Sexual Assault Attorneys in Colorado: Your Complete Legal Guide
If you or someone you love has survived sexual assault in Colorado, this guide explains your legal rights, Colorado’s key laws protecting survivors, and profiles five law firms that handle civil sexual assault claims across the state.
Introduction
Colorado passed landmark legislation in 2021 that fundamentally changed the civil legal landscape for sexual assault survivors. Senate Bill 21-073, signed into law by Governor Polis in April 2021, eliminated the prior six-year civil statute of limitations for sexual assault claims, giving survivors of recent and future assaults unlimited time to pursue civil justice. Colorado’s laws now rank among the most survivor-friendly in the nation. Whether the assault occurred at the hands of an individual, an employer, a school, a religious institution, or any other organization, civil law provides survivors a path to financial compensation and accountability.
Colorado Sexual Assault Laws
Definitions and Criminal Offenses
Colorado’s sexual offense statutes are found primarily in C.R.S. § 18-3-402 through § 18-3-416.
Sexual Assault (C.R.S. § 18-3-402) is defined as knowingly inflicting sexual intrusion or sexual penetration on a victim without consent. Sexual assault is a class 4 felony in its base form, carrying 2 to 8 years in prison and fines up to $500,000. It elevates to a class 3 felony (4 to 16 years) when force, threats, or drugs are involved, and to a class 2 felony (8 to 24 years) in the most aggravated circumstances. Any conviction requires sex offender registration.
Unlawful Sexual Contact (C.R.S. § 18-3-404) covers unwanted touching of intimate body parts without consent. It is generally a class 1 misdemeanor but elevates to a class 4 felony when force or intimidation is used, or when the victim is physically helpless, mentally incapacitated, or under 15.
Sexual Assault on a Child (C.R.S. § 18-3-405) covers sexual contact with a child under 15. It is a class 4 felony, elevating to a class 3 felony when the actor is in a position of trust (teacher, coach, therapist, etc.) or when the pattern of abuse involves multiple incidents.
Sexual Assault on a Child by One in a Position of Trust (C.R.S. § 18-3-405.3) covers sexual contact by a person in a position of trust with a victim under 18. It is a class 3 felony, and a class 2 felony if the victim is under 15.
Colorado’s age of consent is 17. The state has no general Romeo and Juliet exception, though consensual contact between teens close in age may be treated as a lesser offense at the prosecutor’s discretion.
Statutes of Limitations
Criminal SOL
Under C.R.S. § 16-5-401, there is no criminal statute of limitations for class 1, 2, or 3 felony sexual offenses against children. For adult victims, prosecutors generally have 20 years to file charges for felony sexual assault (class 3 or higher). Class 4 felony sexual assault carries a 10-year criminal SOL. Misdemeanor sexual offenses have shorter SOL periods.
Civil SOL
Senate Bill 21-073, effective January 1, 2022, eliminated the civil statute of limitations for sexual misconduct claims in Colorado. Under C.R.S. § 13-80-103.7 as amended, there is no time limit to bring a civil claim for:
- Sexual assault (felony-level) and class 1 misdemeanor sexual contact occurring on or after January 1, 2022
- Claims accruing before January 1, 2022, where the prior 6-year statute of limitations had not yet expired as of January 1, 2022 (meaning the assault occurred on or after January 1, 2016)
For assaults that occurred before January 1, 2016, the prior 6-year statute of limitations had already expired before SB 73 took effect, and those claims are generally time-barred unless another exception applies. SB 73 does not revive already-expired claims – a separate bill (SB 88) attempted to do so but faced constitutional challenges, and the Colorado Supreme Court struck down retroactive revival provisions.
SB 88 (also effective January 1, 2022) created a separate civil cause of action allowing survivors of childhood sexual abuse to sue organizations that operated youth programs and knew or should have known of a risk of misconduct. This claim is also subject to the no-SOL rule for conduct occurring after January 1, 2022, or not yet time-barred as of that date.
For adult assault victims whose cases fall outside SB 73’s protection, consult an attorney to assess whether any other tolling exceptions apply.
Top 5 Sexual Assault Attorneys in Colorado
1. Parker Lipman LLP
Phone: (720) 408-6840
Website: https://www.parkerlipman.com
Address: Denver, CO
Parker Lipman is a Denver plaintiff firm with dedicated sexual assault representation for victims in civil claims across Colorado. The firm secured a $2.8 million jury verdict in a sexual assault case involving a 13-year-old survivor. Attorneys represent victims in claims against individuals, businesses, and organizations arising from negligent security, poor supervision in schools and daycares, negligent hiring, and institutional failures. The firm also represents athletes in civil claims against professional organizations including USA Swimming, the United States Olympic Committee, and USA Taekwondo. Parker Lipman offers free consultations and handles cases on a contingency fee basis.
