Hit and Run Laws Traffic Laws Criminal Law

Colorado

Colorado Hit and Run Laws: Penalties and What to Do

By Recording Law Editorial TeamPublished January 10, 202212 min read

Under C.R.S. 42-4-1601, Colorado drivers involved in any accident must stop, exchange information, and render aid. Failing to do so is a hit-and-run offense that ranges from a class 2 misdemeanor for property damage to a class 3 felony carrying 4 to 12 years in prison when someone dies.

Hurt in a hit-and-run? If the driver who hit you fled or had no insurance, your own uninsured/underinsured-motorist (UM/UIM) coverage may pay your injury claim. Estimate what it could be worth with our free Colorado Car Accident Settlement Calculator.

Last verified: March 2026. This article reflects current Colorado Revised Statutes Title 42 and Title 18.

Colorado law treats leaving the scene of an accident as a serious offense. Whether the crash involves only property damage or results in death, drivers have a legal duty to stop, exchange information, and render aid. Failing to do so can lead to misdemeanor or felony charges, prison time, steep fines, and the loss of your driver's license.

This guide covers every part of Colorado's hit and run statutes, the penalty tiers for each level of harm, your obligations as a driver, and what victims should do to protect their rights.

Colorado's Hit and Run Statutes

Two primary statutes govern hit and run offenses in Colorado:

Colorado hospital emergency entrance sign illuminated at twilight

CRS 42-4-1601 applies when an accident results in injury, serious bodily injury, or death.
CRS 42-4-1602 applies when an accident results only in property damage.

Both statutes require the driver to stop immediately at the scene or as close to it as safely possible. The driver must stay until all legal obligations are met.

Your Legal Obligations Under CRS 42-4-1603

After stopping, Colorado law requires you to:

Provide your name, address, and vehicle registration number to the other driver or to law enforcement
Show your driver's license if asked
Provide your insurance information
Render reasonable assistance to any injured person, including arranging transportation to a medical facility
Report to the nearest law enforcement office if no officer is present at the scene

Staying Is Not a Crime

CRS 42-4-1601(1.5) makes an important distinction. If you stop, fulfill all the requirements of CRS 42-4-1601 and 42-4-1603, and then leave the scene to report the accident under CRS 42-4-1606, you have committed no offense. Hit and run only becomes a crime when you flee without meeting your obligations.

Penalties for Hit and Run in Colorado

Colorado organizes hit and run penalties into four tiers based on the severity of harm caused.

Property Damage Only (CRS 42-4-1602)

Detail	Information
Classification	Class 2 misdemeanor traffic offense
Jail	10 to 90 days
Fine	$150 to $300
License points	12 points added to driving record
License action	Suspension triggered by point accumulation

If you hit an unattended vehicle or other property and cannot locate the owner, you must leave a written notice with your name, address, and a description of what happened in a visible spot on the damaged property. You must also promptly notify law enforcement.

Injury (Non-Serious)

Detail	Information
Classification	Class 1 misdemeanor traffic offense
Jail	10 days to 12 months
Fine	$300 to $1,000
License action	Mandatory revocation upon conviction

Colorado defines "injury" as physical pain, illness, or any impairment of physical or mental condition. Even minor injuries qualify.

Serious Bodily Injury

Detail	Information
Classification	Class 4 felony
Prison	2 to 6 years
Fine	$2,000 to $500,000
Mandatory parole	3 years
License action	Mandatory revocation upon conviction

"Serious bodily injury" means an injury involving a substantial risk of death, serious permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of any body part or organ. Broken bones, third-degree burns, and injuries requiring surgery generally qualify.

Death

Detail	Information
Classification	Class 3 felony
Prison	4 to 12 years
Fine	$3,000 to $750,000
Mandatory parole	3 years (up to 5 years if classified as extraordinary risk)
License action	Mandatory revocation upon conviction

License Consequences

A hit and run conviction carries serious consequences for your driving privileges:

12 points are added to your driving record for any hit and run conviction.
Accumulating 12 or more points in a 12-month period triggers an automatic license suspension by the Colorado DMV.
For felony-level offenses (serious bodily injury or death), the DMV will revoke your license entirely upon conviction.
Reinstatement after revocation requires meeting all DMV conditions, which may include an SR-22 insurance filing and completion of a defensive driving course.

Accident Reporting Requirements

Colorado law (CRS 42-4-1606) requires drivers to file an accident report using Form DR 2447 with the Colorado DMV within 60 days of any crash that causes injury or property damage.

