The People of the State of Colorado v. Jesus Rodriguez-Morelos.
562 P.3d 71
Colo.2025Check Treatment<div data-spec-version="0.0.3dev" data-generated-on="2025-01-26"> <div class="generated-from-iceberg vlex-toc"> <link href="https://doc-stylesheets.vlex.com/ldml-xml.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css"></link> <div class="ldml-decision"><div class="ldml-decision"><div class="ldml-header header ldml-header content__heading content__heading--depth1" data-refglobal="case:peopleofthestateofcoloradovrodriguez-morelosno22sc9822025co2january21,2025" data-content-heading-label="Header"><p class="ldml-metadata"> 1 </p><p class="ldml-metadata"><span class="ldml-cite"><b class="ldml-bold">2025 CO 2 </b></span></p><p class="ldml-metadata"><b class="ldml-bold"> <span class="ldml-party"><span class="ldml-name">The People of the State of Colorado</span>, <span class="ldml-role">Petitioner</span></span> </b><b class="ldml-bold"> v. </b><b class="ldml-bold"> <span class="ldml-party"><span class="ldml-name">Jesus Rodriguez-Morelos</span>. <span class="ldml-role">Respondent</span></span> </b></p><p class="ldml-metadata"><span class="ldml-cite"><b class="ldml-bold">No. 22SC982</b></span></p><p class="ldml-metadata"><b class="ldml-bold"><span class="ldml-court">Supreme Court of Colorado</span>, En Banc</b></p><p class="ldml-metadata"><span class="ldml-date"><b class="ldml-bold">January 21, 2025</b></span></p></div> <div class="ldml-casehistory"><p data-paragraph-id="174" class="ldml-paragraph "><span class="ldml-pagenumber" data-vol="2025" data-page_type="bare_number" data-id="pagenumber_174" data-val="2" data-rep="CO"></span> <span data-paragraph-id="174" data-sentence-id="187" class="ldml-sentence">Certiorari to the <span class="ldml-entity">Colorado Court of Appeals Court of Appeals</span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_187" data-reftype="reporter"><span class="ldml-cite">Case No. 19CA915</span></a></span></span> </p></div><div class="ldml-counsel header ldml-header content__heading content__heading--depth1" data-content-heading-label="Counsel"><p data-paragraph-id="265" class="ldml-paragraph no-indent mt-2"> <span data-paragraph-id="265" data-sentence-id="278" class="ldml-sentence">Attorneys for <span class="ldml-entity"><span class="ldml-role">Petitioner</span></span>: <span class="ldml-entity"><span class="ldml-lawyer">Philip J. Weiser</span></span>, <span class="ldml-entity">Attorney General</span> <span class="ldml-entity">Wendy J. Ritz</span>, First Assistant <span class="ldml-entity">Attorney General</span> <span class="ldml-entity">Caitlin E. Grant</span>, Assistant <span class="ldml-entity">Attorney General</span> Denver, Colorado</span> </p><p data-paragraph-id="450" class="ldml-paragraph no-indent mt-2"> <span data-paragraph-id="450" data-sentence-id="463" class="ldml-sentence">Attorneys for <span class="ldml-entity"><span class="ldml-role">Respondent</span></span>: <span class="ldml-entity"><span class="ldml-lawyer">Megan A. Ring</span></span>, <span class="ldml-entity">Public Defender</span> <span class="ldml-entity">Kira L. Suyeishi</span>, Deputy <span class="ldml-entity">Public Defender</span> Denver, Colorado</span> <span class="ldml-pagenumber" data-vol="2025" data-page_type="bare_number" data-id="pagenumber_579" data-val="3" data-rep="CO"></span></p></div><div class="ldml-opinion"><p data-paragraph-id="579" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span class="ldml-opinionauthor"><span data-paragraph-id="579" data-sentence-id="592" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">JUSTICE <span class="ldml-entity"><span class="ldml-judge">HART</span></span> <span class="ldml-opiniontype">delivered <span class="ldml-entity">the Opinion of <span class="ldml-entity">the Court</span></span></span>, in which CHIEF JUSTICE <span class="ldml-entity"><span class="ldml-judge">MÁRQUEZ</span></span>, JUSTICE <span class="ldml-entity"><span class="ldml-judge">BOATRIGHT</span></span>, JUSTICE <span class="ldml-entity"><span class="ldml-judge">HOOD</span></span>, JUSTICE <span class="ldml-entity"><span class="ldml-judge">GABRIEL</span></span>, JUSTICE <span class="ldml-entity"><span class="ldml-judge">SAMOUR</span></span>, and JUSTICE <span class="ldml-entity"><span class="ldml-judge">BERKENKOTTER</span></span> joined</span>.</span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="579" data-sentence-id="775" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">JUSTICE <span class="ldml-entity">HOOD</span></span>, <span class="ldml-entity">joined by JUSTICE <span class="ldml-entity">BOATRIGHT</span></span>, specially concurred in the judgment.</span> <span class="ldml-pagenumber" data-vol="2025" data-page_type="bare_number" data-id="pagenumber_856" data-val="4" data-rep="CO"></span></p><h2 class="ldml-opinionheading content__heading content__heading--depth1" data-content-heading-label="Opinion (HART, MÁRQUEZ, BOATRIGHT, HOOD, GABRIEL, SAMOUR, BERKENKOTTER, HART)"><span data-paragraph-id="856" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="856" data-sentence-id="869" class="ldml-sentence"><b class="ldml-bold">OPINION</b></span> </span></h2><p data-paragraph-id="877" class="ldml-paragraph no-indent mt-4"> <span class="ldml-opinionauthor"><span data-paragraph-id="877" data-sentence-id="889" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><span class="ldml-entity"><span class="ldml-judge">HART</span></span>, JUSTICE</span></span> </span></p><p data-paragraph-id="904" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="904" data-sentence-id="915" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_915" data-reftype="section"><span class="ldml-cite">¶1</span></a></span> In <span class="ldml-entity">2015</span>, <span class="ldml-entity">Jesus Rodriguez-Morelos</span> started running Certified Nursing Assistant <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-quotation quote">"CNA"</span>)</span> classes, falsely telling prospective students that the classes were affiliated with the nonprofit organization United with Migrants.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="904" data-sentence-id="1140" class="ldml-sentence">After receiving complaints about the classes, including that Rodriguez-Morelos was unlawfully receiving money for classes <span class="ldml-entity">the state</span> had not approved, the <span class="ldml-entity">Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies</span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-quotation quote">"DORA"</span>)</span> investigated.</span> </p><p data-paragraph-id="1364" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="1364" data-sentence-id="1375" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_1375" data-reftype="section"><span class="ldml-cite">¶2</span></a></span> <span class="ldml-entity">The People</span> charged Rodriguez-Morelos with several crimes, including identity theft in violation of <span class="ldml-entity">section</span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-reftype="unspecified"><span class="ldml-cite">18-5-902<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(1)</span><span class="ldml-parenthetical">(a)</span>, C.R.S.</span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-date">2024</span>)</span></a></span>, which prohibits the knowing use of <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"the personal identifying information ... of another"</span> to obtain a financial benefit.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="1364" data-sentence-id="1639" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">The statute</span> defines <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"<span class="ldml-parenthetical">[p]</span>ersonal identifying information"</span> as certain documents and information that can be used to identify <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"a specific individual."</span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="1364" data-sentence-id="1790" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_1639" data-reftype="unspecified"><span class="ldml-cite">§ 18-5-901<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(13)</span>, C.R.S.</span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-date">2024</span>)</span></a></span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="1364" data-sentence-id="1822" class="ldml-sentence">Given the statutory language, Rodriguez-Morelos argues that <span class="ldml-entity">he</span> could not be found guilty of identity theft under this provision because the classes <span class="ldml-entity">he</span> offered were associated with a nonprofit organization and not a specific individual.</span><span data-paragraph-id="1364" data-sentence-id="2061" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-parenthetical"><sup class="ldml-superscript">[<a href="#note-ftn.FN1" class="ldml-noteanchor" id="note-ref-ftn.FN1">1</a>]</sup></span> <span class="ldml-pagenumber" data-vol="2025" data-page_type="bare_number" data-id="pagenumber_2064" data-val="5" data-rep="CO"></span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_1822" data-reftype="unspecified"><span class="ldml-cite">¶3</span></a></span> <span class="ldml-entity">We</span> agree.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="1364" data-sentence-id="2088" class="ldml-sentence">The provision of the identity-theft <span class="ldml-entity">statute</span> that references personal identifying information applies only to information concerning single, identified human beings.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="1364" data-sentence-id="2255" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">We</span> therefore affirm the judgment of <span class="ldml-entity">the court of appeals</span>.</span> </p><p data-paragraph-id="2314" class="ldml-paragraph "> <b class="ldml-bold"><span data-paragraph-id="2314" data-sentence-id="2325" class="ldml-sentence">I.