Colorado Springs Construction Lawyers — Construction Disputes and Contract Enforcement in El Paso County
Colorado Springs is one of the fastest-growing cities in Colorado, and that growth drives a construction market that generates a significant and consistent volume of legal disputes. Defects discovered after completion, payment conflicts between owners and contractors, delay claims that grow with every week a project falls behind, and lien enforcement actions all require attorneys who understand construction contracts, Colorado’s construction statutes, and how to build technically complex cases with the expert support they require. Burnham Law’s Colorado Springs construction attorneys represent owners, general contractors, subcontractors, and design professionals across the full range of construction disputes in El Paso County and throughout Colorado.
Meet our Colorado Springs civil litigation team below — attorneys experienced in construction defect claims, payment disputes, mechanic’s lien enforcement, and construction contract litigation throughout El Paso County.
Andrew is a seasoned attorney with over a decade of experience in navigating complex legal challenges. He has successfully represented clients in a wide variety of cases, including consumer protection matters, breach of warranty claims against major automotive manufacturers, mass tort litigation, and disputes with oil and gas companies. Andrew's approach is to combine meticulous preparation with practical problem-solving, a strategy that has consistently led to favorable outcomes for his clients. Throughout his career, Andrew has resolved hundreds of cases in state and federal courts, as well as in binding arbitration. His dedicated work has resulted in millions of dollars in recoveries for his clients. He is committed to achieving the best possible results, drawing on his extensive experience to provide comprehensive and effective legal counsel.
Brandon has partnered with business owners across every stage of the business lifecycle. His experience spans pre-litigation, third-party disputes, shareholder derivative actions, and business formation, as well as day-to-day advisory services. He is also a seasoned guide in complex transactions, including sales, mergers, and acquisitions. Throughout his career, Brandon has counseled clients through transactions ranging from several hundred thousand to mid-eight figures. Regardless of the deal’s scale, his objective remains steadfast: to provide a positive, measurable impact on his clients and their long-term business health. Brandon assists clients through all phases of litigation, from initial dispute resolution to mediation and arbitration. His background in transactional law provides him with a unique edge; having drafted the very contracts that often become the subject of legal disputes, he utilizes that intimate knowledge to navigate litigation effectively and help clients avoid future risks. When he is away from his practice, Brandon stays active by golfing and going to the gym. A self-proclaimed bourbon...
Brian Teed is a civil litigation attorney. He specializes in complex motions practice and appeals. Brian earned his Juris Doctor from Arizona State University, where he distinguished himself by interning for federal district judges and working for the United States Department of Justice in Washington, DC. He also served on the executive board of the Arizona State Law Journal and published two articles on constitutional issues. After graduating, Brian clerked on the Arizona Court of Appeals and the United States District Court for the District of Arizona. At Burnham, he has served clients with litigation and transactional needs, whether negotiating, litigating, or advising on the best path forward. Some of his successes include the defense of two six-figure judgments on appeal. From this broad experience, Brian is uniquely positioned to help clients navigate the complexities and stress of civil litigation, including appeals.
Bryon has more than a decade of experience in probate, trust administration, and estate planning. His probate experience includes contesting fraudulent wills and litigating terms of estate plan documents. In preparing estate plans, Bryon emphasizes helping clients pass on as much of their estates to their loved ones as possible through careful and regular review by clients. Bryon also has experience in representing landlords in evictions, contracts, commercial sales transactions, public bidding, and special taxing districts. When not serving clients, Bryon enjoys camping, off-roading, and traveling with his family.
Before law school, Chris was a Television Broadcast News Reporter for NBC KOMU TV-8 and a Radio Broadcast News Reporter for NPR KBIA 91.3. During law school, Chris clerked for the General Counsel of a Major International Airline, he clerked for the Chief Judge of the Missouri Court of Appeals-Southern District, he clerked for a small civil litigation and real estate law firm in Columbia, and he was a summer intern at McDowell Rice Smith & Buchanan, P.C. in Kansas City. After law school, Chris became an Associate Attorney at McDowell Rice Smith & Buchanan, P.C.’s Country Club Plaza office eventually earning an Equity Shareholder Position. Since moving to Colorado in 2011, Chris has been a Business Operations Manager at a Denver-based multi-million dollar company, he has been a Contract Attorney for a medical device publicly-traded company, he has been a Staff Attorney at a boutique law firm providing bankruptcy legal services to consumers, and he has been the Bankruptcy...
Prior to joining Burnham, Cody began his career at a general practice law firm focusing primarily on commercial litigation, real estate litigation, real estate transactions, trusts and estates, probate, and oil and gas. Since then, he has honed his skills as an advocate with a focus on assisting his clients in navigating all stages of litigation and arbitration. Specifically, Cody has done multiple trials, arbitrations, mediations, and depositions, obtaining efficient and favorable results for his clients. As a result of this experience, Cody is keenly aware of the litigation process, and the strategic nuances that lead to success before and during trial. Cody is also an experienced corporate attorney who assists clients in business/shareholder disputes, transactions, and corporate structuring in a wide variety of industries, including construction, real estate acquisition and development, lifestyle brands, and many more. In his off time, Cody enjoys hiking, skiing, trying some of Denver’s best places to eat, and spending time with his Labrador Ollie.
