Colorado § 8-10-101 - Wages a preferred claim.
Full text of Colorado Colorado Revised Statutes § 8-10-101 — Wages a preferred claim., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 8-10-101. Wages a preferred claim.
When the business of any person, corporation, company, or firm is suspended by the action of creditors or put into the hands of a receiver or trustee, the debts owing to laborers, servants, or employees, which have occurred by reason of their labor or employment shall be considered and treated as preferred claims. Such laborers or employees shall be preferred creditors and shall first be paid in full. If there are not sufficient funds to pay them in full, they shall be paid from the proceeds of the sale of the property seized. Any person interested may contest any such claim, or part thereof, by filing exceptions thereto, supported by affidavit, with the officer having the custody of such property, and thereupon the claimant shall be required to reduce his claim to judgment before a court having jurisdiction thereof before any part thereof is paid.
Source: L. 03: p. 143, § 1. R.S. 08: § 6998. C.L. § 4243. CSA: C. 97, § 217. CRS 53: § 80-12-1. C.R.S. 1963: § 80-16-1.
ANNOTATION
Section should be liberally construed. This section intended to secure wage earners against loss of their earnings from insolvency of employers, is based upon a sound public policy and should be liberally construed in order to accomplish the purpose of its enactment. Central Sav. Bank v. Newton, 59 Colo. 150, 147 P. 690 (1915).
But this section cannot be invoked for the purpose of supporting a decision not based upon the letter or spirit of its enactment, for the general assembly has not created a lien, but has made debts due for labor preferred claims against the property of the debtor, made claimants for wages preferred creditors, and provided that they shall be first paid, which is quite a different thing from the creation of a statutory lien. Central Sav. Bank v. Newton, 59 Colo. 150, 147 P. 690 (1915).
This section contains no provisions as to the time in which exceptions to claims must be filed. Central Sav. Bank v. Newton, 59 Colo. 150, 147 P. 690 (1915).
For an early enactment on the subject of this section, see Ray v. Hiller, 11 Colo. 445, 18 P. 622 (1888).
Source: official Colorado text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Colorado § 8-10-101
What does Colorado Revised Statutes § 8-10-101 cover?
Section 8-10-101 ("Wages a preferred claim.") 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 § 8-10-101?
A common citation format is "Colorado Revised Statutes § 8-10-101" (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 § 8-10-101 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.