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="2314" data-sentence-id="2328" class="ldml-sentence">Facts and Procedural History</span></b> </p><p data-paragraph-id="2357" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="2357" data-sentence-id="2368" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_2368" data-reftype="section"><span class="ldml-cite">¶4</span></a></span> In <span class="ldml-entity">2015</span>, Rodriguez-Morelos, who had previously worked as a volunteer for United with Migrants and other organizations providing aid to the migrant community, began offering CNA classes in that community.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="2357" data-sentence-id="2579" class="ldml-sentence">Without United with Migrants's authorization, <span class="ldml-entity">he</span> told prospective students the classes were affiliated with the nonprofit and held himself out as the group's <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"Director of Education"</span> - a position that did not exist.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="2357" data-sentence-id="2798" class="ldml-sentence">Without the nonprofit's knowledge, <span class="ldml-entity">he</span> gave some students a tax-exempt document bearing United with Migrants's name.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="2357" data-sentence-id="2916" class="ldml-sentence">Each student enrolled in these classes paid $63 to Rodriguez-Morelos.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="2357" data-sentence-id="2987" class="ldml-sentence">Over time, <span class="ldml-entity">he</span> added other programs related to the medical profession at additional cost, also without the nonprofit's authorization.</span> </p><p data-paragraph-id="3122" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="3122" data-sentence-id="3133" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_3133" data-reftype="section"><span class="ldml-cite">¶5</span></a></span> Eventually, problems with these classes came to light: <span class="ldml-entity">they</span> were overcrowded; students felt that <span class="ldml-entity">they</span> were not learning the requisite skills; and Rodriguez-Morelos refused to provide students with receipts for their payments.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="3122" data-sentence-id="3366" class="ldml-sentence">Reverend <span class="ldml-entity">Carol Meredith</span>, who worked at an Aurora-based church where Rodriguez-Morelos volunteered, filed a report about the classes with DORA, <span class="ldml-pagenumber" data-vol="2025" data-page_type="bare_number" data-id="pagenumber_3514" data-val="6" data-rep="CO"></span> complaining about Rodriguez-Morelos's practices.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="3122" data-sentence-id="3565" class="ldml-sentence">DORA investigated and found that the CNA classes were not state approved, which meant Rodriguez-Morelos could not legally receive money for them.</span> </p><p data-paragraph-id="3714" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="3714" data-sentence-id="3725" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_3725" data-reftype="section"><span class="ldml-cite">¶6</span></a></span> <span class="ldml-entity">The People</span> charged Rodriguez-Morelos with three counts of theft, one count of criminal impersonation, and one count of identity theft.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="3714" data-sentence-id="3865" class="ldml-sentence">A jury convicted Rodriquez-Morelos as charged, and <span class="ldml-entity">he</span> appealed.</span> </p><p data-paragraph-id="3930" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="3930" data-sentence-id="3941" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_3941" data-reftype="section"><span class="ldml-cite">¶7 A</span></a></span> division of <span class="ldml-entity">the court of appeals</span> affirmed the judgment of conviction for the theft and criminal impersonation charges but vacated the conviction for identity theft.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="3930" data-sentence-id="4114" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-referencechain"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_3941" data-refglobal="case:peoplevrodriguez-morelos,2022coa107m" data-reftype="reporter"><em class="ldml-emphasis"><span class="ldml-refname">People v. Rodriguez-Morelos</span>,</em> <span class="ldml-cite">2022 COA 107M </span></a></span>, <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_3941" data-reftype="section"><span class="ldml-cite">¶ 1</span></a></span></span>, <span class="ldml-entity"><a href="/vid/931664637" data-vids="931664637" class="ldml-reference" data-reftype="reporter"><span class="ldml-cite">522 P.3d 213, 217</span></a></span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="3930" data-sentence-id="4184" class="ldml-sentence">The division concluded that Rodriguez-Morelos's use of the nonprofit organization's name and tax-exempt document was not the use of personal identifying information under the <span class="ldml-entity"><a href="/vid/931664637" data-vids="931664637" class="ldml-reference" data-reftype="ibid" data-prop-ids="sentence_4184"><span class="ldml-cite">id</span></a></span> entity-theft <span class="ldml-entity">statute</span> because <span class="ldml-entity">the statute</span> defines <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"personal identifying information"</span> as information pertaining to an individual, not an organization.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="3930" data-sentence-id="4516" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a href="/vid/931664637" data-vids="931664637" class="ldml-reference" data-reftype="ibid" data-prop-ids="sentence_4516"><span class="ldml-cite"><em class="ldml-emphasis">Id.</em></span></a></span> at <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_4516" data-reftype="section"><span class="ldml-cite">¶ 26</span></a></span>, <span class="ldml-entity"><a href="/vid/931664637" data-vids="931664637" class="ldml-reference" data-reftype="reporter" data-prop-ids="sentence_4516"><span class="ldml-cite">522 P.3d at 220</span></a></span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="3930" data-sentence-id="4546" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">The People</span> petitioned for certiorari review, arguing that a nonprofit organization could also have statutorily covered personal identifying information.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="3930" data-sentence-id="4702" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">We</span> granted the petition and now affirm the division's judgment.</span> </p><div class="ldml-section"><section class="ldml-heading content__heading content__heading--depth1" data-content-heading-label=" IL Analysis " data-confidences="high" data-format="title_case_lacks_specifier_italics" data-specifier="" data-id="heading_4767" data-parsed="true" data-value="IL Analysis" id="heading_4767" data-types="analysis"><span data-paragraph-id="4767" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="4767" data-sentence-id="4778" class="ldml-sentence"><b class="ldml-bold">IL Analysis</b></span> </span></section><p data-paragraph-id="4791" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="4791" data-sentence-id="4802" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_4802" data-reftype="section"><span class="ldml-cite">¶8</span></a></span> This matter presents a straightforward question of statutory interpretation, which <span class="ldml-entity">we</span> review de novo.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="4791" data-sentence-id="4909" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-referencechain"><em class="ldml-emphasis"><span class="ldml-signal">See</span> </em><span class="ldml-entity"><a href="/vid/890326998" data-vids="890326998" class="ldml-reference" data-reftype="reporter" data-prop-ids="sentence_4909"><em class="ldml-emphasis"><span class="ldml-refname">McCoy v. People</span>,</em> <span class="ldml-cite">2019 CO 44 </span></a></span>, <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_4909" data-reftype="section"><span class="ldml-cite">¶ 37,442</span></a></span></span> P.3d 379,389.</span> <span class="ldml-pagenumber" data-vol="2025" data-page_type="bare_number" data-id="pagenumber_4966" data-val="7" data-rep="CO"></span> <span data-paragraph-id="4791" data-sentence-id="4967" class="ldml-sentence">When <span class="ldml-entity">we</span> interpret <span class="ldml-entity">statutes</span>, <span class="ldml-entity">we</span> read the General Assembly's chosen language in context and construe it <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"according to the rules of grammar and common usage."</span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="4791" data-sentence-id="5126" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_4967" data-reftype="ibid"><span class="ldml-cite"><em class="ldml-emphasis">Id.</em></span></a></span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="4791" data-sentence-id="5130" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">We</span> avoid interpretations that would render any words or phrases superfluous.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="4791" data-sentence-id="5208" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_5208" data-reftype="ibid"><span class="ldml-cite"><em class="ldml-emphasis">Id.