You may file in person at a DMV office or online through the Colorado DMV website.
Filing is not required if a law enforcement officer responded to the scene and completed a report.
Failure to file within 60 days is a class 2 misdemeanor traffic offense carrying 10 to 90 days in jail and $150 to $300 in fines.

DUI Combined with Hit and Run

Driving under the influence combined with leaving the scene creates compounding charges. Prosecutors frequently stack hit and run charges with vehicular assault or vehicular homicide.

Vehicular Assault While Intoxicated (CRS 18-3-205)

Detail	Information
Classification	Class 4 felony
Prison	2 to 6 years
Mandatory parole	3 years
Additional	License revocation for at least 1 year, restitution to victim

Vehicular Homicide While Intoxicated (CRS 18-3-106)

Detail	Information
Classification	Class 3 felony
Prison	4 to 12 years
Fine	Up to $750,000
Mandatory parole	5 years
Additional	License revocation, restitution to victim's family

When DUI vehicular homicide is charged together with leaving the scene of a fatal accident, the criminal statute of limitations extends from 5 years to 10 years.

Statutes of Limitations

Both criminal and civil time limits apply to hit and run cases in Colorado.

Criminal Statutes of Limitations

Charge	Time Limit
Misdemeanor hit and run	18 months
Felony hit and run (serious injury)	5 years
Vehicular homicide	5 years
Vehicular homicide combined with hit and run	10 years

Civil Statutes of Limitations

Claim Type	Time Limit
Personal injury (bodily harm)	3 years from date of injury
Wrongful death	2 years from date of death
Wrongful death from hit-and-run vehicular homicide	4 years from date of death
Property damage	3 years from date of damage

Insurance Implications for Hit and Run Victims

When a hit and run driver flees and cannot be identified, victims can turn to their own insurance for coverage.

Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage

Colorado law (CRS 10-4-609) requires insurance companies to include uninsured motorist coverage in every auto policy unless the policyholder declines it in writing. UM coverage treats a hit and run driver as an uninsured motorist.

UM coverage can pay for:

Medical bills and rehabilitation costs
Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Property damage (if UM property damage coverage is included)

Key Points About UM Claims

UM coverage follows the insured person, not the vehicle. You are covered whether you are driving your own car, riding as a passenger, or walking as a pedestrian.
You must file a police report to support a UM claim for a hit and run.
Your UM claim does not count as an at-fault claim and should not raise your premiums.

Proving Fault in Colorado

Colorado is an at-fault state that uses negligence principles. To hold the other driver responsible, you must show:

The other driver owed you a duty of care on the road
They breached that duty through their actions or inaction
Their breach directly caused your injuries or property damage
You suffered actual damages as a result

Common Forms of Negligence

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
Speeding or driving too fast for conditions
Unsafe lane changes
Following too closely (tailgating)
Running red lights or stop signs
Distracted driving (texting, phone use)
Road rage

Do not admit fault at the scene. Statements like "I didn't see you" or "I'm sorry" can be used against you in both criminal and civil proceedings.

Legal Defenses for Hit and Run Charges

Several defenses may apply depending on the circumstances:

Fear for Personal Safety

If remaining at the scene would have placed you in danger of death, injury, or further property damage, leaving may be justified. You must report to law enforcement as soon as possible and document the threat.

Incapacitation

If you were injured in the crash and physically unable to stop or provide information, this can serve as a defense.

Left to Seek Help

If you left the scene specifically to find medical assistance for the victim and returned promptly, this may reduce or eliminate liability.

Lack of Knowledge

If you genuinely did not know an accident occurred (for example, a minor contact at highway speed), the prosecution must prove you knew or should have known about the collision.

What to Do After an Accident in Colorado

If You Are the Driver

Stop immediately at the scene or as close as safely possible.
Move your vehicle out of traffic flow if the accident involves only property damage.
Do not move your vehicle if there are injuries or a death, unless law enforcement instructs you to.
Call 911 for any injuries.
Render reasonable assistance to injured persons.
Exchange information: name, address, registration, insurance, and driver's license.
Report to law enforcement if no officer is present.
File Form DR 2447 with the Colorado DMV within 60 days (unless police filed a report).
Contact your insurance company promptly.
Speak with an attorney before making detailed statements beyond the basic required information.

