Colorado Revised Statutes

Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-21-203 (2026)

Limitation on damages

✓ current as of July 2026

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(1) (a) All damages accruing under section 13-21- 202 shall be sued for and recovered by the same parties and in the same manner as provided in section 13-21-201, and in every such action the jury may give such damages as they may deem fair and just, with reference to the necessary injury resulting from such death, including damages for noneconomic loss or injury as defined in section 13-21-102.5 and subject to the limitations of this section and including within noneconomic loss or injury damages for grief, loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional stress, to the surviving parties who may be entitled to sue; and also having regard to the mitigating or aggravating circumstances attending any such wrongful act, neglect, or default; except that, if the decedent left neither a widow, a widower, minor children, nor a dependent father or mother, the damages recoverable in any such action shall not exceed the sum of two million one hundred twenty-five thousand dollars in any wrongful death action or binding arbitration filed on or after January 1, 2025, and before January 1, 2026, or any wrongful death claim that accrues on or after January 1, 2025, in which damages for derivative or direct noneconomic loss or injury may be awarded, unless the wrongful act, neglect, or default causing death constitutes a felonious killing, as defined in section 15-11-803 (1)(b), and as determined in the manner described in section 15-11-803 (7), in which case there shall be no limitation on the damages for noneconomic loss or injury recoverable in such action. No action shall be brought and no recovery shall be had under both section 13-21-201 and section 13-21-202, and in all cases the plaintiff is required to elect under which section he or she will proceed. There shall be only one civil action under this part 2 for recovery of damages for the wrongful death of any one decedent. Notwithstanding anything in this section or in section 13-21-102.5 to the contrary, there shall be no recovery under this part 2 for noneconomic loss or injury in excess of two million one hundred twenty-five thousand dollars in any wrongful death action or binding arbitration filed on or after January 1, 2025, and before January 1, 2026, or any wrongful death claim that accrues on or after January 1, 2025, in which damages for derivative or direct noneconomic loss or injury may be awarded, unless the wrongful act, neglect, or default causing death constitutes a felonious killing, as defined in section 15-11-803 (1)(b), and as determined in the manner described in section 15-11-803 (7). Damages arising from claims brought against a public entity or public employee, as defined in section 24-10-103, shall be controlled by the damage limitations set forth in section 24-10-114. (b) Notwithstanding the limitation set forth in subsection (1)(a) of this section or in section 13-64-302 (1): (I) Effective January 1, 2025, the total amount recoverable for derivative or direct noneconomic loss or injury, as defined in section 13-64-302 (1)(a)(I) and (1)(a)(II), in any civil action or binding arbitration for damages in tort brought against a health-care professional, as defined in section 13-64-202 (4), or a health-care institution, as defined in section 13-64-202 (3), based on a claim of wrongful death of a patient shall not exceed five hundred fifty-five thousand dollars, which amount applies to acts or omissions occurring on or after January 1, 2025, but before January 1, 2026. (II) Effective January 1, 2026, the total amount recoverable for derivative or direct noneconomic loss or injury, as defined in section 13-64-302 (1)(a)(I) and (1)(a)(II), in any civil action or binding arbitration for damages in tort brought against a health-care professional, as defined in section 13-64-202 (4), or a health-care institution, as defined in section 13-64-202 (3), based on a claim of wrongful death of a patient shall not exceed eight hundred ten thousand dollars, which amount applies to acts or omissions occurring on or after January 1, 2026, but before January 1, 2027. (III) Effective January 1, 2027, the total amount recoverable for derivative or direct noneconomic loss or injury, as defined in section 13-64-302 (1)(a)(I) and (1)(a)(II), in any civil action or binding arbitration for damages in tort brought against a health-care professional, as defined in section 13-64-202 (4), or a health-care institution, as defined in section 13-64-202 (3), based on a claim of wrongful death of a patient shall not exceed one million sixty-five thousand dollars, which amount applies to acts or omissions occurring on or after January 1, 2027, but before January 1, 2028. (IV) Effective January 1, 2028, the total amount recoverable for derivative or direct noneconomic loss or injury, as defined in section 13-64-302 (1)(a)(I) and (1)(a)(II), in any civil action or binding arbitration for damages in tort brought against a health-care professional, as defined in section 13-64-202 (4), or a health-care institution, as defined in section 13-64-202 (3), based on a claim of wrongful death of a patient shall not exceed one million