El Paso County · Apartment and common-area injuries
Old Colorado City Apartment Premises Lawyers
Injured in a stairwell, parking lot, or entryway at an Old Colorado City apartment? Free consultation, no fee unless we recover for you.
Apartment Common-Area Claims in Old Colorado City
Landlords are responsible for the areas they control, not just the walls of a tenant's unit. Stairs, entries, breezeways, mailrooms, and parking areas around apartment buildings near Colorado Avenue and the 21st and 25th Street corridors are typically areas the landlord possesses or is responsible for maintaining. When a landlord controls a common area, Colorado premises law can treat the landlord as the landowner for that space.
That does not mean a landlord answers for every hazard a tenant might point to. If a condition existed only inside a leased unit, and the tenant controlled that space, the analysis is different from a hazard in a hallway or lot the landlord maintains. Figuring out who actually controlled the area where you were hurt is often the first question in these cases.
Even in a common area, Colorado's premises liability statute, C.R.S. § 13‑21‑115, still classifies the injured person as an invitee, licensee, or trespasser, and that classification shapes what duty the landlord owed. We look at why you were on the property and how the common area was used before deciding how to frame a claim.
What Helps Prove an Apartment Common-Area Claim
These cases often turn on maintenance and control records: who was assigned to clear ice from a walkway, who was supposed to fix a loose stair rail, and whether the landlord or a property management company had already been told about the problem. Work orders, lease terms describing maintenance responsibilities, and photos of the stairs, lighting, or railing involved can all matter.
Medical records from a visit to UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central or another provider help connect the fall or injury to the specific condition in the common area. We also look for witnesses, other tenants, delivery drivers, or visitors, who saw the hazard before you were hurt, since that can speak directly to whether the landlord had a chance to address it.
- Photograph the stairs, railing, walkway, or lighting where you were hurt
- Report the incident to the landlord or property manager in writing
- Get contact information for any neighbors or visitors who saw the area beforehand
- Keep records of any earlier complaints about the same stairs, ice, or lighting
- See a medical provider and keep copies of your treatment records
Handling These Claims in Old Colorado City and El Paso County
Old Colorado City has a mix of older apartment buildings and multi-unit properties near Colorado Avenue, U.S. Highway 24, and the streets running toward Manitou Springs. Many of these buildings have exterior stairways, shared parking areas, and older lighting fixtures that fall under landlord maintenance rather than tenant control. We look closely at property records and lease agreements to determine who was responsible for the specific area involved.
Claims arising from these injuries are generally handled in El Paso County Combined Courts. Our office at 929 W Colorado Ave, Colorado Springs, is close to many of these properties, which makes it easier to walk the scene, meet with witnesses, and gather documentation while conditions are still fresh.
Damages We Pursue in Apartment Common-Area Cases
- Medical bills for treatment of the fall or injury
- Future medical care if injuries require ongoing treatment
- Lost income from time away from work
- Pain and suffering from the injury
- Out-of-pocket costs tied to the incident
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Old Colorado City — and read client testimonials.
A passenger suffered traumatic brain, neck, and back injuries in a Colorado Springs intersection collision. After the carrier refused a fair number, a jury awarded $295,000 including interest and costs.
El Paso County jury verdict
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case depends on its facts, coverage, venue, and evidence.
Old Colorado City Apartment and common-area injuries FAQ
Is my landlord responsible for a fall on the apartment stairs?
If the stairs are a common area the landlord possesses or maintains, the landlord can be treated as the landowner for that space under Colorado premises law. Whether the landlord is actually liable depends on the condition of the stairs and what the landlord knew or should have known.
What if I fell inside my own apartment unit?
That is a different situation from a common area, since who controlled the space matters. We would need to look at whether the landlord or the tenant was responsible for the specific condition that caused the fall.
Does it matter why I was at the apartment complex?
Yes. Colorado's premises liability statute classifies visitors as invitees, licensees, or trespassers, and that status affects the duty the landlord owed even in a common area. We look at your relationship to the property to evaluate the claim.
What if the landlord says they didn't know about the hazard?
We look for evidence such as maintenance logs, prior complaints, or work orders that show the landlord knew or should have known about the condition. Witness statements from other tenants can also help establish how long a hazard existed.
Do I need a lawyer for a common-area injury claim?
These claims often require sorting out who controlled the area and what duty applied, which isn't always straightforward. We offer a free consultation to review the facts and explain your options, and you pay no fee unless we recover for you.
Discuss a Old Colorado City premises injury
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