El Paso County · Colorado premises liability law
Old Colorado City Premises Liability Lawyers
If you were hurt on someone else's property in Old Colorado City, free consultation, and no attorney fee unless we recover for you.
Landowner Duty Under Colorado Law
Colorado premises liability claims are governed by C.R.S. § 13‑21‑115, a statute that sets the landowner's duty based on why the injured person was on the property. The classification matters a great deal, and it is the first question we look at when someone comes to us after a fall or an injury at a shop, home, or business along Colorado Avenue or elsewhere in Old Colorado City.
If you were an invitee, such as a customer at a store or restaurant, the landowner owes you reasonable care against dangers it actually knew about or should have known about. If you were a licensee, such as a social guest in someone's home, the duty is narrower: the landowner must not unreasonably fail to use reasonable care for dangers it created and actually knew about, and it must warn of unusual dangers it did not create but actually knew about. That is a different and more limited duty than the one owed to a customer, and it is a distinction insurers often try to use against injured guests.
A trespasser can only recover for damages the landowner willfully or deliberately caused. Not every person hurt on someone else's property is a trespasser, and not every visitor is automatically an invitee. We work through the facts of where you were, why you were there, and what the property owner knew before deciding how your claim fits under the statute.
Building the Record Early
Because your status on the property changes what the landowner had to do, we start by pinning down the facts that establish it: why you were there, whether you had permission, and what arrangement or invitation brought you onto the premises. We also look for evidence of what the owner actually knew or should have known about the condition that hurt you, since that knowledge element is central under the statute regardless of which category applies.
This can mean gathering incident reports, maintenance records, photos of the condition, and witness statements from people who were nearby along Colorado Avenue, 21st Street, or 25th Street. If you were treated at UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central or another facility, those records help document the injury itself, but the property-side evidence is what determines whether the landowner is legally responsible.
- Note exactly where on the property you were injured and why you were there
- Photograph the condition that caused your injury before it can be repaired or removed
- Get names and contact information for anyone who saw what happened
- Report the incident to the property owner, manager, or occupant
- Keep any written communication with the property owner or their insurer
Handling Claims Near Old Colorado City
We work with clients injured at properties throughout Old Colorado City, from shops and businesses along Colorado Avenue to homes and lots near U.S. Highway 24, 21st Street, and 25th Street, as well as nearby Manitou Springs. Property types and layouts vary across this historic district, and that variety affects how we investigate a claim and who we expect the landowner's insurer to blame.
Claims arising from injuries here are typically handled in El Paso County Combined Courts. We are based nearby at 929 W Colorado Ave in Colorado Springs, which puts us close to the properties, witnesses, and records involved in premises cases from this part of town.
What You May Be Able to Recover
- Medical expenses related to the injury
- Future medical care if needed
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Other out-of-pocket losses tied to the injury
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 Colorado premises liability law FAQ
Does it matter whether I was invited onto the property?
Yes. Colorado law sets different duties depending on whether you were an invitee, a licensee, or a trespasser. Whether you had permission, and why you were there, directly affects what the landowner had to do to keep you safe.
What if I was a social guest rather than a paying customer?
As a licensee, you are owed a narrower duty than a customer. The landowner must not unreasonably fail to use reasonable care for dangers it created and knew about, and must warn of unusual dangers it knew about but did not create.
Can a trespasser ever recover for an injury?
A trespasser can only recover if the landowner willfully or deliberately caused the harm. This is a narrow path, but it is not an automatic bar in every case.
How do you figure out which category applies to me?
We look at the specific facts of why you were on the property, whether you had permission or an invitation, and what relationship existed between you and the owner. This determination shapes the rest of the claim.
Where would a premises liability claim from Old Colorado City be filed?
These claims are typically handled in El Paso County Combined Courts. We can walk you through what to expect once we've reviewed the facts of your case.
Discuss a Old Colorado City premises injury
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.