(1) A person who knowingly or recklessly starts or maintains a fire or causes an explosion, on his own property or that of another, and by so doing places another in danger of death or serious bodily injury or places any building or occupied structure of another in danger of damage commits fourth degree arson.
Fourth degree arson is a class 4 felony if a person is thus endangered.
Fourth degree arson is a class 2 misdemeanor if only property is thus endangered andthe value of the property is one hundred dollars or more.
Fourth degree arson is a class 3 misdemeanor if only property is thus endangered andthe value of the property is less than one hundred dollars.
It shall not be an arson offense pursuant to this section if:
A person starts and maintains a fire as a controlled agricultural burn in a reasonablycautious manner; and
No person suffers any of the following as a result of the fire:
Bodily injury;
Serious bodily injury; or(III) Death.
(6) For purposes of this section, "controlled agricultural burn" means a technique used in farming to clear the land of any existing crop residue, kill weeds and weed seeds, or reduce fuel buildup and decrease the likelihood of a future fire.
Source: L. 71: R&RE, p. 426, § 1. C.R.S. 1963: § 40-4-105. L. 77: (1) amended, p. 962, § 21, effective July 1. L. 2010: (5) and (6) added, (HB 10-1123), ch. 121, p. 404, § 1, effective August 11.