Colorado Consumer Protection Act Expansion Passes Senate
SB 20-080 gives Coloradans fair opportunity to seek relief
Denver, CO – Today the Senate advanced legislation to increase protections for Colorado consumers with the passage of SB-080. This bill amends the Consumer Protection Act to add more potential damages that can be awarded to consumers.
“These updates to the Colorado Consumer Protection Act protect consumers and ensure that they get their fair shake," said Sen. Robert Rodriguez (D-Denver). "This bill empowers Coloradans to stand up to deceptive trade practices and establishes their right to equitable compensation.”
These practices can range from false representation of things like food services and goods to misleading representations of large purchases, such as water damaged vehicles or real estate. SB-080 expands protections for those who have been wronged by deceptive trade practices to more accurately and fully compensate the degree to which they have been wronged.
The previous law allowed for plaintiffs to be awarded the greater of the actual damages, or $500 total. This bill amends the possible award to the actual damages or $500 per violation. This bill also adds that a class action suit can be brought, and damages can be awarded both to compensate for damages incurred and for attorneys' fees as determined by the court.
The bill now heads to the House. Read more here.