2. Bachus & Schanker
Phone: Denver (303) 222-2222 | Fort Collins (970) 222-2222 | Colorado Springs (719) 888-8888
Website: https://www.coloradolaw.net
Offices: Denver, Fort Collins, Colorado Springs, Aurora, Boulder, Broomfield, Grand Junction
Bachus & Schanker is one of Colorado’s largest plaintiff firms with a dedicated sexual assault practice. In addition to experienced attorneys, the firm provides dedicated Victim’s Advocates who accompany clients throughout the civil and criminal process, ensuring court participants respect victim rights and communicating with prosecutors about criminal charges. The firm handles all civil sexual misconduct claims under SB 73 and notes that starting in 2022, Colorado survivors face no civil statute of limitations. Bachus & Schanker offers free consultations and operates on a contingency fee basis.
3. Bell & Pollock, P.C.
Phone: (303) 795-5900
Website: https://www.bellpollockinjury.com
Address: Denver, CO
Bell & Pollock is a Denver plaintiff firm representing sexual assault survivors in civil claims against perpetrators and institutions. The firm handles claims arising from institutional failure to prevent abuse in schools, nursing homes, daycares, healthcare facilities, and workplaces. Attorneys are experienced in pursuing institutional liability theories including negligent hiring, negligent supervision, and negligent retention. Bell & Pollock offers free, confidential, no-obligation consultations and takes cases on a contingency basis.
4. GV Legal (The Greer Law Group)
Phone: (303) 331-6460
Website: https://gvlegal.net
Address: Denver, CO
Attorneys: Marlo Greer, Kevin Van Donselaar, Stacy Benner
GV Legal is a Denver personal injury firm whose attorneys handle civil sexual assault claims on behalf of survivors throughout Colorado. The firm files claims against perpetrators, employers, property owners, schools, daycares, and youth organizations whose negligence enabled the abuse. Attorneys note that SB 88 (2021) created a specific right of action allowing minor assault victims to sue organizations operating youth programs that failed to address a known risk of misconduct. GV Legal offers free case evaluations and operates on a contingency fee basis.
5. The Zalkin Law Firm, LLP
Phone: See website for Colorado contact
Website: https://www.zalkin.com/colorado-sex-abuse-attorney/
The Zalkin Law Firm is a nationally recognized sexual abuse litigation firm with a Colorado-specific practice. The firm handles child sexual abuse cases, clergy abuse, campus sexual assault, Jehovah’s Witness abuse, and medical sexual abuse across Colorado and nationally. Attorneys include Irwin Zalkin, Alex Zalkin, Devin Storey, Ryan Cohen, Tallis Radwick, Daniel Varon, Edmond Menchavez, Sheila Haddock, Kristian Roggendorf, Elizabeth Cate, Elizabeth Hiller, Michael Carroll, Lyndsey Gallagher, and Hunter Haddock. The firm offers free consultations and handles cases on a contingency fee basis.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there really no time limit to file a civil sexual assault lawsuit in Colorado?
For assaults occurring on or after January 1, 2022, and for assaults that occurred between January 1, 2016 and January 1, 2022 (where the prior SOL had not yet expired), there is no civil statute of limitations. For assaults occurring before January 1, 2016, the prior 6-year SOL had already run and those claims are generally time-barred. Consult an attorney to determine which rule applies to your specific situation.
Can I sue an institution that failed to prevent the assault?
Yes. Colorado law allows survivors to pursue civil claims against organizations – schools, churches, sports programs, employers, nursing homes, daycares – that failed to prevent foreseeable sexual misconduct. SB 88 created an explicit cause of action for youth program organizations that knew or should have known of a risk of sexual misconduct against minors.
What compensation can I recover?
Economic damages include medical bills, therapy and counseling costs, and lost wages. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. In cases of particularly egregious conduct, punitive damages may be available.
Do I need a criminal conviction to file a civil claim?
No. Civil and criminal cases are separate. You can bring a civil lawsuit whether or not the perpetrator was criminally charged, convicted, or acquitted. The civil burden of proof – more probable than not – is lower than the criminal standard.
Closing
Colorado’s SB 73 makes the state one of the most accessible jurisdictions for sexual assault civil litigation. If your assault occurred after January 1, 2016 and the prior SOL had not expired, you have unlimited time to file. The firms listed above offer free, confidential consultations and handle cases on a no-fee-unless-you-win basis.
For immediate crisis support, contact the RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Colorado’s statewide crisis line is available through CCASA at 1-800-656-HOPE.