{"id":372024,"date":"2016-03-31T21:34:37","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:34:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/colorado-law\/colorado-statutes-of-limitations.html"},"modified":"2025-03-13T11:11:30","modified_gmt":"2025-03-13T16:11:30","slug":"colorado-statutes-of-limitations","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/colorado-law\/colorado-statutes-of-limitations.html","title":{"rendered":"Colorado Statutes of Limitations"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n \n Colorado Statutes of Limitations\n <\/h1>\n \n Many types of legal claims or actions are subject to a time limit, known as a statute of limitations. \n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, 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

Like other states, Colorado has time limits on when plaintiffs and prosecutors file a case. The statutes of limitations<\/a> apply to civil and criminal actions.<\/p>\r\n

Under Colorado’s Revised Statutes, the civil statutes of limitation<\/a> determine how long a plaintiff has to bring a cause of action against a defendant. Criminal statutes of limitation limit how much time a prosecutor has to file charges against a defendant. They also limit how long a defendant has to file an appeal after a conviction.<\/p>\r\n

What Is the Purpose of Statutes of Limitation?<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Statutes of limitation<\/a> protect the rights of civil parties and defendants. The limitations period ensures that cases appear in court while evidence is available and witnesses’ recollections are fresh. Courts operate on the belief that "justice delayed is justice denied," and allowing cases to linger means unfairness to all parties.<\/p>\r\n

Civil Actions<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

In Colorado, civil statutes of limitation<\/a> determine how much time a plaintiff has to file a civil case against a defendant. The time depends on the nature of the case.<\/p>\r\n