(1) Any person who intentionally causes or substantially contributes to the occurrence of a hazardous substance incident in violation of the provision of this article commits a class 4 felony and shall be punished as provided in section 18-1.3-401, C.R.S.
(2) Any person who willfully, recklessly, or with criminal negligence as defined in section 18-1-501, C.R.S., causes or substantially contributes to the occurrence of a hazardous substance incident in violation of the provisions of this article commits a class 5 felony and shall be punished as provided in section 18-1.3-401, C.R.S.
Source: L. 83: Entire article R&RE, p. 1222, � 1, effective July 1. L. 2002: Entire section amended, p. 1542, � 285, effective October 1.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former � 29-22-108 as it existed prior to 1983.
Cross references: (1) For the penalty for abandonment of a vehicle containing hazardous waste or the intentional spilling of hazardous waste on streets or highways, see � 18-13-112; for the penalty for hazardous waste violations, see � 25-15-310; for the penalty for abandonment of a vehicle containing hazardous materials or the intentional spilling of hazardous materials on streets or highways, see � 42-20-113; for penalties for violations of the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act of 1987, see �� 42-20-106, 42-20-109, 42-20-111, 42-20-113, 42-20-204, and 42-20-305.
(2) For the legislative declaration contained in the 2002 act amending this section, see section 1 of chapter 318, Session Laws of Colorado 2002.
29-22-109. Persons rendering assistance relating to hazardous substance incidents - legislative declaration - exemption from civil liability. (1) The general assembly hereby finds and declares that knowledgeable individuals and organizations should be encouraged to lend expert assistance in the event of a hazardous substance incident. The purpose of this section is to so encourage such individuals and organizations to lend assistance by providing them with limited immunity from civil liability.
(2) As used in this section, person means individual, government or governmental subdivision or agency, corporation, partnership, or association or any other legal entity.
(3) (a) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, any person who provides assistance or advice in mitigating or attempting to mitigate the effects of an actual or threatened hazardous substance incident, or in preventing, cleaning up, or disposing of or in attempting to prevent, clean up, or dispose of any such incident, shall not be subject to civil liability for such assistance or advice, except as provided in subsection (4) of this section.
(b) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, any person who provides assistance upon request of any emergency response authority, police agency, fire department, rescue or emergency squad, or any governmental agency in the event of an accident or other emergency involving the use, handling, transportation, transmission, or storage of hazardous substance, when the reasonably apparent circumstances require prompt decisions and actions, shall not be liable for any civil damages resulting from any act of commission or omission on his part in the course of his rendering such assistance, except as provided in subsection (4) of this section.
(4) The exemption from civil liability provided for in this section shall not apply to:
(a) Any person whose act or omission caused in whole or in part such discharge and who would otherwise be liable therefor;
(b) Any person, other than the employee of a governmental subdivision or agency, who receives compensation other than reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses for his assistance or advice;
(c) Any person's gross negligence or reckless, wanton, or intentional misconduct.
(5) Nothing in this section shall be construed to abrogate or limit the sovereign immunity granted to public entities pursuant to article 10 of title 24, C.R.S., the Colorado Governmental Immunity Act.
Source: L. 83: Entire article R&RE, p. 1222, � 1, effective July 1.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former � 29-22-109 as it existed prior to 1983.