Here Is What Is Happening In Colorado
Civil Statute of Limitations

Discovery Rule:  Yes
Limitations Period:  18 + 6 years
Tolling:  Yes
  • Delayed Tolling for Sexual Offenses Against Minors: 18 years old + 6 years. Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-80-103.7. This extension does not apply to claims brought against a person other than the perpetrator of the sexual offense. See Sandoval v. Archdiocese of Denver, 8 P.3d 598 (Colo. App. 2009).

  • Age 18 years old + 15 years : Plaintiff may only recover damages for medical and counseling treatment and expenses, plus costs and attorney fees. Colo. Rev. Stat. §13-80-103.7(3.5(c)).

  • Vicarious Liability : 2 Years for vicarious liability. Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-80-102(1)(a).

  • Discovery Rule: 6 years : State courts have read a discovery rule into the above statute, stating that a suppressed memory is a “disability” that triggers the 6-year statute of limitations only after the memory surfaces. Id. at 600.
Criminal Statute of Limitations
Limitations Period: None for felony child sex offenses
Age 18 + 10 years for non-felony child sexual offenses
5 years from the commission of the offense for misdemeanor sexual offenses
Tolling:  Yes - Age 18 (up to 5 years if accused is absent from state)
Exceptions  Yes
  • No Statute of Limitations for Felony Sexual Offenses Against a Child (Age Varies) : Colo. Rev. Stat. § 16-5-401(1).

    Most sexual offenses are felonies if committed against a child less than 15 years old, including various types of sexual assaults, §§ 18-3-402, -405, -405.3, as well as:
    • unlawful sexual contact, § 18-3-404
    • internet luring of a child, § 18-3-306(3),
    • internet sexual exploitation of a child, § 18-3-405.4.

  • Crimes related to child trafficking and prostitution are generally felonies if the victim is less than 18 years old. E.g. §§ 18-3-402 through -406.

  • Aggravated incest, for which the victim must be under 21 years old if a child of the actor or less than 10 years old for other relations, is also a felonious sexual offense. § 18-6-302.

  • No Discovery Rule : Sexual offenses are not included in the statutory list of offenses having a run-at-discovery SOL. See Colo. Rev. Stat. § 16-5-401(4.5).

  • Tolling : May be tolled for no more than 5 years if the accused is absent from the state § 16-5-401(2)
News Coverage
Date Title Author Source PDF
6/6/2002 How The National Conference Of Bishops' Proposal On Handling Child Abuse Should Be Changed: The Devil Is In The Details Marci Hamilton FindLaw
State Outreach Organizations
Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests: Colorado

View ALL Nationwide Outreach Organizations
Contact Your Representative
Search By Zip Code to find contact information for your elected representative:
Statute of Limitations: Footer
Home « What is a SOL? « News « Tools for Advocacy « Partners for Reform « Justice Denied « Contact






Send us your INFO
about the SOL Reform!
 AL AK AZ AR CA CO CT DE D.C. FL
GA GU HI ID IL IN IA KS KY LA
ME MD MA MI MN MS MO MT NE NV
NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA
PR RI SC SD TN TX UT VT VA WA
WV WI WY


The information contained on this site is not to be construed as legal advice and is provided for informational purposes only. While the information is intended to be accurate and up-to-date, SOL-Reform.com does not provide any warranty as to the accuracy of the contents of this site. SOL-Reform.com does not assume responsibility for actions of those in reliance on this information either implied or expressed. If you are seeking legal advice, we recommend you contact a competent, independent attorney.