</em></span></a></span> at <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_5208" data-reftype="section"><span class="ldml-cite">¶ 38</span></a></span>, <span class="ldml-referencechain"><span class="ldml-entity"><a href="/vid/890326998" data-vids="890326998" class="ldml-reference" data-reftype="reporter" data-prop-ids="sentence_5208"><span class="ldml-cite">442 P.3d at 389</span></a></span><span class="ldml-referenceseparator">;</span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a href="/vid/894121226" data-vids="894121226" class="ldml-reference" data-reftype="reporter" data-prop-ids="sentence_5208"><em class="ldml-emphasis"><span class="ldml-refname">People v. Rojas</span>,</em> <span class="ldml-cite">2019 CO 86M</span></a></span>, <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_5208" data-reftype="section"><span class="ldml-cite">¶¶ 11-12</span></a></span></span>, <span class="ldml-entity"><a href="/vid/894121226" data-vids="894121226" class="ldml-reference" data-reftype="reporter" data-prop-ids="sentence_5208"><span class="ldml-cite">450 P.3d 719 , 721</span></a></span>.</span> </p><p data-paragraph-id="5299" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="5299" data-sentence-id="5310" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_5310" data-reftype="section"><span class="ldml-cite">¶9</span></a></span> Examining <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_5310" data-reftype="section"><span class="ldml-cite">section 18-5-902<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(1)</span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(a)</span></span></a></span> with these precepts in mind, <span class="ldml-entity">we</span> conclude that Rodriguez-Morelos's use of United with Migrants's name and tax-exempt document did not constitute the use of personal identifying information under <span class="ldml-entity">the statute</span>.</span> </p><p data-paragraph-id="5559" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="5559" data-sentence-id="5570" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_5570" data-reftype="section"><span class="ldml-cite">¶10</span></a></span> Colorado's identity-theft <span class="ldml-entity">statute</span> provides that a person commits identity theft if that person: <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"<span class="ldml-parenthetical">[k]</span>nowingly uses the personal identifying information, financial identifying information, or financial device of another without permission or lawful authority with the intent to obtain cash, credit, property, services, or any other thing of value or to make a financial payment. . . ."</span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="5559" data-sentence-id="5965" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_5570" data-reftype="section"><span class="ldml-cite">§ 18-5-902<span class="ldml-headnoteanchor"><span class="ldml-parenthetical">(1)</span></span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(a)</span></span></a></span>.</span> </p><p data-paragraph-id="5985" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="5985" data-sentence-id="5996" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_5996" data-reftype="section"><span class="ldml-cite">¶11</span></a></span> <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"Personal identifying information,"</span> <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"financial identifying information,"</span> and <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"financial device"</span> are each statutorily defined.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="5985" data-sentence-id="6128" class="ldml-sentence">Neither the language in the definition of <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"financial identifying information,"</span> <span class="ldml-referencechain"><span class="ldml-signal"><em class="ldml-emphasis">see</em></span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_6128" data-reftype="section"><span class="ldml-cite">§ 18-5-901<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(7)</span></span></a></span></span>, nor the language in the definition of <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"financial device,"</span> <span class="ldml-referencechain"><span class="ldml-signal"><em class="ldml-emphasis">see</em></span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_6128" data-reftype="section"><span class="ldml-cite">§ 18-5-901<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(6)</span></span></a></span></span>, tether this type of information only to human beings -or generally to the identity of the <span class="ldml-pagenumber" data-vol="2025" data-page_type="bare_number" data-id="pagenumber_6400" data-val="8" data-rep="CO"></span> information holder.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="5985" data-sentence-id="6422" class="ldml-sentence">Instead, both definitions focus on different tools that can be used <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"to obtain cash, credit, property, services, or any other thing of value or to make a financial payment."</span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="5985" data-sentence-id="6599" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_6422" data-reftype="section"><span class="ldml-cite">§ 18-5-901<span class="ldml-headnoteanchor"><span class="ldml-parenthetical">(7)</span></span></span></a></span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="5985" data-sentence-id="6614" class="ldml-sentence">The principal difference between the two definitions is that <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_6614" data-reftype="section"><span class="ldml-cite">subsection 901<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(6)</span></span></a></span> covers physical instruments or devices -such as checks or credit cards -and <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_6614" data-reftype="section"><span class="ldml-cite">subsection 901<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(7)</span></span></a></span> includes the type of information appurtenant to those devices - such as checking account or credit card numbers.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="5985" data-sentence-id="6905" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_6614" data-reftype="section"><span class="ldml-cite">§ 18-5-901<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(6)</span>-<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(7)</span></span></a></span>.</span> </p><p data-paragraph-id="6925" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="6925" data-sentence-id="6936" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_6936" data-reftype="section"><span class="ldml-cite">¶12</span></a></span> In contrast, the definition of <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"personal identifying information"</span> in <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_6936" data-reftype="section"><span class="ldml-cite">section 18-5-901<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(13)</span></span></a></span> has a different focus.</span> </p><blockquote data-paragraph-id="b_7056" class="ldml-blockquote"> <span data-sentence-id="7057" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-quotation quote">"Personal identifying information"</span> means information that may be used, alone or in conjunction with any other information, to identify a <em class="ldml-emphasis">specific individual,</em> including but not limited to a name; a date of birth; a social security number; a password; a pass code; an official, government-issued driver's license or identification card number; a government passport number; biometric data; or an employer, student, or military identification number.</span> </blockquote><p data-paragraph-id="7513" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="7513" data-sentence-id="7514" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-referencechain"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-reftype="section"><span class="ldml-cite">§ 18-5-901<span class="ldml-headnoteanchor"><span class="ldml-parenthetical">(13)</span></span></span></a></span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-referencenote">emphasis added</span>)</span></span>.</span> </p><p data-paragraph-id="7547" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="7547" data-sentence-id="7558" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_7558" data-reftype="section"><span class="ldml-cite">¶13</span></a></span> Notably, only human beings can possess most of the types of information listed in this definition of <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"personal identifying information."</span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="7547" data-sentence-id="7702" class="ldml-sentence">An organization does not have a social security number, a date of birth, a government-issued driver's license or identification card number, a passport number, biometric data, or a student or military identification number.</span> <span class="ldml-pagenumber" data-vol="2025" data-page_type="bare_number" data-id="pagenumber_7930" data-val="9" data-rep="CO"></span></p><p data-paragraph-id="7930" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="7930" data-sentence-id="7941" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_7941" data-reftype="section"><span class="ldml-cite">¶14</span></a></span> <span class="ldml-entity">The People</span> argue, however, that organizations do or could have <em class="ldml-emphasis">some</em> of the identifying information included within the definition - such as a name, which is what Rodriguez-Morelos used in <span class="ldml-entity">this case</span> to lend credibility to his classes - or a password or pass code.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="7930" data-sentence-id="8212" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">They</span> further note that the definition of <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"personal identifying information"</span> is not exclusive and that there might be other personal identifying information that an organization could hold.