Colorado law restricts who can bring this claim, and it changes depending on how much time has passed since the death. In the first year, only a surviving spouse can file. In the second year, a surviving spouse or the deceased’s children can file. If there’s no spouse or children, the deceased’s parents can bring the claim, and if there’s no spouse, children, or parents, a sibling of the deceased can bring the claim under HB24-1472, effective January 1, 2025.
Who’s left out
Extended family and close friends still can’t bring a wrongful death claim in Colorado, no matter how close the relationship was — and siblings only have standing as a last resort, when there’s no surviving spouse, child, or parent to file. This surprises a lot of families, and it’s worth knowing early rather than discovering it after reaching out for help.
What to do next
If this is where you are right now, call Mile High Legal at (720) 853-5779 for a free consultation. We handle Colorado car accident and injury claims on contingency, meaning you pay nothing upfront and nothing at all unless we recover money for you.
