§ 13-21-102 — Exemplary damages

Colorado § 13-21-102

• Jurisdiction: Colorado
• Title 13: Courts
• Art.: Damages

Text

(1) (a) In all civil actions in which damages
are assessed by a jury for a wrong done to the person or to personal or real
property, and the injury complained of is attended by circumstances of fraud,
malice, or willful and wanton conduct, the jury, in addition to the actual damages
sustained by such party, may award him reasonable exemplary damages. The
amount of such reasonable exemplary damages shall not exceed an amount which
is equal to the amount of the actual damages awarded to the injured party.

(b) As used in this section, willful and wanton conduct means conduct
purposefully committed which the actor must have realized as dangerous, done
heedlessly and recklessly, without regard to consequences, or of the rights and
safety of others, particularly the plaintiff.

(1.5) (a) 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 may be allowed by amendment to the pleadings
only after 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.

(b) The provisions of paragraph (a) of this subsection (1.5) shall not apply to
any civil action or arbitration proceeding described in section 13-21-203 (3)(c) or 13-64-302.5 (3).

(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (1) 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 which resulted in the award has ceased; or

(c) The purpose of such damages has otherwise been served.

(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (1) 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 which is
the subject of the claim against the defendant in a willful and wanton manner,
either against the plaintiff or 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 which has further aggravated the damages of
the plaintiff when the defendant knew or should have known such action would
produce aggravation.

(4) Repealed.

(5) Unless otherwise provided by law, exemplary damages shall not be
awarded in administrative or arbitration proceedings, even if the award or decision
is enforced or approved in an action commenced in a court.

(6) In any civil action in which exemplary damages may be awarded, evidence
of the income or net worth of a party shall not be considered in determining the
appropriateness or amount of such damages.

Legislative History

Source: L. 1889: p. 64, � 1. R.S. 08: � 2067. C.L. � 6307. CSA: C. 50, � 6. CRS 53: � 41-2-2. C.R.S. 1963: � 41-2-2. L. 86: Entire section amended, p. 675, � 1, effective July 1. L. 95: (4) repealed, p. 14, � 1, effective March 9. L. 2003: (1.5) added, p. 1044, � 1, effective August 6.