Colorado § 16-3-203 - Preventing a crime - reimbursement.
Full text of Colorado Colorado Revised Statutes § 16-3-203 — Preventing a crime - reimbursement., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 16-3-203. Preventing a crime - reimbursement.
Any person who is not a peace officer as defined in section 24-31-301 (5), C.R.S., who is made the defendant in any civil action as a result of having sought to prevent a crime being committed against any other person, and who has judgment entered in his favor shall be entitled to all his court costs and to reasonable attorney fees incurred in such action.
Source: L. 77: Entire section added, p. 852, § 1, effective June 19. L. 83: Entire section amended, p. 962, § 6, effective July 1, 1984. L. 92: Entire section amended, p. 1097, § 5, effective March 6.
Cross references: (1) For awarding of attorney fees in civil actions generally, see § 13-17-102.
(2) For the legislative declaration contained in the 1992 act amending this section, see section 12 of chapter 167, Session Laws of Colorado 1992.
ANNOTATION
This section shifts payment of the defendant's court costs and reasonable attorney fees to the plaintiff when the defendant prevails and the court finds that the defendant acted in good faith to prevent what he or she thought was a current or future crime. Schwankl v. Davis, 85 P.3d 512 (Colo. 2004).
PART 3
SEARCHES AND SEIZURES
Source: official Colorado text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Colorado § 16-3-203
What does Colorado Revised Statutes § 16-3-203 cover?
Section 16-3-203 ("Preventing a crime - reimbursement.") 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 § 16-3-203?
A common citation format is "Colorado Revised Statutes § 16-3-203" (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 § 16-3-203 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.