Bad Check Laws In Colorado

by


Below are the civil and criminal penalties for writing a bad check in Colorado as covered under 13-21-109 – Recovery of Damages for checks, drafts, or orders not paid upon presentment.

The following criminal and civil penalties may apply if a notice of nonpayment on presentment of the check was given and the check maker does not make good on the amount owed plus NSF fees and the greater of $20 or 20% of the check amount as collection costs to the payee within fifteen days after such notice is given:

Civil Penalties: Triple the amount of such check and in no case less than $100, plus court cost, collection costs and reasonable attorney fees.

Criminal Penalties: Misdemeanor - imprisonment in county jail for not less than three months nor more than 12 months or by fine of not less than $250 nor more than $1,000 or both.

Felony - imprisonment in state penitentiary for not less than one year nor more than 5 years or by fine of not less than $1,000 nor more than $15,000 or both. If twice previously convicted, punishment is imprisonment in state penitentiary for not less than one year and not more than 10 years or fine of not less than $2,000 nor more than $30,000 or both.

Please note that the bad check law may not apply if your check bounced because your paycheck did not clear or your bank made an error. In addition, if you stop payment on a check because goods you bought are defective, the bad check law is inapplicable.



For more information on bad check laws and for criminal and civil penalties in other states for writing bad checks, please read Bad Check Laws

Check with your state statutes for the most current information on Colorado bad check laws. Further information can also be found at the Colorado Attorney General Website at ( http://www.coloradoattorneygeneral.gov ).

You may want to also read Getting A Checking Account While On The Chex System

Learn how to Prevent Overdraft And Bounced Check Fees

Although all information has been written in good faith and has been reviewed, please email us at [email protected] to report any inaccuracies.