Colorado’s construction defect statutes establish specific requirements for notices of claim and statutory tolling. It is time for courts and arbitrators to enforce them. There is a frustrating tendency in some Colorado construction defect litigation to treat virtually any written complaint about construction work as a statutory notice of claim under the Construction Defect Action […]
Colorado Construction Litigation Blog
Fourteen years ago, we cautioned Colorado homeowners associations against a “ready, fire, aim” approach to construction-defect litigation. In The Hidden Dangers of Construction Defect Litigation, we suggested a fairly simple proposition: when legitimate construction defects exist, the goal should be to get them repaired. Litigation should be a last resort, not an end in itself. […]
In construction defect litigation, one scenario appears repeatedly: a subcontractor installs work in a manner that differs from the plans, specifications, manufacturer instructions, or industry standards after being verbally directed to do so by the general contractor, superintendent, architect, or owner’s representative. At the time, the decision may seem minor. The project is moving quickly, […]
In Michelle and Michael Parra v. Gillaspie Construction, Inc. and Johnson Excavation, Inc. (Colo. App. No. 18CA0800, Mar. 21, 2019), not selected for official publication, the Colorado Court of Appeals reaffirmed an essential principle for builders, homeowners, and insurers alike: under the Colorado Construction Defect Action Reform Act (“CDARA”), the statute of limitations begins to […]
In a recent Colorado Court of Appeals decision, Kritzer v. Qwest Corporation, the Colorado Court of Appeals reaffirmed the protections offered by the statute of repose under Colorado’s Construction Defect Action Reform Act (“CDARA”)—but also reminded practitioners that those protections are not absolute. For construction professionals, subcontractors, and public utilities, the case illustrates how ongoing […]
On May 9, 2025, Governor Jared Polis signed House Bill 25-1272, known as the “Colorado American Dream Act,” into law. The legislation, which takes effect January 1, 2026, aims to address the state’s well-documented shortage of for-sale multifamily housing, particularly condominiums and townhomes, by creating a voluntary program for developers and builders who agree to […]
On March 28, 2025, the Colorado House passed House Bill 25-1272 on second reading with floor amendments. The bill — titled the “Colorado American Dream Act” — seeks to address Colorado’s housing crisis by encouraging construction of for-sale multifamily housing, such as condominiums and townhomes, through targeted legal reforms. H.B. 25-1272 would create a new, […]
In the recent Colorado Court of Appeals decision Stoecklein v. Fayette Farms, LLC (2024 WL 5098330), the Court addressed critical issues surrounding construction defect claims, statutes of limitations, and the interplay between the Colorado Consumer Protection Act (“CCPA”) and the Construction Defect Action Reform Act (“CDARA”). This case underscores the importance of understanding the statutory […]
For years, Colorado’s economic loss rule has not applied to residential construction and has not impeded the ability of homeowners to hold general contractors, subcontractors, design professionals, or other construction professionals accountable for negligent work. Specifically, the Colorado Supreme Court has recognized an independent duty on the part of construction professionals to construct homes without […]
The cost of housing in Colorado has been an ongoing concern for homeowners, tenants, and developers alike. Senate Bill 25-131 (S.B. 25-131) seeks to address some of these issues by modifying laws related to construction defect claims, landlord-tenant relationships, and local energy code requirements. This bill, scheduled for its first hearing on March 4th at […]