"Statutes of limitations" are laws that set time limits on how long you have to file a "civil" lawsuit, like a personal injury lawsuit, or how long the state has to prosecute someone for committing a crime. These time limits usually depend on the legal claim or crime involved in the case, and they're different from state to state. For example, in some states you may have three years to file a personal injury lawsuit after you were hurt in car accident, but in other states you may have two years. As a general rule:
- The time period begins to run on the date your claim arises or "accrues," like the day of the car accident, or when a crime is committed, and
- Once the statute of limitations has expired or "run," you can't file a lawsuit (or be prosecuted for a crime)
Below are the statutes of limitations in Colorado for various civil claims and crimes. The list doesn't cover everything. Also, the laws may change at anytime, so be sure to check the current laws and read them carefully, or talk to an attorney if you have any questions.
Civil
Note: Most of the civil statute of limitations are in Title 13, Article 80 of the Colorado Revised Statutes. You can scroll through those laws to find the statute of limitations for civil claims or "causes of action" not listed below.
Description |
Statute
|
Assault and Battery, 1 year |
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-80-103(1)(a) |
Contract (in writing), 3 years |
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-80-101(1)(a) |
Contract (oral or not in writing), 3 years |
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-80-101(1)(a) |
False Imprisonment, 1 year |
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-80-103(1)(a) |
Fraud, 3 years |
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-80-101(1)(c) |
Enforcing Court Judgments, 6 or 20 years (Depending on whether the judgment is from a district court or county court) |
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-52-102(1), (2) |
Legal Malpractice, 2 years |
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-80-102(1)(i) |
Libel, 1 year |
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-80-103(1)(a) |
Medical Malpractice, 2 years |
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-80-1025 |
Personal Injury, 3 years (If injury is connected to the use or operation of a motor vehicle) |
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-80-101(1)(n) |
Personal Injury, 2 years |
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-80-102(1)(i) |
Product Liability, 2 years |
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-80-102(1)(b) |
Property Damage, 3 years (If damage is connected to the use or operation of a motor vehicle) |
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-80-101(1)(n) |
Property Damage, 2 years |
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-80-102(1)(i) |
Slander, 1 year |
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-80-103(1)(a) |
Trespass, 2 years |
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-80-102(1)(a) |
Wrongful Death, 2 years |
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-80-102(1)(d) |
Criminal
Note: The Colorado criminal statutes of limitations are in Colo. Rev. Stat. § 16-5-401. You can scroll through the Colorado Criminal Code for various crimes and then use § 16-5-401 to determine which statute of limitations applies to a crime not listed below.
Description |
Statute
|
Arson, 18 months or 3 years (Depending on the type and value of the property burned) |
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 16-5-401(1)(a) |
Assault, 18 months or 3 years (Depending on the facts of the case) |
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 16-5-401(1)(a) |
Burglary, 3 years |
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 16-5-401(1)(a) |
Disorderly Conduct, 6 or 18 months (Depending on the facts of the case) |
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 16-5-401(1)(a) |
Kidnapping, No time limit |
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 16-5-401(1)(a) |
Manslaughter, 3 years |
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 16-5-401(1)(a) |
Murder, first degree No time limit |
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 16-5-401(1)(a) |
Murder, second degree, No time limit |
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 16-5-401(1)(a) |
Rape, 18 months or 3 years (Depending on the facts of the case) |
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 16-5-401(1)(a) |
Receiving Stolen Property, 18 months or 3 years (Depending on the facts of the case) |
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 16-5-401(1)(a) |
Robbery, 3 years |
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 16-5-401(1)(a) |
Theft, 18 months or 3 years (Depending on the value of the property taken) |
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 16-5-401(1)(a) |