If You Are the Victim

Call 911 and request both police and medical assistance.
Document everything: take photographs of the scene, vehicle damage, and your injuries.
Write down or photograph the fleeing vehicle's license plate, make, model, and color.
Collect contact information from any witnesses.
Look for nearby surveillance cameras or dashcam footage.
Seek medical treatment promptly and keep all records and receipts.
File a police report as soon as possible.
Contact your insurance company to file a UM claim.
Consult with an attorney about both criminal victim rights and civil claims.

Notable Colorado Hit and Run Cases

Parafencer Death Case (2024)

A driver was sentenced to prison in May 2025 for a 2024 hit and run that killed a beloved parafencer in Lakewood. The driver faced charges including leaving the scene of a crash involving death, tampering with physical evidence, possession of a controlled substance, and driving after revocation. The case showed how prosecutors combine hit and run with evidence tampering and drug charges for longer sentences.

Commerce City Teen Death (2024)

Two people were arrested in August 2025 in connection with a 2024 fatal hit and run that killed a teenager in Commerce City. The case resulted in a seven-year prison sentence, illustrating the serious consequences for fatal hit and run incidents.

16th Street Mall Incident (2025)

In October 2025, a pedestrian was struck and killed near Denver's 16th Street Mall. A suspect was arrested just hours later and three blocks away. The rapid arrest demonstrated how urban surveillance and witness reports help police identify hit and run suspects quickly.

I-25 Fatal Hit and Run (2025)

In July 2025, Denver police arrested a suspect for a deadly hit and run on Interstate 25. Interstate incidents are often harder to investigate because of high speeds and multiple lanes, making the arrest notable.

Colorado Crash Statistics

Colorado has seen troubling trends in traffic safety:

Pedestrian crashes in Denver: In 2024, 590 crashes involved pedestrians, representing nearly 4% of all accidents in the city.
Pedestrian fatalities: Colorado recorded 47 pedestrian fatalities in the first half of 2024, a 24% decrease from the same period in 2023.
Four-year trend: Auto-pedestrian deaths increased for four consecutive years statewide before showing improvement in 2024.
Vision Zero: Denver tracks fatal and serious injury crashes through its Vision Zero initiative to identify and implement safety improvements.

More Colorado Laws

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the statute of limitations for hit and run in Colorado?

Criminal: misdemeanor hit and run must be charged within 18 months; felony hit and run within 5 years; vehicular homicide combined with hit and run within 10 years. Civil: personal injury claims must be filed within 3 years; wrongful death within 2 years (or 4 years if the death resulted from a hit-and-run vehicular homicide).

Is it a crime if I stop and help but was at fault for the accident?

No. Under CRS 42-4-1601(1.5), if you stop and fulfill all statutory requirements (exchanging information, rendering aid, reporting), you have committed no hit and run offense. Civil liability for causing the accident is a separate matter from criminal hit and run charges.

How long do I have to file an accident report in Colorado?

You have 60 days to file Form DR 2447 with the Colorado DMV. You may file in person or online. Filing is not required if a law enforcement officer responded to the scene and completed a report.

Can I be charged with hit and run if I did not cause the accident?

Yes. Hit and run charges are based on leaving the scene without fulfilling your legal obligations, not on who caused the collision. Every driver involved in an accident has a duty to stop and comply with CRS 42-4-1601 and 42-4-1603.

Does my insurance cover me if I am a hit and run victim?

If you carry uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, your policy treats a hit and run driver as an uninsured motorist. UM coverage can pay for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Colorado law requires insurers to include UM coverage unless you decline it in writing.

Injured in Colorado? Get a free case review from a personal-injury attorney

If someone else's negligence caused your injury, you may be owed compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Get a free, no-obligation review from a Colorado personal-injury attorney. Most work on contingency, so there is no upfront cost.

The Law Behind This Article

This article rests on the statutory provisions below, held in our own legal record and retrieved from the official source. Tap a section to read the operative text.

Colorado Revised Statutes, Title 10: Insurance

§ 10-4-609Insurance protection against uninsured motorists - applicabilityIn forcecited in 2 of our articles

(1) (a) (I) Except as described in subsection (1)(a)(II) of this section, an automobile liability or motor vehicle liability policy insuring against loss resulting from liability imposed by law for bodily injury or death suffered by any person arising out of the ownership, maintenance, or use of a motor vehicle, which policy is delivered or issued for delivery in this state with respect to any motor vehicle licensed for highway use in this state, must provide coverage or supplemental coverage, in limits for bodily injury or death set forth in section 42-7-103 (2), under provisions approved by the commissioner, for the protection of persons insured under the policy who are legally entitled to recover damages from owners or operators of uninsured motor vehicles because of bodily injury, sickness, or disease, including death, resulting from a motor vehicle accident.