</span> </p><p data-paragraph-id="8405" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="8405" data-sentence-id="8416" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_8416" data-reftype="section"><span class="ldml-cite">¶15</span></a></span> These are both legitimate points.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="8405" data-sentence-id="8455" class="ldml-sentence">But <span class="ldml-entity">we</span> cannot ignore the fact that <em class="ldml-emphasis">most</em> of the identifying information included in this definition is exclusive to human beings, and <span class="ldml-entity">we</span> must read the definition in that light.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="8405" data-sentence-id="8634" class="ldml-sentence">Moreover, the General Assembly further indicated its intent to apply this aspect of the identity-theft <span class="ldml-entity">statute</span> to humans and not to organizations through the limitation of <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"personal identifying information"</span> to what is used to identify <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"a specific individual."</span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="8405" data-sentence-id="8899" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-referencechain"><em class="ldml-emphasis"><span class="ldml-signal">See</span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_8634" data-reftype="ibid"><span class="ldml-cite">id.</span></a></span></em></span></span> </p><p data-paragraph-id="8907" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="8907" data-sentence-id="8918" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_8918" data-reftype="section"><span class="ldml-cite">¶16</span></a></span> <span class="ldml-entity">The statute</span> does not define the term <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"specific individual,"</span> but dictionary definitions and common usage point in only one direction.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="8907" data-sentence-id="9057" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">We</span> agree with the division's cogent analysis of the best way to read the dictionary definitions of these words when <span class="ldml-entity">they</span> are used together.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="8907" data-sentence-id="9199" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-referencechain"><em class="ldml-emphasis"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_9057" data-refglobal="case:peoplevrodriguez-morelos,2022coa107m" data-reftype="citeless"><span class="ldml-refname">Rodriguez-Morelos</span></a></span>,</em> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_9057" data-reftype="section"><span class="ldml-cite">¶ 25</span></a></span></span>, <span class="ldml-entity"><a href="/vid/931664637" data-vids="931664637" class="ldml-reference" data-reftype="reporter"><span class="ldml-cite">522 P.3d at 219</span></a></span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="8907" data-sentence-id="9241" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-quotation quote">"Specific"</span> means <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"constituting or falling into a specifiable category."</span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="8907" data-sentence-id="9314" class="ldml-sentence"><em class="ldml-emphasis">Specific,</em> Merriam-Webster Dictionary, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ specific <span class="ldml-parenthetical">[https://perma.cc/M8US-E47Q]</span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="8907" data-sentence-id="9438" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-quotation quote">"Individual"</span> is defined as <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"a particular being or thing as distinguished from a class, species, or collection: such as <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(1)</span> a <span class="ldml-pagenumber" data-vol="2025" data-page_type="bare_number" data-id="pagenumber_9567" data-val="10" data-rep="CO"></span> single human being as contrasted with a social group or institution"</span> or <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"a particular person."</span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="8907" data-sentence-id="9665" class="ldml-sentence"><em class="ldml-emphasis">Individual,</em> Merriam-Webster Dictionary, https:// www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/individual <span class="ldml-parenthetical">[https://perma.ee/JJ3V-W3AG]</span>, As the division concluded, the best reading of these definitions together is that an <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"individual"</span> means <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"a single human being as contrasted with a social group or institution."</span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="8907" data-sentence-id="9972" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_9665" data-reftype="unspecified"><em class="ldml-emphasis"><span class="ldml-refname">Rodriguez-Morelos</span>,</em> <span class="ldml-cite">¶ 25,522 P.3d at 219</span></a></span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="8907" data-sentence-id="10013" class="ldml-sentence">This reading <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"gives voice to both the noun and the adjective"</span> without rendering the adjective <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"specific"</span> superfluous.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="8907" data-sentence-id="10134" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_10013" data-reftype="ibid"><span class="ldml-cite"><em class="ldml-emphasis">Id.</em></span></a></span></span> </p><p data-paragraph-id="10138" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="10138" data-sentence-id="10149" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_10149" data-reftype="section"><span class="ldml-cite">¶17</span></a></span> <span class="ldml-entity">The People</span>'s final argument is that the class of victims contemplated by <span class="ldml-entity">the statute</span> includes organizations as well as individuals and that the division's reading of <span class="ldml-entity">the statute</span> ignores that <span class="ldml-entity">legislative intent</span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="10138" data-sentence-id="10367" class="ldml-sentence">In particular, <span class="ldml-entity">they</span> observe that <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_10367" data-reftype="section"><span class="ldml-cite">section 18-5-902<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(1)</span><span class="ldml-parenthetical">(a)</span></span></a></span> prohibits the use of the <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"personal identifying information, financial identifying information, or financial device <em class="ldml-emphasis">of another"</em></span> and that <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"another"</span> includes both individuals and organizations.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="10138" data-sentence-id="10619" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-referencenote">Emphasis added</span>.)</span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="10138" data-sentence-id="10637" class="ldml-sentence">Therefore, <span class="ldml-entity">they</span> argue, personal identifying information must include information of organizations.</span> </p><p data-paragraph-id="10738" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="10738" data-sentence-id="10749" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_10749" data-reftype="section"><span class="ldml-cite">¶18</span></a></span> <span class="ldml-entity">We</span> agree that the phrase <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"of another"</span> defines the class of victims under <span class="ldml-entity">the statute</span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="10738" data-sentence-id="10840" class="ldml-sentence">And organizations are included in that class of victims.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="10738" data-sentence-id="10898" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-referencechain"><span class="ldml-signal"><em class="ldml-emphasis">See</em></span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="embeddedsentence_10919,sentence_10840" data-reftype="section"><span class="ldml-cite">§ 18-5-901<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(11)</span></span></a></span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-embeddedsentence">defining <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"another"</span> to include both <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"a natural person"</span> and <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"a business entity"</span></span>)</span></span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="10738" data-sentence-id="11001" class="ldml-sentence">But reading personal identifying information as pertaining only to human beings <span class="ldml-pagenumber" data-vol="2025" data-page_type="bare_number" data-id="pagenumber_11084" data-val="11" data-rep="CO"></span> does not render this phrase superfluous.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="10738" data-sentence-id="11127" class="ldml-sentence">Organizations are within the class of victims protected by <span class="ldml-entity">the statute</span> because <span class="ldml-entity">a defendant</span> can be convicted of identity theft by using the financial identifying information or financial device of an organization.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="10738" data-sentence-id="11344" class="ldml-sentence">As <span class="ldml-entity">we</span> have explained, however, the definition of personal identifying information within <span class="ldml-entity">the statutory scheme</span> is focused on specific individuals and does not apply to organizations.