Colorado Prejudgment Interest Rate
United States Colorado’s prejudgment interest rate — when a court awards it.
Set by statute Fixed by statute
Colorado prejudgment interest is 8% per year, compounded annually under C.R.S. 5-12-102. Prejudgment interest is NOT limited to liquidated/ascertainable sums.
When Colorado prejudgment interest applies
Prejudgment interest is NOT limited to liquidated/ascertainable sums. Under 5-12-102, the claimant is entitled to interest on all moneys or property "wrongfully withheld," and Colorado courts (e.g., Mesa Sand & Gravel v. Landfill) have held this covers UNLIQUIDATED claims and general contract/property damages — the amount need not be certain or ascertainable. So it is available on unliquidated claims, unlike most states.
When it starts accruing
General (5-12-102): from the date the money/property was wrongfully withheld or the date it became due, running to date of payment or date judgment is entered, whichever occurs first. Personal injury (13-21-101): plaintiff may claim interest from the date the action accrued (for actions filed on/after 7/1/1979), or…
Simple or compound
Compound — compounded annually under both 5-12-102 (8%) and 13-21-101 (9%, compounded annually for actions filed on/after 7/1/1979).
→ Compare with the Colorado post-judgment interest rate (interest after judgment)
Prejudgment interest under C.R.S. 5-12-102 — 8%, compounded annually. This is PREjudgment interest (accruing before entry of judgment) and is separate from Colorado’s post-judgment rate; availability is limited by claim type (see the page). Verify against the statute text. Not legal advice.
Effective-date history
| Effective date | Rate | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| July 9, 2026 | 8% | Statute |
Source & provenance
Latest value retrieved July 10, 2026 (02:55 UTC) from the official source:
https://colorado.public.law/statutes/crs_5-12-102