In the recent Colorado Court of Appeals decision Stoecklein v. Fayette Farms, LLC (2024 WL 5098330), the Court addressed critical issues surrounding construction defect claims, statutes of limitations, and the interplay between the Colorado Consumer Protection Act (“CCPA”) and the Construction Defect Action Reform Act (“CDARA”). This case underscores the importance of understanding the statutory […]
Colorado Construction Litigation Blog
For years, Colorado’s economic loss rule has not applied to residential construction and has not impeded the ability of homeowners to hold general contractors, subcontractors, design professionals, or other construction professionals accountable for negligent work. Specifically, the Colorado Supreme Court has recognized an independent duty on the part of construction professionals to construct homes without […]
The cost of housing in Colorado has been an ongoing concern for homeowners, tenants, and developers alike. Senate Bill 25-131 (S.B. 25-131) seeks to address some of these issues by modifying laws related to construction defect claims, landlord-tenant relationships, and local energy code requirements. This bill, scheduled for its first hearing on March 4th at […]
The Colorado Court of Appeals recently issued a significant decision in Veolia Water Technologies, Inc. v. Antero Treatment LLC, 2024 COA 126, clarifying the scope of the economic loss rule and the role of fraudulent misrepresentation in design-build contracts. The case serves as a cautionary tale for both owners and contractors about the importance of […]
In an apparent gift to plaintiffs’ construction defect lawyers, Representatives Parenti and Bacon introduced House Bill 24-1230 on February 12, 2024. The bill was assigned to the House Judiciary Committee and is scheduled for hearing on March 6th, during the afternoon session beginning at 1:30 pm. To date, the bill does not have any senate […]
On February 5th, Senators Zenzinger and Coleman, along with Representative Bird, introduced Senate Bill 24-106 into the Colorado Legislature. The bill has been assigned to the Senate Committee on Local Government and Housing. What follows are the various portions of the bill I believe to be the most impactful, as described in the bill summary, […]
In a case of first impression, the First Division of the Colorado Court of Appeals recently reviewed whether parties may contractually alter the accrual time established by Colorado’s statute of limitations for construction defect actions, C.R.S. § 13-80-104, in South Conejos Sch. Dist. RE-10 v. Wold Architects, Inc., 2023 COA 85 (2023), decided on September […]
The Third Division of the Colorado Court of Appeals recently interpreted the Homeowner Protection Act of 2007 (the “HPA”) in Heights Healthcare v. BCER, 2023 COA 44, decided on May 25, 2023. The Court held that a senior living community that is located on a parcel zoned “commercial” or “mixed use” constitutes “residential property” that […]
On June 7, 2023, the Colorado Legislature passed House Bill 23-1192 (“HB 23-1192”), now codified at C.R.S. § 6-1-730. As it was first drafted, HB 23-1192 purported to create additional protections in the Colorado Consumer Protection Act (“CCPA”), but instead threatened to put construction professionals at an increased risk during litigation. Under Section One of […]
When a buyer purchases a product that is later discovered to be defective, the court offers a remedy to make the buyer whole. Such remedies can arise either out of a contract, including express and/or implied warranties, or under common law through a tort theory. However, what happens when a buyer has already received the […]
