Defamation Statute of Limitations in Colorado
Last verified 2026-07 · Source: C.R.S. § 13-80-103(1)(a) ✓ verified · 3 sources
The deadline
1 year
from Date of first publication or utterance of the defamatory statement, under C.R.S. § 13-80-103(1)(a).
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Under C.R.S. § 13-80-103(1)(a), you have 1 year from Date of first publication or utterance of the defamatory statement to file a defamation lawsuit in Colorado. Miss it and you lose the right to sue — but several Colorado-specific exceptions can extend (or shorten) that window, detailed below.
Colorado Deadlines for Related Claims
| Claim type | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Defamation | 1 year | C.R.S. § 13-80-103(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 |
| Breach of Contract | 3 yrs | Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-80-101(1)(a) |
| Medical Debt | 6 yrs | C.R.S. § 13-80-103.5 |
When the Clock Starts
In Colorado, the limitations period for defamation and libel claims generally begins on Date of first publication or utterance of the defamatory statement. 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.
C.R.S. § 13-80-103(1)(a) explicitly lists 'libel, and slander' among tort actions requiring commencement within one year. Tolling for minors or mental incompetency available under C.R.S. § 13-81-103. Each republication may be treated as a separate cause of action restarting the one-year clock. Official text is published in Colorado General Assembly's Title 13 PDF at content.leg.colorado.gov.
Source: C.R.S. § 13-80-103(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 | 1 year | C.R.S. § 13-80-103(1)(a) |
| Wyoming | 1 yr | Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 1-3-105(a)(v)(A) |
| Nebraska | 1 yr | Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-208 |
| Kansas | 1 yr | K.S.A. § 60-514(a) |
| Oklahoma | 1 yr | Okla. Stat. tit. 12, § 95(4) |
| New Mexico | 3 yrs | NMSA 1978 § 37-1-8 |
| Utah | 1 yr | Utah Code Ann. § 78B-2-302 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a defamation lawsuit in Colorado?
You have 1 year from Date of first publication or utterance of the defamatory statement, under C.R.S. § 13-80-103(1)(a).
Can I still sue after 1 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.
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Sources
- Official Colorado Revised Statutes 2024 Title 13 – Courts and Court Procedure (Colorado General Assembly, contains CRS § 13-80-103)
- Corroborating Colorado Revised Statutes § 13-80-103 (2024) – General Limitation of Actions – One Year (Justia)
- Corroborating Colorado Revised Statutes Title 13 § 13-80-103 – General Limitation of Actions – One Year (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.