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="10738" data-sentence-id="11529" class="ldml-sentence">For that particular type of identity theft, <span class="ldml-entity">a defendant</span> can only be convicted when the crime is committed against a specific human person.</span> </p><p data-paragraph-id="11670" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="11670" data-sentence-id="11681" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_11681" data-reftype="section"><span class="ldml-cite">¶19</span></a></span> Therefore, based on the plain language of <span class="ldml-entity">the statute</span>, Rodriguez-Morelos did not commit identity theft against United with Migrants when <span class="ldml-entity">he</span> used the nonprofit's name and distributed the tax-exempt document without permission.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="11670" data-sentence-id="11915" class="ldml-sentence">Neither act constitutes the use of <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(1)</span> personal identifying information as contemplated in <span class="ldml-entity">the statute</span>; <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(2)</span> financial identifying information; or <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(3)</span> the financial device of the organization.</span> </p><p data-paragraph-id="12110" class="ldml-paragraph "> <b class="ldml-bold"><span data-paragraph-id="12110" data-sentence-id="12121" class="ldml-sentence">III.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="12110" data-sentence-id="12126" class="ldml-sentence">Conclusion</span></b> </p><p data-paragraph-id="12137" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="12137" data-sentence-id="12148" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_12148" data-reftype="section"><span class="ldml-cite">¶20</span></a></span> Colorado's identity-theft <span class="ldml-entity">statute</span> provides that personal identifying information concerns only single, identified human beings and not nonprofit organizations.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="12137" data-sentence-id="12315" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">We</span> therefore affirm the judgment of <span class="ldml-entity">the court of appeals</span>.</span> </p><p data-paragraph-id="12374" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="12374" data-sentence-id="12387" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">JUSTICE <span class="ldml-entity">HOOD</span></span>, <span class="ldml-entity">joined by JUSTICE <span class="ldml-entity">BOATRIGHT</span></span>, specially concurred in the judgment.</span> <span class="ldml-pagenumber" data-vol="2025" data-page_type="bare_number" data-id="pagenumber_12468" data-val="12" data-rep="CO"></span></p><p data-paragraph-id="12468" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="12468" data-sentence-id="12481" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">JUSTICE <span class="ldml-entity">HOOD</span></span>, <span class="ldml-entity">joined by JUSTICE <span class="ldml-entity">BOATRIGHT</span></span>, specially concurring.</span> </p><p data-paragraph-id="12547" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="12547" data-sentence-id="12558" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_12558" data-reftype="section"><span class="ldml-cite">¶21</span></a></span> While the majority reaches the right conclusion under our rules of statutory interpretation, I believe that Colorado's identity theft <span class="ldml-entity">statute</span> is ambiguous, and <span class="ldml-entity">the legislature</span> might have intended a different result.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="12547" data-sentence-id="12782" class="ldml-sentence">So, I join the majority's opinion, but I write separately to urge the General Assembly to clarify its intent.</span> </p><p data-paragraph-id="12894" class="ldml-paragraph "> <b class="ldml-bold"><span data-paragraph-id="12894" data-sentence-id="12905" class="ldml-sentence">I.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="12894" data-sentence-id="12908" class="ldml-sentence">Analysis</span></b> </p><p data-paragraph-id="12917" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="12917" data-sentence-id="12928" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_12928" data-reftype="section"><span class="ldml-cite">¶22</span></a></span> Under Colorado law, a person commits identity theft if <span class="ldml-entity">he</span> <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"<span class="ldml-parenthetical">[k]</span>nowingly uses the <em class="ldml-emphasis">personal identifying information,</em> financial identifying information, or financial device <em class="ldml-emphasis">of another</em> without permission or lawful authority with the intent to obtain cash, credit, property, services, or any other thing of value or to make a financial payment."</span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="12917" data-sentence-id="13278" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-referencechain"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_12928" data-reftype="unspecified"><span class="ldml-cite">§ 18-5-902<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(1)</span><span class="ldml-parenthetical">(a)</span>, C.R.S.</span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-date">2024</span>)</span></a></span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-referencenote">emphases added</span>)</span></span>.</span> </p><p data-paragraph-id="13328" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="13328" data-sentence-id="13339" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_13339" data-reftype="section"><span class="ldml-cite">¶23</span></a></span> On the one hand, the term <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"of another"</span> defines the class of victims as both <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"a natural person"</span> and <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"a business entity."</span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="13328" data-sentence-id="13466" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-referencechain"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_13339" data-reftype="unspecified"><span class="ldml-cite">§ 18-5-901<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(11)</span>, C.R.S.</span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-date">2024</span>)</span></a></span><span class="ldml-referenceseparator">;</span> <span class="ldml-signal"><em class="ldml-emphasis">see also</em></span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="embeddedsentence_13521,sentence_13339" data-reftype="unspecified"><span class="ldml-cite">Maj. op. ¶ 18</span></a></span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-embeddedsentence">acknowledging that <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"<span class="ldml-quotation quote">'another'</span> includes both individuals and organizations"</span></span>)</span></span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="13328" data-sentence-id="13600" class="ldml-sentence">Moreover, the definitions of <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"financial identifying information"</span> and <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"financial device"</span> contain terms that apply to a victim who is a natural person or that is an entity.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="13328" data-sentence-id="13774" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-referencechain"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_13600" data-reftype="section"><span class="ldml-cite">§ 18-5-901 <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(6)</span>-<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(7)</span></span></a></span><span class="ldml-referenceseparator">;</span> <span class="ldml-signal"><em class="ldml-emphasis">see also</em></span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_13600" data-reftype="unspecified"><span class="ldml-cite">Maj. op. ¶ 11</span></a></span></span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="13328" data-sentence-id="13819" class="ldml-sentence">On the other hand, the definition of <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"personal identifying information"</span> mostly contains terms that would apply to a natural person.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="13328" data-sentence-id="13954" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-referencechain"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_13819" data-reftype="section"><span class="ldml-cite">§ 18-5-901<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(13)</span></span></a></span><span class="ldml-referenceseparator">;</span> <span class="ldml-signal"><em class="ldml-emphasis">see also</em></span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_13819" data-reftype="unspecified"><span class="ldml-cite">Maj. op. ¶ 13</span></a></span></span>.</span> <span class="ldml-pagenumber" data-vol="2025" data-page_type="bare_number" data-id="pagenumber_13995" data-val="13" data-rep="CO"></span></p><p data-paragraph-id="13995" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="13995" data-sentence-id="14006" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_14006" data-reftype="section"><span class="ldml-cite">¶24</span></a></span> The key to the present dispute is whether entities can be victims of identity theft involving the use of personal information and not just involving the use of financial identifying information and the use of a financial device.