three hundred twenty thousand dollars, which amount applies to acts or omissions occurring on or after January 1, 2028, but before January 1, 2029. (V) Effective January 1, 2029, the total amount recoverable for derivative or direct noneconomic loss or injury, as defined in section 13-64-302 (1)(a)(I) and (1)(a)(II), in any civil action or binding arbitration for damages in tort brought against a health-care professional, as defined in section 13-64-202 (4), or a health-care institution, as defined in section 13-64-202 (3), based on a claim of wrongful death of a patient shall not exceed one million five hundred seventy-five thousand dollars, which amount applies to acts or omissions occurring on or after January 1, 2029, but before January 1, 2030. (VI) Effective January 1, 2030, the limitation on damages specified in subsection (1)(b)(V) of this section shall be adjusted in accordance with section 13-21-203.7 (4). (VII) The limitations of subsection (1)(b)(I) of this section are not applicable to a health- care professional who is a public employee under the "Colorado Governmental Immunity Act" and are not applicable to a certified health-care institution that is a public entity under the "Colorado Governmental Immunity Act". (2) This section shall apply to a cause of action based on a wrongful act, neglect, or default occurring on or after July 1, 1969. A cause of action based on a wrongful act, neglect, or default occurring prior to July 1, 1969, shall be governed by the law in force and effect at the time of such wrongful act, neglect, or default. (3) (a) In all actions brought under section 13-21-201 or 13-21-202 in which damages are assessed by the trier of fact, and the death complained of is attended by circumstances of fraud, malice, or willful and wanton conduct, the trier of fact, in addition to the actual damages, may award reasonable exemplary damages. The amount of such reasonable exemplary damages shall not exceed an amount that is equal to the amount of the actual damages awarded to the injured party. (b) For purposes of this subsection (3), "willful and wanton conduct" shall have the same meaning as set forth in section 13-21-102 (1)(b). (c) (I) A claim for exemplary damages in an action governed by this section may not be included in any initial claim for relief. A claim for exemplary damages in an action governed by this section shall be allowed by amendment to the pleadings only after the passage of sixty days following the exchange of initial disclosures pursuant to rule 26 of the Colorado rules of civil procedure and the plaintiff establishes prima facie proof of a triable issue. After the plaintiff establishes the existence of a triable issue of exemplary damages, the court may, in its discretion, allow additional discovery on the issue of exemplary damages as the court deems appropriate. (II) A claim for exemplary damages in an action governed by this section shall not be time barred by the applicable provisions of law for the commencement of actions, so long as: (A) The claim for exemplary damages arises, pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subsection (3), from the claim in such action that is brought under section 13-21-201 or 13-21-202; and (B) The claim in such action that is brought under section 13-21-201 or 13-21-202 is not time barred. (III) The assertion of a claim for exemplary damages in an action governed by this section shall not be rendered ineffective solely because the assertion was made after the applicable deadline contained in the court's case management order, so long as the plaintiff establishes that he or she did not discover, and could not have reasonably discovered prior to such deadline, the grounds for asserting the exemplary damages claim. (4) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (3) of this section, the court may reduce or disallow the award of exemplary damages to the extent that: (a) The deterrent effect of the damages has been accomplished; or (b) The conduct that resulted in the award has ceased; or (c) The purpose of such damages has otherwise been served. (5) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (3) of this section, the court may increase any award of exemplary damages to a sum not to exceed three times the amount of actual damages, if it is shown that: (a) The defendant has continued the behavior or repeated the action that is the subject of the claim against the defendant in a willful and wanton manner against another person or persons during the pendency of the case; or (b) The defendant has acted in a willful and wanton manner during the pendency of the action in a manner that has further aggravated the damages of the plaintiff when the defendant knew or should have known such action would produce aggravation. (6) The provisions of this section shall not apply to a peace officer, as described in section 16-2.5-101, C.R.S., or to any firefighter, as defined in section 18-3-201 (1.5), C.R.S., for claims arising out of injuries sustained from an act or omission of the peace officer or firefighter acting in the performance of his or her duties and within the scope of his or her employment. (7) Nothing in this section shall be construed to alter or amend the provisions of section 13-64-302.5 or the provisions of part 1 of article 10 of title 24, C.R.S.

