{"id":371939,"date":"2016-03-31T21:34:36","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:34:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/colorado-law\/colorado-civil-statute-of-limitations-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-04-04T15:49:53","modified_gmt":"2025-04-04T20:49:53","slug":"colorado-civil-statute-of-limitations-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/colorado-law\/colorado-civil-statute-of-limitations-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Colorado Civil Statute of Limitations Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Colorado Civil Statute of Limitations Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Olivia Wathne, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Every state enforces strict time limits for filing a civil action, whether it’s a malpractice lawsuit<\/a>, personal injury claim, or debt collection claim. These limitations of actions, established by state law, are commonly referred to as statutes of limitations.<\/p>\r\n

In Colorado, the statute of limitations sets the time frame or time period within which someone can file a lawsuit. These laws help to preserve the integrity of physical evidence, DNA evidence<\/a>, and witness testimony. They also prevent the indefinite threat of lawsuits.<\/p>\r\n

If you need to file a lawsuit, contact a skilled litigation attorney<\/a> in Colorado.<\/p>\r\n

What Are the Civil Statutes of Limitation in Colorado?<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Colorado’s limitations period for filing a civil action generally ranges from one to three years, but rent and debt collection<\/a> actions have a six-year limit. The state also allows an extra year (three total) for personal injury cases and injury to property claims if a motor vehicle is involved.<\/p>\r\n

The following chart offers more details on Colorado’s statutes of limitations, which fall under Colorado Revised Statutes Title 13: Courts and Court Procedure<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Injury to person<\/th>\r\n

Two years \u00a713-80-102 <\/a>; three years \u00a713-80-101(n)<\/a> if from use or operation of a motor vehicle<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Libel\/slander<\/th>\r\n

One year \u00a713-80-103(1)(a)<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Fraud<\/th>\r\n

Three years \u00a713-80-101(1)(c)<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Injury to personal property<\/th>\r\n

Three years \u00a713-80-101(n)<\/a> if from use or operation of a motor vehicle<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Professional malpractice<\/th>\r\n

Vet: two years \u00a713-80- 102(1)(c)<\/a>; Medical malpractice: two years upon discovery \u00a713-80-102<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Trespass<\/th>\r\n

Two years \u00a713-80-102<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Collection of rents<\/th>\r\n

Six years \u00a713-80-1035(1)(b)<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Contracts<\/th>\r\n

Written: three years \u00a713-80-101<\/a>; Oral: three years \u00a713-80- 101<\/a>; two years \u00a713-80-102(a)<\/a> if tort action for tortious breach of contract<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Collection of debt on account<\/th>\r\n

Six years if contract \u00a713-80- 103.5<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\r\n

Note:<\/b> State laws are always subject to change through the passage of new legislation, rulings in the higher courts (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information available, please consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state laws you are researching.<\/i><\/p>\r\n

Tolling and the Discovery Rule<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

If we look at a given statute of limitations as a clock or stopwatch, then tolling is how time gets recorded. So, suppose you suffer a personal injury<\/a> but don’t discover it until four years after the accident. In that case, the discovery rule allows you to begin tolling when the injury is discovered (or the cause of the injury). Another example is when the injured party is a minor and must wait a number of years before filing suit.<\/p>\r\n

Research the Law<\/b><\/h2>\r\n