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="13995" data-sentence-id="14243" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_14006" data-reftype="section"><span class="ldml-cite">§ 18-5-902<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(1)</span><span class="ldml-parenthetical">(a)</span></span></a></span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="13995" data-sentence-id="14261" class="ldml-sentence">Did the General Assembly intend that an entity -such as United with Migrants -could be the victim of identity theft when <span class="ldml-entity">the defendant</span>'s conduct involves the use of the items or information included in the definition of personal identifying information?</span> </p><div class="ldml-section"><section class="ldml-heading content__heading content__heading--depth2" data-specifier="A" data-id="heading_14519" data-ordinal_start="1" data-format="upper_case_letters" data-ordinal_end="1" data-content-heading-label=" A. Statutory Interpretation " data-parsed="true" data-value="A. Statutory Interpretation" id="heading_14519"><span data-paragraph-id="14519" class="ldml-paragraph "> <b class="ldml-bold"><span data-paragraph-id="14519" data-sentence-id="14530" class="ldml-sentence">A.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="14519" data-sentence-id="14533" class="ldml-sentence">Statutory Interpretation</span></b> </span></section><p data-paragraph-id="14558" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="14558" data-sentence-id="14569" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_14569" data-reftype="section"><span class="ldml-cite">¶25</span></a></span> In interpreting <span class="ldml-entity">a statute</span>, our primary purpose is to effectuate the intent of the General Assembly.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="14558" data-sentence-id="14675" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-referencechain"><span class="ldml-entity"><a href="/vid/890326998" data-vids="890326998" class="ldml-reference" data-reftype="reporter" data-prop-ids="sentence_14569"><em class="ldml-emphasis"><span class="ldml-refname">McCoy v. People</span>,</em> <span class="ldml-cite">2019 CO 44 </span></a></span>, <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_14569" data-reftype="section"><span class="ldml-cite">¶ 37</span></a></span></span>, <span class="ldml-entity"><a href="/vid/890326998" data-vids="890326998" class="ldml-reference" data-reftype="reporter"><span class="ldml-cite">442 P.3d 379 , 389</span></a></span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="14558" data-sentence-id="14730" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">We</span> first look to the plain language of <span class="ldml-entity">the statute</span>, giving <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"words and phrases their plain and ordinary meanings."</span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="14558" data-sentence-id="14847" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a href="/vid/890326998" data-vids="890326998" class="ldml-reference" data-reftype="ibid" data-prop-ids="sentence_14730"><span class="ldml-cite"><em class="ldml-emphasis">Id.</em></span></a></span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="14558" data-sentence-id="14851" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-quotation quote">"<span class="ldml-parenthetical">[W]</span>e must avoid constructions that would render any words or phrases superfluous or lead to illogical or absurd results."</span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="14558" data-sentence-id="14976" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a href="/vid/890326998" data-vids="890326998" class="ldml-reference" data-reftype="ibid" data-prop-ids="sentence_14976"><span class="ldml-cite"><em class="ldml-emphasis">Id.</em></span></a></span> at <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_14976" data-reftype="section"><span class="ldml-cite">¶ 38</span></a></span>, <span class="ldml-entity"><a href="/vid/890326998" data-vids="890326998" class="ldml-reference" data-reftype="reporter" data-prop-ids="sentence_14976"><span class="ldml-cite">442 P.3d at 389</span></a></span>.</span> </p><p data-paragraph-id="15006" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="15006" data-sentence-id="15017" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_15017" data-reftype="section"><span class="ldml-cite">¶26 A</span></a></span> statute is ambiguous if it is reasonably susceptible to multiple interpretations.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="15006" data-sentence-id="15107" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_15017" data-reftype="ibid"><span class="ldml-cite"><em class="ldml-emphasis">Id.</em></span></a></span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="15006" data-sentence-id="15111" class="ldml-sentence">If the meaning of <span class="ldml-entity">the statute</span> is unambiguous, <span class="ldml-entity">we</span> need not employ other interpretive tools.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="15006" data-sentence-id="15204" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_15111" data-reftype="ibid"><span class="ldml-cite"><em class="ldml-emphasis">Id.</em></span></a></span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="15006" data-sentence-id="15208" class="ldml-sentence">If it is ambiguous, <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"then <span class="ldml-entity">we</span> may consider other aids,"</span> such as employing tools of statutory construction, considering <span class="ldml-entity">the statute</span>'s legislative history, and considering <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"the end to be achieved by <span class="ldml-entity">the statute</span>."</span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="15006" data-sentence-id="15422" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-referencechain"><em class="ldml-emphasis"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_15208" data-reftype="ibid"><span class="ldml-cite">Id.</span></a></span><span class="ldml-referenceseparator">;</span> <span class="ldml-signal">see also</span> </em><span class="ldml-entity"><a href="/vid/894576001" data-vids="894576001" class="ldml-reference" data-reftype="reporter" data-prop-ids="sentence_15208"><em class="ldml-emphasis"><span class="ldml-refname">St. Vrain Valley Sch. Dist. RE-1J v. A.R.E. ex rel. Loveland</span>,</em> <span class="ldml-cite">2014 CO 33</span></a></span>, <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_15208" data-reftype="section"><span class="ldml-cite">¶ 11</span></a></span></span>, <span class="ldml-referencechain"><span class="ldml-entity"><a href="/vid/894576001" data-vids="894576001" class="ldml-reference" data-reftype="reporter"><span class="ldml-cite">325 P.3d 1014 , 1019</span></a></span><span class="ldml-referenceseparator">;</span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-reftype="unspecified"><span class="ldml-cite">§ 2-4-203<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(1)</span>, C.R.S.</span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-date">2024</span>)</span></a></span> <span class="ldml-pagenumber" data-vol="2025" data-page_type="bare_number" data-id="pagenumber_15568" data-val="14" data-rep="CO"></span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-quotation quote">"If <span class="ldml-entity">a statute</span> is ambiguous, <span class="ldml-entity">the court</span>, in determining the intention of the general assembly, may consider among other matters: <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(a)</span> The object sought to be attained ...."</span>)</span></span>.</span> </p></div><div class="ldml-section"><section class="ldml-heading content__heading content__heading--depth2" data-specifier="B" data-id="heading_15745" data-ordinal_start="2" data-format="upper_case_letters" data-ordinal_end="2" data-content-heading-label=" B. Both Interpretations Are Reasonable " data-parsed="true" data-value="B. Both Interpretations Are Reasonable" id="heading_15745"><span data-paragraph-id="15745" class="ldml-paragraph "> <b class="ldml-bold"><span data-paragraph-id="15745" data-sentence-id="15756" class="ldml-sentence">B.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="15745" data-sentence-id="15759" class="ldml-sentence">Both Interpretations Are Reasonable</span></b> </span></section><p data-paragraph-id="15795" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="15795" data-sentence-id="15806" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_15806" data-reftype="section"><span class="ldml-cite">¶27</span></a></span> <span class="ldml-entity">The statute</span> is ambiguous because both the majority's and <span class="ldml-entity"><span class="ldml-entity">the Attorney General</span>'s interpretations of <span class="ldml-entity">the statute</span></span> are reasonable.</span> </p><p data-paragraph-id="15939" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="15939" data-sentence-id="15950" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_15950" data-reftype="section"><span class="ldml-cite">¶28</span></a></span> As noted above, the identity theft <span class="ldml-entity">statute</span> prohibits wrongful use of three types of information <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"of another"</span> - personal identifying information, financial identifying information, and a financial device.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="15939" data-sentence-id="16162" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_15950" data-reftype="section"><span class="ldml-cite">§ 18-5-902<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(1)</span><span class="ldml-parenthetical">(a)</span></span></a></span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="15939" data-sentence-id="16180" class="ldml-sentence">The term <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"of another"</span> means both <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"a natural person"</span> or <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"a business entity."