Source: G.L. § 879. G.S. § 1032. R.S. 08: § 2058. C.L. § 6304. CSA: C. 50, § 3. L. 51: p. 339, § 2. CRS 53: § 41-1-3. L. 57: p. 338, §§ 1, 2. C.R.S. 1963: § 41-1-3. L. 67: p. 481, § 1. L. 69: pp. 329, 330, §§ 1, 3. L. 89: (1) amended, p. 752, § 2, effective July 1. L. 96: (1) amended, p. 49, § 1, effective July 1. L. 2001: Entire section amended, p. 376, § 1, effective August 8. L. 2003: (1) amended, p. 1787, § 2, effective July 1; (6) amended, p. 1614, § 6, effective August 6. L. 2014: (6) amended, (HB 14-1214), ch. 336, p. 1498, § 8, effective August 6. L. 2024: (1) amended, (HB 24-1472), ch. 325, p. 2173, § 4, effective January 1, 2025.

Cross references: For the legislative declaration in HB 24-1472, see section 1 of chapter 325, Session Laws of Colorado 2024.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 52 cases (5 in the last 5 years), 1975–2025 · leading case: Lanahan v. Chi Psi Fraternity, 175 P.3d 97 (Colo. 2008).

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Lanahan v. Chi Psi Fraternity, 175 P.3d 97 (Colo. 2008). · cites it 58× “The issue we consider today is whether the noneconomic damages cap in section 13-21-203, C.R.S. (2007), applies on a per defendant basis or a per claim basis.”

Alhilo v. Kliem, 2016 COA 142 (Colo. Ct. App. 2016). · cites it 23× “¶6 After the jury returned its verdict, plaintiff calculated Kliem’s share of the noneconomic damages at $412,500 and sought judgment in that amount, correctly pointing out that it was less than the cap in section 13-21-203, C.R.S. 2016. Kliem responded that the court should…”

BG's, Inc. v. Gross Ex Rel. Gross, 23 P.3d 691 (Colo. 2001). · cites it 23× “§ 13-21-203. As an alternative to establishing these noneconomic damages, the general assembly has provided wrongful-death plaintiffs with the option of electing a $50,000 award, referred to as a "solatium.”

Stamp v. Vail Corp., 172 P.3d 437 (Colo. 2007). · cites it 9× “§ 13-21-203(1)(a), C.R.S. (2007). . The WDA's exemplary damages provision provides: A claim for exemplary damages in an action governed by this section may not be included in any initial claim for relief.”

People v. Lassek, 122 P.3d 1029 (Colo. Ct. App. 2005). · cites it 3× “Section 13-21-203, C.R.S.2004; B.G.’s, Inc.”

Ross v. Pub. Serv., 2025 COA 31 (Colo. Ct. App. 2025). · cites it 28× “2, § 13-21-203, 2024 Colo. Sess. Laws 2171 -74, 2178.”

Klancke v. Smith, 829 P.2d 464 (Colo. Ct. App. 1991). · cites it 8× “Section 13-21-203, C.R.S. (1987 Repl.Vol.”

Mitson Ex Rel. Mitson v. AG Eng'g & Dev. Co., 835 F. Supp. 572 (D. Colo. 1993). · cites it 15× “Section 13-21-203, C.R.S. limits noneconomic recovery “for the wrongful death of any one decedent”, not multiple decedents.”

