- [C.R.S. § 18-4-412 18-4-412. Theft of medical records or medical information - penalty - definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A4_P4_S18-4-412.md)

---

Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A4_P4_S18-4-409.5. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.