Breach of Contract Statute of Limitations in Colorado
Last verified 2026-07 · Source: Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-80-101(1)(a) ✓ verified · 3 sources
The deadline
3 years
from Date the cause of action accrues (date of breach), under Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-80-101(1)(a).
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If you're researching breach of contract claims in Colorado, the single most important number is 3 years. That's how long Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-80-101(1)(a) gives you to file a breach of contract lawsuit, counted from Date the cause of action accrues (date of breach). File even one day late and the court will almost certainly dismiss the case, no matter how strong it is.
Colorado Deadlines for Related Claims
| Claim type | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Breach of Contract | 3 years | Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-80-101(1)(a) |
| Car Accident | 3 yrs | C.R.S. § 13-80-101(1)(n) |
| Credit Card Debt | 6 yrs | Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-80-103.5(1)(a) |
| Medical Malpractice | 2 yrs | C.R.S. § 13-80-102.5 |
| Wrongful Death | 2 yrs | Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-21-204 (via § 13-80-102) |
| Personal Injury | 2 yrs | C.R.S. § 13-80-102(1)(a) |
| Dog Bite | 2 yrs | C.R.S. § 13-80-102 |
| Slip and Fall | 2 yrs | C.R.S. § 13-80-102 |
| Defamation | 1 yr | C.R.S. § 13-80-103(1)(a) |
| Medical Debt | 6 yrs | C.R.S. § 13-80-103.5 |
When the Clock Starts
In Colorado, the limitations period for breach of contract claims generally begins on Date the cause of action accrues (date of breach). Colorado does not apply a general discovery rule to this claim type — the date of the event controls, which makes early action critical.
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Exceptions That Can Extend the Deadline
- Minors: the clock is generally paused while the injured person is under 18.
- Fraudulent concealment: if the defendant actively hid the wrongdoing, the deadline may be extended until it was or should have been uncovered.
- Defendant leaves the state: absence can pause the clock in many circumstances.
- Government-claim trap: Notice of claim must be filed within 182 days for claims against public entities under CRS § 24-10-109.
All contract actions — written and oral — share the same 3-year SOL under CRS § 13-80-101(1)(a). No distinction between written and oral contracts. Minor tolling: CRS § 13-81-103.
Source: Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-80-101(1)(a), official Colorado statute · verified 2026-07
What to Do Before the Deadline Runs
- Pin down your accrual date — the day the clock started — and calendar the deadline conservatively.
- Preserve evidence now: photos, records, witness contacts, bills. Evidence decays faster than deadlines.
- Send preservation/notice letters where required (especially for Colorado government defendants).
- If the deadline is inside 6 months, treat it as urgent — filing suit is the only reliable way to stop the clock.
How Colorado Compares to Nearby States
| State | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 3 years | Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-80-101(1)(a) |
| Wyoming | 10 yrs | Wyo. Stat. § 1-3-105 |
| Nebraska | 5 yrs | Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-205 |
| Kansas | 5 yrs | K.S.A. 60-511(1) |
| Oklahoma | 5 yrs | 12 O.S. § 95(A)(1) |
| New Mexico | 6 yrs | NMSA 1978, § 37-1-3 |
| Utah | 6 yrs | Utah Code Ann. § 78B-2-309 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a breach of contract lawsuit in Colorado?
You have 3 years from Date the cause of action accrues (date of breach), under Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-80-101(1)(a).
Can I still sue after 3 years in Colorado?
Usually no — courts dismiss claims filed after the statute of limitations expires. Narrow exceptions (tolling for minors, fraudulent concealment) can extend the deadline; whether one applies depends on your facts.
What if the victim was a minor?
Colorado generally pauses ("tolls") the deadline while the injured person is under 18, giving them time to file after reaching adulthood. Special limits can still apply, so check the statute.
Is the deadline different for claims against the government?
Notice of claim must be filed within 182 days for claims against public entities under CRS § 24-10-109.
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Sources
- Official Colo. Rev. Stat. Title 13 — Colorado General Assembly 2024 Official PDF
- Corroborating Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-80-101 — Justia
- Corroborating Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-80-101 — FindLaw
- Verified 2026-07 under our 4-step process — every line checked against the sources above. How we verify
This page is legal information, not legal advice. Deadlines have exceptions that depend on your facts — confirm with a licensed Colorado attorney.