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at olls.info

Cited in 49 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2025

Opinions citing this section in our collection:

Allstate Insurance Co. v. Huizar (Supreme Court of Colorado 2002, 52 P.3d 816)“…izar v. Allstate Ins. Co., 952 P.2d 342 (Colo.1998) and Colo.Rev.Stat. § 10-4-609 as creating a public policy or statutor…”
USAA v. Parker (Supreme Court of Colorado 2009, 200 P.3d 350)“…nt of underinsured benefits as required by Colorado statute C.R.S. 10-4-609," the UM/UIM statute, and that "USAA is…”
Bernal v. Lumbermens Mutual Casualty Co. (Colorado Court of Appeals 2003, 97 P.3d 197)“…pressed legislative purpose, unless expressly authorized by C.R.S. § 10-4-609(1), restrictions on UM/UIM protection a…”

Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.

Also relied on in: Colorado Car Accident Laws: Fault, Insurance, and Your Claim

Colorado Revised Statutes, Title 18: Criminal Code

§ 18-3-106Vehicular homicideIn force

(1) (a) If a person operates or drives a motor vehicle in a reckless manner, and such conduct is the proximate cause of the death of another, such person commits vehicular homicide. (b) (I) If a person operates or drives a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or one or more drugs, or a combination of both alcohol and one or more drugs, and such conduct is the proximate cause of the death of another, such person commits vehicular homicide. This is a strict liability crime. (I.5) If a person operates or drives a motor vehicle while the person's ability is impaired by alcohol or one or more drugs, or a combination of both alcohol and one or more drugs, and such conduct is the proximate cause of the death of another, the person commits the crime of vehicular homicide. (II) For the purposes of this subsection (1), one or more drugs means any drug, as defined in section 27-80-203 (13), C.R.S., any controlled substance, as defined in section 18-18-102 (5), and any inhaled glue, aerosol, or other toxic vapor or vapors, as defined in section 18-18-412.

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at olls.info

Cited in 4 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2012

Opinions citing this section in our collection:

People v. Miranda (Supreme Court of Colorado 2007, 168 P.3d 11)“…f vehicular homicide, a class three felony, in violation of C.R.S. § 18-3-106(F)b)(D. Further, Respondent's convictio…”
Miranda v. People (Supreme Court of Colorado 2012, 276 P.3d 122)“…hicular homicide/DUI, a class three felony, in violation of C.R.S. § 18-3-106(1)(b)(I). [11] On December 2, 2005, he…”
United States v. Gomez-Leon (Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit 2008, 545 F.3d 777)“…by State v. Taylor, 463 So.2d 1274, 1275 (La. 1985)); Colo.Rev.Stat. § 18-3-106 (offense of "vehicular homicide” is a s…”

Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.

Colorado Revised Statutes, Title 42: Vehicles and Traffic

§ 42-4-1601Accidents involving death or personal injuries - dutiesIn force

(1) The driver of any vehicle directly involved in an accident resulting in injury to, serious bodily injury to, or death of any person shall immediately stop such vehicle at the scene of such accident or as close to the scene as possible or shall immediately return to the scene of the accident. The driver shall then remain at the scene of the accident until the driver has fulfilled the requirements of section 42-4-1603 (1). Every such stop shall be made without obstructing traffic more than is necessary. (1.5) It shall not be an offense under this section if a driver, after fulfilling the requirements of subsection (1) of this section and of section 42-4-1603 (1), leaves the scene of the accident for the purpose of reporting the accident in accordance with the provisions of sections 42-4-1603 (2) and 42-4-1606. (2) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits: (a) A class 1 misdemeanor traffic offense if the accident resulted in injury to any person; (b) A class 4 felony if the accident resulted in serious bodily injury to any person; (c) A class 3 felony if the accident resulted in the death of any person.

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at olls.info

Cited in 2 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2006

Opinions citing this section in our collection:

People v. Manzo (Supreme Court of Colorado 2006, 144 P.3d 551)“…the scene of an accident involving serious bodily injury — Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-4-1601 (1), (2)(b) — requires knowing both inv…”
United States v. Yazzie (Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit 2002, 47 F. App'x 867)“…provide information and assistance to any injured person. Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-4-1601, 1603. (Mr. Yazzie does not dispute tha…”