Colorado Approves Higher Damages for Wildfire Victims

One year after a state-set fire in Colorado killed three people, the state Legislature has given final approval to a bill raising limits for recovering damages incurred on account of government wrongdoing.

The bill raises the damage cap for people suing state government. The bill is a response to last March’s Lower North Fork Fire in Jefferson County but would only apply to damages occurring after June 30, 2013. The foothills blaze was caused by a prescribed burn coordinated by state officials to reduce risks of a catastrophic wildfire.

That fire broke out on March 26, 2012. Supporters of the liability bill pointed out that Lower North Fork victims have yet to receive compensation from the state.

The liability bill awaits the governor’s signature.