Ding dong ditch, sometimes known as “knock, knock, ginger” or “ring and run,” is a childhood prank in which someone rings a doorbell and then quickly runs away before the door is answered. While the act may seem harmless to some, the legality of ding dong ditch in Colorado depends on several factors, including the specifics of the incident, the intent, and whether any other laws—such as trespassing or harassment—are violated.
Under Colorado law, the primary legal issue surrounding ding dong ditch is trespassing. According to state law, trespassing occurs when someone unlawfully enters or remains on another person’s property. Colorado has three degrees of criminal trespass. Third-degree trespass, which is the most relevant in the case of ding dong ditch, is the least severe but still a criminal offense. It typically applies when a person unlawfully enters or remains on the premises of another without explicit permission, regardless of whether the property is enclosed or not. Entering the pathway, steps, or porch solely to ring a doorbell may not always rise to the level of criminal trespass if the area is commonly accessible to the public, but deliberately remaining or entering additional parts of private property could make someone liable under third-degree trespass. Penalties for this petty offense can include up to 10 days in jail or a $300 fine.
If a person enters a dwelling or stays after being told to leave, or if they enter a property that is specifically posted to exclude intruders, the offense could be upgraded to a more severe form of trespass. First-degree criminal trespass, for example, happens when someone knowingly and unlawfully enters another’s dwelling or a motor vehicle with intent to commit a crime. This is a more serious offense, classified as a misdemeanor or, in some cases, a felony—carrying possible jail time and significant fines.
Beyond trespass, ding dong ditch can lead to other legal trouble. If the prank escalates, such as involving property damage or loud and repeated disturbances, participants can be charged with vandalism, also called criminal mischief under Colorado law, or disturbing the peace. Vandalism includes knowingly damaging property without consent. Even if no permanent damage is done, tampering with fixtures or causing any loss could be prosecuted. The penalty for vandalism depends on the value of the property damaged; minor offenses can still result in fines and possible jail time.
Furthermore, harassment or disturbing the peace may apply if the ring-and-run causes repeated distress to residents or creates a public nuisance. In these scenarios, law enforcement might issue citations or, in more serious cases, press charges.
Context and specific intent matter a great deal. If someone simply rings a doorbell and promptly leaves from an openly accessible porch, this is unlikely to result in prosecution, though annoyed homeowners may still call the police, especially if the prank is repeated or occurs at night. However, entering fenced or posted property, staying after being told to leave, or causing fear, distress, or damage increases the odds of facing criminal charges. While ding dong ditch is not named explicitly in Colorado’s criminal code, the actions involved can easily cross into illegal territory depending on how, when, and where the prank is carried out. Therefore, it is important to recognize that while sometimes considered a harmless joke, ding dong ditch is not always legal and can have consequences under Colorado law.
Sources
[1] https://www.shouselaw.com/co/defense/laws/trespassing/
[2] https://mcdowellfirm.com/trespassing-in-colorado-what-you-need-to-know/
[3] https://law.justia.com/codes/colorado/title-18/article-4/part-5/section-18-4-504/
[4] https://rubinsteinlawoffices.com/what-is-considered-trespassing-in-colorado/
[5] https://www.shouselaw.com/co/defense/laws/trespassing/1st-degree/
