Colorado Statewide Rule
Colorado Premises Liability Snow Removal Standards Statewide
Key Facts
- Statute
- C.R.S. 13-21-115
- Type
- Premises Liability Act
- Preemption
- Exclusive injury remedy
- Local Add-on
- Cities set timelines
Summary
Colorado's Premises Liability Act sets statewide landowner duties regarding snow and ice. Specific clearing timelines remain a local ordinance matter under home rule across Colorado.
(3) In any civil action brought against a landowner by a person who alleges injury occurring while on the real property of another and by reason of the condition of such property, or activities conducted or circumstances existing on such property, the landowner is liable only as provided in subsection (4) of this section. Sections 13-21-111, 13-21-111.5, and 13-21-111.7 apply to an action to which this section applies. This subsection (3) must not be construed to abrogate the doctrine of attractive nuisance as applied to persons under fourteen years of age. A person who is at least fourteen years of age but is less than eighteen years of age is presumed competent for purposes of the application of this section. (4) (a) A trespasser may only recover damages willfully or deliberately caused by the landowner. (b) A licensee may only recover damages caused: (I) By the landowner's unreasonable failure to exercise reasonable care with respect to dangers created by the landowner that the landowner actually knew about; or (II) By the landowner's unreasonable failure to warn of dangers not created by the landowner that are not ordinarily present on property of the type involved and that the landowner actually knew about.
Full Breakdown
C.R.S. 13-21-115 establishes Colorado's Premises Liability Act, which is the exclusive remedy for injury claims against landowners and limits liability based on the entrant's status (invitee, licensee, trespasser). The statute preempts common-law negligence theories. Property owners owe invitees a duty to use reasonable care regarding known dangers including ice and snow. Specific snow removal hour requirements (e.g., 24 hours after snowfall) are set by local ordinances; the state law governs only liability standards.
Violations & Penalties
Premises liability claims allow injured invitees to recover damages where landowners failed to exercise reasonable care; local clearing ordinances carry citations $25-$500.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Colorado homeowner liable for sidewalk slip-and-falls?
Does Colorado require homeowners to shovel sidewalks?
Sources
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