Colorado § 20-1-303 - District attorneys allowed necessary expenses.
Full text of Colorado Colorado Revised Statutes § 20-1-303 — District attorneys allowed necessary expenses., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 20-1-303. District attorneys allowed necessary expenses.
Except as otherwise specifically provided, the district attorney of each judicial district in the state of Colorado, and each of his assistants and deputies, shall be allowed to collect and receive from each of the counties in his district the expenses necessarily incurred in the discharge of his official duties for the benefit of such county.
Source: L. 07: p. 371, § 1. R.S. 08: § 2107. C.L. § 5992. CSA: C. 55, § 20. CRS 53: § 45-2-5. C.R.S. 1963: § 45-2-5.
ANNOTATION
This section relates generally to expenses necessarily incurred by the district attorney, his assistant, and deputies, in the discharge of official duties. Trowbridge v. Bd. of Comm'rs, 57 Colo. 106, 140 P. 195 (1914).
Expenses arising from a lawsuit based on conduct of the district attorney within performance of his duties and scope of his employment are contemplated by this section. Colo. Counties Cas. & Prop. Pool v. Bd. of County Comm'rs, 51 P.3d 1100 (Colo. App. 2002).
Attorney fees and costs incurred by a district attorney defending against professional misconduct charges, when the ethical violations were committed recklessly or knowingly, are not "expenses necessarily incurred in the discharge of his official duties for the benefit of such county". Ruybalid v. Bd. of County Comm'rs Las Animas County, 2019 CO 49, 442 P.3d 423.
Judicial notice is taken that the aid of a stenographer is indispensable to the efficient discharge of duties like those of the district attorney. Bd. of Comm'rs v. Walker, 66 Colo. 312, 181 P. 195 (1919).
Expert witnesses may recover for their services. Expert witnesses whose services are procured by the district attorney and utilized in the prosecution of a criminal case were held entitled to recover the reasonable value thereof from the county under the provisions of this section. Crane v. Bd. of County Comm'rs, 80 Colo. 230, 250 P. 388 (1926).
Applied in Beacom v. Bd. of County Comm'rs, 657 P.2d 440 (Colo. 1983).
Source: official Colorado text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Colorado § 20-1-303
What does Colorado Revised Statutes § 20-1-303 cover?
Section 20-1-303 ("District attorneys allowed necessary expenses.") 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 § 20-1-303?
A common citation format is "Colorado Revised Statutes § 20-1-303" (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 § 20-1-303 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.