Colorado § 4-3-503 - Notice of dishonor.
Full text of Colorado Colorado Revised Statutes § 4-3-503 — Notice of dishonor., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 4-3-503. Notice of dishonor.
(a) The obligation of an indorser stated in section 4-3-415 (a) and the obligation of a drawer stated in section 4-3-414 (d) may not be enforced unless (i) the indorser or drawer is given notice of dishonor of the instrument complying with this section or (ii) notice of dishonor is excused under section 4-3-504 (b).
(b) Notice of dishonor may be given by any person; may be given by any commercially reasonable means, including an oral, written, or electronic communication; and is sufficient if it reasonably identifies the instrument and indicates that the instrument has been dishonored or has not been paid or accepted. Return of an instrument given to a bank for collection is sufficient notice of dishonor.
(c) Subject to section 4-3-504 (c), with respect to an instrument taken for collection by a collecting bank, notice of dishonor must be given (i) by the bank before midnight of the next banking day following the banking day on which the bank receives notice of dishonor of the instrument, or (ii) by any other person within thirty days following the day on which the person receives notice of dishonor. With respect to any other instrument, notice of dishonor must be given within thirty days following the day on which dishonor occurs.
Source: L. 94: Entire article R&RE, p. 875, § 1, effective January 1, 1995.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former §§ 4-3-501, 4-3-508, and 4-3-510 as they existed prior to 1994.
ANNOTATION
Annotator's note. The following annotations include cases decided under former provisions similar to this section.
Oral notice is sufficient. De La Vergne v. Globe Printing Co., 27 Colo. App. 308, 148 P. 923 (1915).
Such notice within two days held in due time where parties resided in different places. De La Vergne v. Globe Printing Co., 27 Colo. App. 308, 148 P. 923 (1915).
Notice of dishonor made on the day of dishonor and addressed to the indorser at a place which the indorser named as his residence at the time of the execution of the note is sufficient, since the payee is entitled to rely on such statement. Archuleta v. Johnston, 53 Colo. 393, 127 P. 134 (1912).
Delay in giving notice of dishonor to an antecedent party while investigating an apparent erasure of the party's name on the paper is not excused. Emerson & Buckingham Bank & Trust Co. v. German-American Trust Co., 65 Colo. 398, 176 P. 472 (1918).
Source: official Colorado text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Colorado § 4-3-503
What does Colorado Revised Statutes § 4-3-503 cover?
Section 4-3-503 ("Notice of dishonor.") 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 § 4-3-503?
A common citation format is "Colorado Revised Statutes § 4-3-503" (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 § 4-3-503 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.