Jefferson County · Colorado premises liability law
Golden Premises Liability Lawyers
Injured on someone else's property in Golden? Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.
Your Legal Status Determines the Landowner's Duty
Colorado premises liability claims are governed by C.R.S. § 13‑21‑115, which sets a landowner's duty based on why the injured person was on the property. This is not a one-size-fits-all standard. The law separates people into invitees, licensees, and trespassers, and each category carries a different legal duty.
If you were an invitee, such as a customer at a business along Washington Avenue or West Colfax Avenue, the landowner owed you reasonable care against dangers they actually knew about or should have known about through reasonable inspection. If you were a licensee, such as a social guest at a private home, the duty is narrower: the landowner must not unreasonably fail to use reasonable care for dangers they created and actually knew about, and must warn of unusual dangers they knew about but did not create. That is a different and more limited duty than what a business owes its customers.
Trespassers face the most limited protection under the statute. A trespasser can generally recover only for damages the landowner willfully or deliberately caused. We do not assume every trespasser is automatically barred from recovery, but the bar is high, and we look closely at the facts before making any claim about how the law applies.
Building the Record for a Golden Premises Case
Because the landowner's duty depends on your status as invitee, licensee, or trespasser, we start by establishing why you were on the property and what the owner knew or should have known about the hazard. That means gathering photos of the condition, incident reports, maintenance and inspection records, and statements from anyone who saw what happened. Evidence showing the owner had actual knowledge of a dangerous condition, or should have discovered it through reasonable care, can be central to an invitee claim.
Medical records matter too. If you were treated at CommonSpirit St. Anthony Hospital in Lakewood or another facility, we obtain those records to connect your injuries to the fall or incident. We also look at the property itself, whether it's a business near West Colfax Avenue, a residence in Arvada, or land along Colorado Highway 93, because the type of property and the reason you were there shape which duty applies and what proof we need.
- Photograph the hazard and the surrounding area before conditions change
- Get contact information for any witnesses on scene
- Seek medical care and keep all records and bills
- Write down how you were on the property and what happened, while memory is fresh
- Avoid giving recorded statements to an insurer before speaking with us
Handling Premises Claims in Golden and Jefferson County
We work with clients hurt on properties throughout Golden, from retail spots along Washington Avenue to residences and businesses near Lakewood and Arvada. Premises cases arising in Golden are typically handled in Jefferson County Courts, and we're familiar with how these claims move through that system.
Whether the injury happened on a commercial property, a private home, or land along a route like Colorado Highway 93, we take the time to understand the specific circumstances of how you came to be there. That context drives the legal analysis under Colorado's premises liability statute, and it's the starting point for every case we take on in this area.
Damages We Pursue in Premises Cases
- Medical expenses related to the injury
- Lost income from time away from work
- Pain and suffering
- Future medical care if injuries are ongoing
- Permanent impairment or disfigurement, where applicable
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Golden — and read client testimonials.
After I was hit by a drunk driver with no insurance, my own insurer refused UM benefits. McCormick & Murphy sued for uninsured motorist benefits and bad faith. A jury awarded me over $900,000.
C. O., Denver · UM / bad-faith verdict
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case depends on its facts, coverage, venue, and evidence.
Golden Colorado premises liability law FAQ
What's the difference between an invitee and a licensee in Colorado?
An invitee, like a store customer, is owed reasonable care against dangers the landowner actually knew about or should have known about. A licensee, like a social guest, is owed a narrower duty limited to dangers the landowner created and actually knew about, or unusual dangers they failed to warn about. The two are not treated the same under Colorado law.
Can a trespasser recover damages after a fall in Golden?
It's possible, but the standard is narrow. A trespasser generally can only recover if the landowner willfully or deliberately caused the harm. We review the specific facts of how someone came to be on the property before drawing conclusions about a claim.
Am I automatically an invitee if I'm on someone's property?
No. Colorado law separates people into invitees, licensees, and trespassers depending on the purpose and permission for being there. Your status affects what duty the landowner owed you, so we look closely at the circumstances of your visit.
What if I was hurt at a business near West Colfax Avenue?
If you were a customer or otherwise invited for business purposes, you were likely an invitee, meaning the business owed you reasonable care against known or discoverable hazards. We gather inspection and maintenance records to see whether that duty was met.
Do you handle premises cases that go through Jefferson County Courts?
Yes, we handle premises liability claims arising in Golden and the surrounding area, including matters that proceed through Jefferson County Courts. We're familiar with the local court process and how these cases typically move forward.
Discuss a Golden premises injury
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.