Claims Questions

Learn about filing Claims Against the City. Colorado law requires you to file a written notice of claim with the Boulder City Attorney's Office before you can file a lawsuit against the City of Boulder.

City of Boulder Division of Risk Management

Phone: 720-471-6310

riskmanagement@bouldercolorado.gov

PO Box 791

Boulder, Co 80306

Colorado state statute allows 182 days from the date of loss.

While you are welcome to hire a private attorney and the city will be glad to work with your representative, a private attorney is not necessary to file a claim.

If you have made a claim with your insurance company for repair of damaged property, your insurance company will evaluate the possibility of reimbursement from the city. If the insurance company is successful, they may either refund your deductible directly to you or the city may send you the refund.

How to File a Claim

If you believe that the City of Boulder (or any of its employees) has injured you or damaged your property, Colorado law requires you to file a written Notice of Claim before you can file a lawsuit against the city. CorVel manages claims against the City of Boulder.

This page provides information on the filing process.

The City Attorney’s Office represents the city and cannot give you legal advice of any kind. You may complete and file your claim yourself. However, the legal process can be complex, so you may want to hire private legal counsel to represent you.

YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SUE THE CITY UNLESS YOUR CLAIM IS FILED WITHIN 182 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THE INCIDENT IN WHICH YOU CLAIM TO HAVE BEEN INJURED OR DAMAGED.

A notice of claim must contain the following information:

  1. The name and address of the person making the claim, and the name and address of that person’s attorney, if any. A contact phone number and email address should be included.
  2. A concise statement of the factual basis of the claim, including the DATE, TIME, PLACE, and CIRCUMSTANCES of the act, omission, or event which is the basis of the claim.
  3. The name and address of any public employee involved, if known. (Please indicate if you believe the employee was personally responsible for the damage or merely knows about the circumstances.)
  4. A concise statement of the nature and extent of damages claimed to have been suffered.
  5. A statement of the amount of monetary damages being requested. Copies of bills establishing costs incurred, or at least two estimates relating to such damages, make it much easier to favorably evaluate a claim.

If you file a notice of claim, the Division of Risk Management at the City will initiate an investigation. If that investigation shows that the City is at fault for your damages, and the City is not protected by governmental immunity, you may be offered reimbursement.

Even where reimbursement is offered, the City pays only for physical damage. Intangible losses such as personal inconvenience or missed work opportunities are not reimbursed. In property damage situations, calculation of loss is based upon the fair market value of damaged items, discounted for depreciation. The City does not pay full replacement value for damaged property.

You may want to contact your own insurance company about coverage. If your insurance company believes that the City is liable, it will settle the claim with you and then seek reimbursement from the City. If it is later determined that the City is responsible for the damage, the City will reimburse your insurance company for any money it advanced. It is the responsibility of your insurance company to reimburse you any deductible you paid.

You may submit your claim by email or mail.

City of Boulder

Attn: Risk Management

1136 Alpine Ave

Boulder, CO 80304

Email: RiskManagement@bouldercolorado.gov