Dog Bite Statute of Limitations in Colorado
Last verified 2026-07 · Source: C.R.S. § 13-80-102 ✓ verified · 3 sources
The deadline
2 years
from Date of the dog bite injury, under C.R.S. § 13-80-102.
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Colorado law sets a hard deadline of 2 years to file a dog bite lawsuit. The controlling statute is C.R.S. § 13-80-102, and the clock generally starts on Date of the dog bite injury. Below: exactly when that clock starts, the exceptions that can pause it, and the traps that shorten it.
Colorado Deadlines for Related Claims
| Claim type | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Dog Bite | 2 years | C.R.S. § 13-80-102 |
| 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) |
| Slip and Fall | 2 yrs | C.R.S. § 13-80-102 |
| Defamation | 1 yr | C.R.S. § 13-80-103(1)(a) |
| 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 dog bite injury claims generally begins on Date of the dog bite injury. 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: Written notice of claim required within 182 days before suing government entities under C.R.S. § 24-10-109
- Damage caps: Noneconomic damages capped at $1,500,000 for claims accruing on or after January 1, 2025, under C.R.S. § 13-21-102.5
Colorado imposes strict liability on dog owners under C.R.S. § 13-21-124; exceptions for trespassers and provoked dogs. 2-year SOL under § 13-80-102.
Source: C.R.S. § 13-80-102, 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 | 2 years | C.R.S. § 13-80-102 |
| Wyoming | 4 yrs | Wyo. Stat. § 1-3-105(a)(iv)(C) |
| Nebraska | 4 yrs | Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-207 |
| Kansas | 2 yrs | K.S.A. § 47-645 |
| Oklahoma | 2 yrs | 4 O.S. § 42.1 (strict liability); SOL: 12 O.S. § 95(A)(3) |
| New Mexico | 3 yrs | NMSA 1978 § 37-1-8 |
| Utah | 4 yrs | Utah Code Ann. § 18-1-1; SOL: § 78B-2-307 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a dog bite lawsuit in Colorado?
You have 2 years from Date of the dog bite injury, under C.R.S. § 13-80-102.
Can I still sue after 2 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?
Written notice of claim required within 182 days before suing government entities under C.R.S. § 24-10-109
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Sources
- Official Colorado Revised Statutes 2024 Title 13
- Corroborating Justia - C.R.S. § 13-80-102
- Corroborating Dog Bite SOL Colorado
- 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.