Slip and Fall 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 injury was discovered or should have been discovered through the exercise of reasonable diligence, under C.R.S. § 13-80-102.
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Under C.R.S. § 13-80-102, you have 2 years from Date injury was discovered or should have been discovered through the exercise of reasonable diligence to file a slip and fall 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Slip and Fall | 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) |
| Dog Bite | 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 slip and fall injury claims generally begins on Date injury was discovered or should have been discovered through the exercise of reasonable diligence. Colorado recognizes a discovery rule for this claim type: C.R.S. § 13-80-108 provides discovery-based accrual; clock starts when plaintiff discovered or should have discovered both the injury and its cause.
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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: 182-day (approximately 6-month) notice of claim to governmental entity required before suit under the Colorado Governmental Immunity Act (C.R.S. § 24-10-109); failure bars the claim
- Damage caps: Non-economic damages capped at approximately $642,180 (inflation-adjusted base of $250,000) under C.R.S. § 13-21-102.5; cap may be raised up to approximately $1.28M upon clear and convincing evidence
Colorado has a 2-year discovery-based SOL. Falls on government property require 182-day notice of claim. Non-economic damage caps apply statewide and are inflation-adjusted annually.
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. Ann. § 1-3-105(a)(iv)(C) |
| Nebraska | 4 yrs | Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-207 |
| Kansas | 2 yrs | K.S.A. § 60-513(a)(4) |
| Oklahoma | 2 yrs | Okla. Stat. tit. 12, § 95(A)(3) |
| New Mexico | 3 yrs | NMSA 1978 § 37-1-8 |
| Utah | 4 yrs | Utah Code Ann. § 78B-2-307(3) |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a slip and fall lawsuit in Colorado?
You have 2 years from Date injury was discovered or should have been discovered through the exercise of reasonable diligence, 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 (the discovery rule, tolling for minors, fraudulent concealment) can extend the deadline; whether one applies depends on your facts.
Does the discovery rule apply to slip and fall injury claims in Colorado?
Yes. C.R.S. § 13-80-108 provides discovery-based accrual; clock starts when plaintiff discovered or should have discovered both the injury and its cause.
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?
182-day (approximately 6-month) notice of claim to governmental entity required before suit under the Colorado Governmental Immunity Act (C.R.S. § 24-10-109); failure bars the claim
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Sources
- Official C.R.S. Title 13 — Colorado General Assembly Official PDF
- Corroborating Colorado Personal Injury Laws — Nolo
- Corroborating C.R.S. § 13-80-102 — Justia
- 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.