SB 23-097

Senate Bill 23-097 changes Colorado’s laws on car theft and unauthorized use of vehicles. It simplifies the classification of car theft into three degrees, with penalties no longer based on the value of the stolen vehicle but rather the severity of the offense. The bill also introduces a new crime called "unauthorized use of a motor vehicle," which is punishable as a misdemeanor or felony depending on whether it's a repeat offense. This bill was signed by the governor and went into effect on July 1, 2023, meaning these changes are now law in Colorado.

Official Summary

Current law criminalizes auto theft as "aggravated motor vehicle theft in the first degree" and "aggravated motor vehicle theft in the second degree." The penalties for both aggravated motor vehicle thefts are based on the value of the vehicle or vehicles stolen. The act changes the term "aggravated motor vehicle theft" to "motor vehicle theft," changes the elements for motor vehicle theft in the first degree and second degree, and creates the offense of motor vehicle theft in the third degree. The penalties for motor vehicle theft are no longer based on the value of the vehicle or vehicles stolen. The act makes motor vehicle theft in the first degree a class 3 felony, motor vehicle theft in the second degree a class 4 felony, and motor vehicle theft in the third degree a class 5 felony. The act creates the offense "unauthorized use of a motor vehicle" and makes it a class 1 misdemeanor, or a class 5 felony for a second or subsequent offense. For the 2023-24 state fiscal year, $24,409 is appropriated from the Colorado DRIVES vehicle services account in the highway users tax fund to the division of motor vehicles in the department of revenue for DRIVES maintenance and support. APPROVED by Governor June 2, 2023 EFFECTIVE July 1, 2023 (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

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