Steedle v. Sereff, 167 P.3d 135 (Colo. 2007). · cites it 4× “This holding does not control the outcome of this case because there is no analogous statutory provision re *140 quiring claims of joint property owners to be collective-such as section 13-21-203(1)(a) of the Wrongful Death Act-and the Gladin plaintiffs therefore established…”

McClanahan v. Am. Gilsonite Co., 494 F. Supp. 1334 (D. Colo. 1980). · cites it 3× “Morris, the surviving spouse and children, respectively, of decedent Rex Morris, filed claims under the Colorado wrongful death statute, section 13-21-203, C.R.S.1973. These plaintiffs contend that because theirs is a wrongful death action, the applicable statute of limitations…”

Folz v. State, 797 P.2d 246 (N.M. 1990). · cites it 2× “" Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-21-203 (Repl.Pamp. 1987).”

Morrison v. Colorado Permanente Med. Grp., P.C., 983 F. Supp. 937 (D. Colo. 1997). · cites it 4× “Section 13-21-203(1), C.R.S. states, in pertinent part, that “[t]here shall be only one civil action .”

Show all 52 citing cases →

— Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-21-203(1) — 12 cases

Mitson Ex Rel. Mitson v. AG Eng'g & Dev. Co., 835 F. Supp. 572 (D. Colo. 1993). “Section 13-21-203, C.R.S. limits noneconomic recovery “for the wrongful death of any one decedent”, not multiple decedents.”

Morrison v. Colorado Permanente Med. Grp., P.C., 983 F. Supp. 937 (D. Colo. 1997). “Section 13-21-203(1), C.R.S. states, in pertinent part, that “[t]here shall be only one civil action .”

Est. of Kronemeyer v. Meinig, 948 P.2d 119 (Colo. Ct. App. 1997).

Aiken v. Peters, 899 P.2d 382 (Colo. Ct. App. 1995).

Landsberg v. Hutsell, 837 P.2d 205 (Colo. Ct. App. 1992).

— Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-21-203(1)(a) — 8 cases

Stamp v. Vail Corp., 172 P.3d 437 (Colo. 2007). “§ 13-21-203(1)(a), C.R.S. (2007). . The WDA's exemplary damages provision provides: A claim for exemplary damages in an action governed by this section may not be included in any initial claim for relief.”

Ross v. Pub. Serv., 2025 COA 31 (Colo. Ct. App. 2025). “2, § 13-21-203, 2024 Colo. Sess. Laws 2171 -74, 2178.”

Steedle v. Sereff, 167 P.3d 135 (Colo. 2007). “This holding does not control the outcome of this case because there is no analogous statutory provision re *140 quiring claims of joint property owners to be collective-such as section 13-21-203(1)(a) of the Wrongful Death Act-and the Gladin plaintiffs therefore established…”

Alhilo v. Kliem, 2016 COA 142 (Colo. Ct. App. 2016). “¶6 After the jury returned its verdict, plaintiff calculated Kliem’s share of the noneconomic damages at $412,500 and sought judgment in that amount, correctly pointing out that it was less than the cap in section 13-21-203, C.R.S. 2016. Kliem responded that the court should…”

John Nicola v. City of Grand Junction, 544 P.3d 120 (Colo. Ct. App. 2023).

— Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-21-203(3)(a) — 2 cases

Wake v. SSC Greeley Centennial Operating Co., 991 F. Supp. 2d 1143 (D. Colo. 2013).

— Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-21-203(3)(c)(I) — 3 cases

Hernandez v. City & Cnty. of Denver, 2018 COA 151 (Colo. Ct. App. 2018).

Wake v. SSC Greeley Centennial Operating Co., 991 F. Supp. 2d 1143 (D. Colo. 2013).

— Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-21-203(l)(a) — 5 cases

Lanahan v. Chi Psi Fraternity, 175 P.3d 97 (Colo. 2008). “The issue we consider today is whether the noneconomic damages cap in section 13-21-203, C.R.S. (2007), applies on a per defendant basis or a per claim basis.”

Martin v. Ohio Cnty. Hosp. Corp., 295 S.W.3d 104 (Ky. 2009).

Sereff v. Steedle, 148 P.3d 192 (Colo. Ct. App. 2006).

Valencia v. Colorado Cas. Ins., 560 F. Supp. 2d 1080 (D.N.M. 2007).

Plaza Ins. v. Lester, 110 F. Supp. 3d 1041 (D. Colo. 2015).

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