</span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="15939" data-sentence-id="16257" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_16180" data-reftype="section"><span class="ldml-cite">§ 18-5-901<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(11)</span></span></a></span>.</span> </p><p data-paragraph-id="16274" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="16274" data-sentence-id="16285" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_16285" data-reftype="section"><span class="ldml-cite">¶29</span></a></span> But <span class="ldml-entity">the statute</span> also defines <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"personal identifying information"</span> as:</span> </p><blockquote data-paragraph-id="b_16359" class="ldml-blockquote"> <span data-sentence-id="16360" class="ldml-sentence">information that may be used, alone or in conjunction with any other information, to identify a <em class="ldml-emphasis">specific individual,</em> including but not limited to a name; a date of birth; a social security number; a password; a pass code; an official, government-issued driver's license or identification card number; a government passport number; biometric data; or an employer, student, or military identification number.</span> </blockquote><p data-paragraph-id="16774" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="16774" data-sentence-id="16775" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-referencechain"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-reftype="section"><span class="ldml-cite">§ 18-5-901<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(13)</span></span></a></span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-referencenote">emphasis added</span>)</span></span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="16774" data-sentence-id="16808" class="ldml-sentence">Unfortunately, <span class="ldml-entity">the statute</span> doesn't tell <span class="ldml-entity">us</span> what <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"specific individual"</span> means.</span> </p><p data-paragraph-id="16887" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="16887" data-sentence-id="16898" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_16898" data-reftype="section"><span class="ldml-cite">¶30</span></a></span> The majority reasons that because most items listed in the definition apply only to natural persons, this type of identity theft can only be inflicted on victims who are natural persons.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="16887" data-sentence-id="17093" class="ldml-sentence">The majority's analysis implicitly <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(and soundly)</span> rests on the <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"well-worn canon of statutory construction, <em class="ldml-emphasis">noscitur a sociis,</em> <span class="ldml-quotation quote">'a word may be <span class="ldml-pagenumber" data-vol="2025" data-page_type="bare_number" data-id="pagenumber_17237" data-val="15" data-rep="CO"></span> known by the company it keeps.'</span>"</span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="16887" data-sentence-id="17272" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-referencechain"><em class="ldml-emphasis"><span class="ldml-entity"><a href="/vid/894576001" data-vids="894576001" class="ldml-reference" data-reftype="citeless" data-prop-ids="sentence_17093"><span class="ldml-refname">St. Vrain Valley Sch. Dist.</span></a></span>,</em> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_17093" data-reftype="section"><span class="ldml-cite">¶ 22</span></a></span></span>, <span class="ldml-referencechain"><span class="ldml-entity"><a href="/vid/894576001" data-vids="894576001" class="ldml-reference" data-reftype="reporter"><span class="ldml-cite">325 P.3d at 1021-22</span></a></span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-cert">quoting</span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-refglobal="case:grahamcountysoilandwaterconservationdistrictvunitedstatesno08–304559us280,130sct1396,176led2d225decidedmarch30,2010" data-reftype="reporter"><em class="ldml-emphasis"><span class="ldml-refname">Graham Cnty. Soil &Water Conservation Dist. v. United States ex rel. Wilson</span>,</em> <span class="ldml-cite">559 U.S. 280 , 287</span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-date">2010</span>)</span></a></span>)</span></span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="16887" data-sentence-id="17442" class="ldml-sentence">According to the canon, because terms such as <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"date of birth,"</span> <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"social security number,"</span> <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"driver's license,"</span> <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"passport number,"</span> and <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"biometric data"</span> can only belong to a natural person, the remainder of the terms should be similarly limited.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="16887" data-sentence-id="17688" class="ldml-sentence">This canon also helps clarify <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"employer, student, or military identification number,"</span> suggesting that the General Assembly may have intended <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"employer identification number"</span> to mean a number that an employer assigns an employee <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(rather than one assigned to an entity employer)</span>.</span> </p><p data-paragraph-id="17971" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="17971" data-sentence-id="17982" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_17982" data-reftype="section"><span class="ldml-cite">¶31</span></a></span> The majority also reasonably relies on dictionary definitions and common usage analysis of <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"specific individual"</span> that indicate that the term means <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"a single human being as contrasted with a social group or institution."</span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="17971" data-sentence-id="18210" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-referencechain"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_17982" data-reftype="unspecified"><span class="ldml-cite">Maj. op. ¶ 16</span></a></span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(quoting <em class="ldml-emphasis">Individual,</em> Merriam-Webster Dictionary, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/individual <span class="ldml-parenthetical">[https://perma.cc/JJ3V-W3AG]</span>)</span></span>.</span> </p><p data-paragraph-id="18362" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="18362" data-sentence-id="18373" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_18373" data-reftype="section"><span class="ldml-cite">¶32</span></a></span> Conversely, <span class="ldml-entity">the Attorney General</span> reasonably asserts that the General Assembly's definition of the term <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"of another,"</span> which includes entities, seems designed to encompass <em class="ldml-emphasis">all three types</em> of identity theft.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="18362" data-sentence-id="18586" class="ldml-sentence">Likewise, <span class="ldml-entity">section</span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-reftype="unspecified"><span class="ldml-cite">2-4-401<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(8)</span>, C.R.S.</span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-date">2024</span>)</span></a></span>, states: <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"The following definitions apply to every <span class="ldml-entity">statute</span>, unless the context otherwise requires: . . . <span class="ldml-quotation quote">'Person'</span> means any individual, corporation, government or governmental <span class="ldml-entity">subdivision</span> or agency, business trust, estate, trust, <span class="ldml-pagenumber" data-vol="2025" data-page_type="bare_number" data-id="pagenumber_18866" data-val="16" data-rep="CO"></span> limited liability company, partnership, association, or other legal entity."</span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="18362" data-sentence-id="18946" class="ldml-sentence">This definition suggests that <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"personal information"</span> could include the information of an entity.</span> </p><p data-paragraph-id="19045" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="19045" data-sentence-id="19056" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_19056" data-reftype="section"><span class="ldml-cite">¶33</span></a></span> <span class="ldml-entity">The Attorney General</span> also notes that the General Assembly could have used <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"natural person"</span> instead of <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"specific individual"</span> if it wished to constrain the definition of personal identifying information to that one class of victims.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="19045" data-sentence-id="19295" class="ldml-sentence">The General Assembly also doesn't explain <em class="ldml-emphasis">why</em> it would limit identity theft involving personal identifying information to natural persons when the other forms of identity theft are more expansive.