Colorado § 13-50.5-101 - Short title.
Full text of Colorado Colorado Revised Statutes § 13-50.5-101 — Short title., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 13-50.5-101. Short title.
This article shall be known and may be cited as the "Uniform Contribution Among Tortfeasors Act".
Source: L. 77: Entire article added, p. 808, § 1, effective July 1.
ANNOTATION
Law reviews. For article, "Immunity to Direct Action: Is it a Defense to a Contribution Claim?", see 52 U. Colo. L. Rev. 151 (1980). For article, "Conflicts in Settlement of Personal Injury Cases", see 11 Colo. Law. 399 (1982). For article, "Application of Comparative Negligence and Contribution Statutes to Third-Party Defendants", see 13 Colo. Law. 626 (1984). For article, "Set-Off Under the Contribution and Collateral Source Statutes", see 21 Colo. Law. 1421 (1992).
Traditional theories of loss allocation in tort altered. The general assembly has altered traditional theories of loss allocation in tort with the passage of this act and with the introduction of a comparative negligence scheme into Colorado law, § 13-21-111. Pub. Serv. Co. v. District Court, 638 P.2d 772 (Colo. 1981).
Act remedies harsh common-law rule. This act is designed to remedy a harsh common-law rule. Changing rules of tort liability have expanded the number of parties who can be considered joint tortfeasors, while the rule of joint and several liability left the plaintiff with control over who would ultimately bear the losses. The contribution act remedied this situation by permitting the shifting of losses equitably among those tortfeasors who caused the damages. Nat'l Farmers Union Prop. & Cas. Co. v. Frackelton, 662 P.2d 1056 (Colo. 1983).
Employer covered under workmen's compensation not liable for contribution. Because the workmen's compensation act immunizes an employer from tort liability to a covered employee, the employer is not "jointly liable in tort" and therefore contribution is barred. Hammond v. Kolberg Mfg. Corp., 542 F. Supp. 662 (D. Colo. 1982).
Emphasis on intent to define scope of general releases effectuates the purpose of this article in that it retains the liability of joint tortfeasors unless the releaser intended to release all claims. Neves v. Potter, 769 P.2d 1047 (Colo. 1989).
Applied in Martinez v. Stefanich, 195 Colo. 341, 577 P.2d 1099 (1978); Hillman v. Bray Lines, 41 Colo. App. 493, 591 P.2d 1332 (1978); Sager v. City of Woodland Park, 543 F. Supp. 282 (D. Colo. 1982).
Frequently Asked Questions About Colorado § 13-50.5-101
What does Colorado Revised Statutes § 13-50.5-101 cover?
Section 13-50.5-101 ("Short title.") is part of the Colorado Revised Statutes, the codified statutory law of Colorado. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Colorado § 13-50.5-101?
A common citation format is "Colorado Revised Statutes § 13-50.5-101" (Colorado). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Colorado law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Colorado official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Colorado attorney.
How does Colorado § 13-50.5-101 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Colorado can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Colorado.