Colorado Prompt Payment Guide & FAQs

Colorado does not address prompt payment for private projects in it’s statutes.

(1) The general assembly hereby declares that retentions in and delays in the completion of construction contracts with public entities are a matter of statewide concern and are affected with the public interest and that the provisions of this article are enacted in the exercise of the police power of this state for the purpose of protecting the health, peace, safety, and welfare of the people of this state.

(2) The general assembly hereby further finds and declares that the construction industry is a significant component of the state’s economy; that there is a substantial statewide interest in fostering the growth and stability of the construction industry and ensuring that it remains economically viable; that the ability of construction and design enterprises to obtain and satisfactorily perform projects at all levels of government affects the construction industry as a whole; that clauses in public construction contracts which provide that public entities shall not be required to compensate contractors for delays in the completion of the work caused by the public entity are adhesive in nature and, if enforced, can have ruinous financial consequences on affected contractors due to risks over which the contractor may have no control; that public construction projects are subject to public appropriation laws which may be in direct conflict with commonly used construction contract clauses such as clauses which authorize additional payment to the contractor based on changed conditions; and that there is a substantial statewide interest in ensuring that the policy underlying the efficient expenditure of public moneys is balanced with the policy of fostering a healthy and viable construction industry.

As used in this article, unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) “Acceptable securities” means:

(a) United States bonds, United States treasury notes, or United States treasury bills;

(b) General obligation or revenue bonds of this state;

(c) General obligation or revenue bonds of any political subdivision of this state;

(d) Certificates of deposit from a state or national bank or a savings and loan association insured by the federal deposit insurance corporation or its successor and having its principal office in this state.

(1.5) “Construction” includes the terms capital construction, capital renewal, and controlled maintenance as defined in section 24-30-1301.

(2) “Contractor” means any person, company, firm, or corporation which is a party to a contract with a public entity to construct, erect, alter, install, or repair any highway, public building, public work, or public improvement, structure, or system.

(3) “Public entity” means this state or a county, city, city and county, town, or district, including any political subdivision thereof.

(4) “Subcontractor” means and includes any person, company, firm, or corporation which is a party to a contract with a contractor to construct, erect, alter, install, or repair any highway, public building, public work, or public improvement, structure, or system and which, in connection therewith, furnishes and performs on-site labor with or without furnishing materials.

(5) “Substantial completion” means the date when the construction is sufficiently complete, in accordance with the contract documents, as modified by any change orders agreed to by the parties, so that the work or designated portion thereof is available for use by the owner.

(1)

(a) A public entity awarding a contract exceeding one hundred fifty thousand dollars for the construction, alteration, or repair of any highway, public building, public work, or public improvement, structure, or system, including real property as defined in section 24-30-1301(15), shall authorize partial payments of the amount due under such contract at the end of each calendar month, or as soon thereafter as practicable, to the contractor, if the contractor is satisfactorily performing the contract. The public entity shall pay at least ninety-five percent of the calculated value of completed work. The withheld percentage of the contract price of any contracted work, improvement, or construction may be retained until the contract is completed satisfactorily and finally accepted by the public entity.

(b) The public entity shall make a final settlement in accordance with section 38-26-107, C.R.S., within sixty days after the contract is completed satisfactorily and finally accepted by the public entity.

(c) If the public entity finds that satisfactory progress is being made in any phase of the contract, it may, upon written request by the contractor, authorize final payment from the withheld percentage to the contractor or subcontractors who have completed their work in a manner finally acceptable to the public entity. Before the payment is made, the public entity shall determine that satisfactory and substantial reasons exist for the payment and shall require written approval from any surety furnishing bonds for the contract work.

(2) Whenever a contractor receives payment pursuant to this section, the contractor shall make payments to each of his subcontractors of any amounts actually received which were included in the contractor’s request for payment to the public entity for such subcontracts. The contractor shall make such payments within seven calendar days of receipt of payment from the public entity in the same manner as the public entity is required to pay the contractor under this section if the subcontractor is satisfactorily performing under his contract with the contractor. The subcontractor shall pay all suppliers, sub-subcontractors, laborers, and any other persons who provide goods, materials, labor, or equipment to the subcontractor any amounts actually received which were included in the subcontractor’s request for payment to the contractor for such persons, in the same manner set forth in this subsection (2) regarding payments by the contractor to the subcontractor. If the subcontractor fails to make such payments in the required manner, the subcontractor shall pay said suppliers, sub-subcontractors, and laborers interest in the same manner set forth in this subsection (2) regarding payments by the contractor to the subcontractor. At the time the subcontractor submits a request for payment to the contractor, the subcontractor shall also submit to the contractor a list of the subcontractor’s suppliers, sub-subcontractors, and laborers. The contractor shall be relieved of the requirements of this subsection (2) regarding payment in seven days and interest payment until the subcontractor submits such list. If the contractor fails to make timely payments to the subcontractor as required by this section, the contractor shall pay the subcontractor interest as specified by contract or at the rate of fifteen percent per annum whichever is higher, on the amount of the payment which was not made in a timely manner. The interest shall accrue for the period from the required payment date to the date on which payment is made. Nothing in this subsection (2) shall be construed to affect the retention provisions of any contract.

(3) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2011, (HB 11-1115), ch. 211, p. 912, §2, effective August 10, 2011.)