</span> </p><p data-paragraph-id="19495" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="19495" data-sentence-id="19506" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_19506" data-reftype="section"><span class="ldml-cite">¶34</span></a></span> Lastly, <span class="ldml-entity">the Attorney General</span> asserts that the legislative history points toward the General Assembly's intent that entities can be victims of all three types of identity theft.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="19495" data-sentence-id="19690" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">The Attorney General</span> notes that one witness before the <span class="ldml-entity">House Judiciary Committee</span>, who was introduced to explain the <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"technicalities"</span> of <span class="ldml-entity">the bill</span>, stated that it was important that the definition of the term <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"of another"</span> includes entities.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="19495" data-sentence-id="19933" class="ldml-sentence">Hearing on <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-reftype="unspecified"><span class="ldml-cite">H.B. 1326</span></a></span> before the <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-reftype="unspecified"><span class="ldml-refname">H. Judiciary</span> <span class="ldml-cite">Comm., 65th Gen. Assemb., 2d Sess.</span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-date">Feb. 23, 2006</span>)</span></a></span>.</span> </p><p data-paragraph-id="20032" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="20032" data-sentence-id="20043" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_20043" data-reftype="section"><span class="ldml-cite">¶35</span></a></span> <span class="ldml-entity"><span class="ldml-entity">The Attorney General</span>'s interpretation</span> of the text is sufficiently compelling to render <span class="ldml-entity">the statute</span> ambiguous.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="20032" data-sentence-id="20158" class="ldml-sentence">This ambiguity permits <span class="ldml-entity">us</span> to consider the legislative history.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="20032" data-sentence-id="20222" class="ldml-sentence">However, I'm not persuaded that the legislative history is helpful in resolving that ambiguity.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="20032" data-sentence-id="20319" class="ldml-sentence">In the <span class="ldml-entity">House Judiciary Committee</span>, one <span class="ldml-entity">bill</span> <span class="ldml-pagenumber" data-vol="2025" data-page_type="bare_number" data-id="pagenumber_20363" data-val="17" data-rep="CO"></span> sponsor briefly mentioned the cost of identity theft to businesses along with the toll it takes on citizens.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="20032" data-sentence-id="20475" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_20319" data-reftype="ibid"><span class="ldml-cite"><em class="ldml-emphasis">Id.</em></span></a></span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="20032" data-sentence-id="20479" class="ldml-sentence">But those testifying in favor of <span class="ldml-entity">the bill</span> before both the House and Senate Judiciary Committees, including the witness cited by <span class="ldml-entity">the Attorney General</span>, shared stories in which the victims were exclusively natural persons.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="20032" data-sentence-id="20702" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-referencechain"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_20479" data-reftype="ibid"><span class="ldml-cite"><em class="ldml-emphasis">Id.</em></span></a></span><span class="ldml-referenceseparator">;</span></span> Hearing on <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-reftype="unspecified"><span class="ldml-cite">H.B. 1326</span></a></span> before the <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-reftype="unspecified"><span class="ldml-refname">S. Judiciary</span> <span class="ldml-cite">Comm., 65th Gen. Assemb., 2d Sess.</span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-date">Apr. 24, 2006</span>)</span></a></span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="20032" data-sentence-id="20804" class="ldml-sentence">And when the <span class="ldml-entity">House Judiciary Committee</span> voted to strike an instance of <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"a person"</span> and replace it with <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"another"</span> in the description of the crime, <span class="ldml-entity">the bill</span> sponsor emphasized that <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"another"</span> encompasses both living and dead persons and later, before the whole House of Representatives, described the impact of identity theft on the families of deceased victims, with no mention of entities.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="20032" data-sentence-id="21198" class="ldml-sentence">Hearing on <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-reftype="unspecified"><span class="ldml-cite">H.B. 1326</span></a></span> before the <span class="ldml-referencechain"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-reftype="unspecified"><span class="ldml-refname">H. Judiciary</span> <span class="ldml-cite">Comm., 65th Gen. Assemb., 2d Sess.</span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-date">Feb. 23, 2006</span>)</span></a></span><span class="ldml-referenceseparator">;</span></span> Second Reading of <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-reftype="unspecified"><span class="ldml-cite">H.B. 1326</span></a></span> before the <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-reftype="unspecified"><span class="ldml-refname">House</span>, <span class="ldml-cite">65th Gen. Assemb., 2d Sess.</span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-date">Apr. 11, 2006</span>)</span></a></span>.</span> </p><p data-paragraph-id="21389" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="21389" data-sentence-id="21400" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_21400" data-reftype="section"><span class="ldml-cite">¶36</span></a></span> Even though the legislative history is cryptic, <span class="ldml-entity">we</span> may also consider the object that the General Assembly wished to attain.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="21389" data-sentence-id="21531" class="ldml-sentence">The identity theft <span class="ldml-entity">statute</span>'s use and definition of the term <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"of another"</span> suggest that the General Assembly's goal was to protect natural persons <em class="ldml-emphasis">and</em> entities in Colorado from being victimized by identity theft.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="21389" data-sentence-id="21746" class="ldml-sentence">Given this overarching purpose, it seems odd to conclude that the General Assembly nonetheless meant to exclude entities from the protection afforded to those whose personal identifying information is stolen <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(particularly <span class="ldml-pagenumber" data-vol="2025" data-page_type="bare_number" data-id="pagenumber_21973" data-val="18" data-rep="CO"></span> the entity's name)</span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="21389" data-sentence-id="21995" class="ldml-sentence">Yet, the majority's reasoning wins the day under the law governing statutory interpretation.</span> </p><p data-paragraph-id="22090" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="22090" data-sentence-id="22101" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_22101" data-reftype="section"><span class="ldml-cite">¶37</span></a></span> Because the definition of <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"personal identifying information"</span> is reasonably susceptible to multiple interpretations, its meaning is ambiguous.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="22090" data-sentence-id="22250" class="ldml-sentence">Although the majority's analysis is reasonable, it seems <span class="ldml-entity">the legislature</span> might have intended a different result.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="22090" data-sentence-id="22365" class="ldml-sentence">I therefore respectfully urge the General Assembly to clarify its intent.</span> </p><p data-paragraph-id="22441" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="22441" data-sentence-id="22442" class="ldml-sentence">---------</span> </p></div></div></div><div class="ldml-notes content__heading content__heading--depth1" data-content-heading-label="Footnotes"><div class="ldml-note ldml-note"><p data-paragraph-id="22452" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="22452" data-sentence-id="22453" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-parenthetical"><sup class="ldml-superscript">[<a href="#note-ref-ftn.FN1" class="ldml-notemarker" id="note-ftn.FN1">1</a>]</sup></span> <span class="ldml-entity">We</span> granted certiorari to review the following issue:</span> </p><blockquote data-paragraph-id="b_22510" class="ldml-blockquote"> <span data-sentence-id="22511" class="ldml-sentence">1.</span> <span data-sentence-id="22514" class="ldml-sentence">Whether <span class="ldml-entity">the court of appeals</span> erred in holding that the crime of identity theft does not apply to a business entity's personal identifying information and applies only to information concerning single, identified human beings.</span> </blockquote></div></div><p data-paragraph-id="22744" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="22744" data-sentence-id="22745" class="ldml-sentence">---------</span> </p> </div></div> </div> </div>