David is a highly experienced litigator and trial attorney focusing on commercial disputes, litigation, and arbitrations. He has been representing individuals and businesses for over three decades and is a relentless advocate and seasoned trial attorney. David has honed his skills practicing with both international firms (Shook, Hardy & Bacon, Dorsey & Whitney, and Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani), and respected local firms. He possesses extensive first-chair experience in civil trials, arbitrations, and appeals, offering clients dedicated and intense focus in a wide range of complex commercial matters. David grew up in Loveland, Colorado and attended the University of Denver's Daniels College of Business on a Boettcher Foundation Scholarship, earning a degree in Finance/Real Estate. He later received his J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School, where he was a member of the prestigious Minnesota Law Review and a director of the International Moot Court. David started his legal career in Kansas City focusing on pharmaceutical products liability litigation, before...
Erin has extensive experience representing clients in all phases of litigation in both state and federal courts, with a focus on employment litigation, business and commercial disputes, and appellate matters. She also has significant experience in estate planning and probate, advising individuals and families on preserving their legacies and guiding them through the probate process with clarity and compassion. In addition to her private practice work, Erin served as a law clerk to the Honorable Judge Jerry N. Jones of the Colorado Court of Appeals. She also previously clerked for the South Dakota Second Judicial Circuit, gaining valuable insight into the judicial process.
Kate strives to have a client-oriented practice where she can assist her clients in all stages of litigation. Prior to joining Burnham, Kate was an associate at an AmLaw Firm where she worked on various types of complex litigation representing large corporations, municipalities, and individuals. Before going into private practice, Kate was an Assistant Public Defender in Miami-Dade County where she tried over twenty cases. Kate has been able to develop a well-rounded practice by working in both the private and public sectors. Kate has honed her skill sets from her prior experience so she can be a zealous advocate for her clients. In her spare time, Kate enjoys spending time with her husband in the outdoors, traveling, and visiting family.
Katlyn Schafer is passionate about helping her clients navigate their legal challenges by providing clear guidance, practical solutions, and strong advocacy at every stage of the process. Her practice spans a wide range of civil matters including personal disputes, consumer protection disputes, regulatory and administrative disputes, environmental disputes, and many others. Prior to joining Burnham Law, Katlyn worked as an Associate Attorney providing representation in worker's compensation disputes. During law school, Katlyn served on the editorial board for the Vermont Journal of Environmental Law. She interned with the Idaho Office of the Attorney General and gained experience working as a student-attorney to provide pro bono legal representation to various nonprofits in the New England area. In her free time, Katlyn can be found frequenting thrift stores, exploring the Colorado wilderness, and watching scary movies with her partner James and their pets, Gracie and Koda
Kayla is known for her effective legal strategies and creative solutions in resolving a wide range of disputes, including contractual issues, landlord/tenant matters, boundary disputes, and HOA conflicts. Kayla believes in understanding her clients' unique goals to secure the most beneficial results for them. Beyond her practice, Kayla is highly engaged in the legal community through volunteer board positions aimed at encouraging growth and supporting diverse voices. Her professional excellence has been consistently recognized, including being named a Top Attorney by Colorado Springs Magazine multiple times and a Super Lawyer Rising Star in 2024 and 2025. In her free time, Kayla enjoys reading, spending time with her daughter, and exploring the outdoors. She is an accomplished runner, having completed challenging races like numerous half marathons and the Pikes Peak Ascent.
Logan completed his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University at Albany, and recently earned his J.D. from William and Mary Law School. Before entering law school, Logan spent time working in the in-house legal department of a 3rd party commercial lending company. In this role he assisted with business development projects with clients ranging from local coffee shops to large commercial developers in New York City. Prior to joining Burnham, Logan began his legal career at a local Denver law firm primarily practicing civil litigation defense. Since joining Burnham, Logan has represented a diverse range of clientele ranging from individuals engaged in civil disputes to general commercial litigation. Logan has successfully negotiated various settlements in his clients’ favor, both prior to and after commencement of litigation, in case types such as breach of contract, property damage, negligence, partition, fraud, landlord/tenant disputes, and bad faith insurance denial. In his free time, you can find Logan on one of the...
Sam focuses his practice on general litigation, transactional work—aiding small businesses and assisting in acquisitions—business litigation and breakups, and administrative work. Prior to joining the Burnham Law Firm, Sam acted as counsel at a major ski company and then in a firm setting. Sam is keenly aware of the fact that litigation can be stressful and complex. His background complements his ability to provide competent guidance and critical thinking to his clients’ cases and the corollary issues which stem from them. In his free time, Sam loves to backcountry ski, race road and mountain bikes, cook, read, play guitar, and sail.
Zac focuses mainly on civil litigation, and has experience with real estate litigation, real estate transactions and estate matters. He earned his bachelor’s degree and law degree at the University of Tennessee. In law school, he was a member of the Transactions: The Tennessee Journal of Business Law and a student-attorney in the Business Clinic. In his spare time, Zac enjoys spending time with his wife and dog outdoors hiking, going to various restaurants, and being with friends. Zac is a die-hard Minnesota sports fan and Tennessee Volunteer fan.
Construction Law in Colorado Springs, Colorado
El Paso County’s construction activity is substantial and diverse — large-scale residential subdivisions serving the region’s growing population, commercial development along major corridors, military construction on and around Fort Carson and the Air Force Academy, infrastructure projects throughout the county, and significant renovation activity in both established and new communities. This volume of construction creates a steady stream of disputes at every stage of the project lifecycle.
Colorado has enacted specific statutes that govern how construction disputes are initiated and resolved. The Construction Defect Action Reform Act (CDARA) establishes mandatory pre-litigation procedures for construction defect claims — notice requirements, inspection rights, and an opportunity to cure before a lawsuit can be filed. The Colorado Mechanics’ Lien Act gives contractors, subcontractors, and material suppliers the right to file a lien against the improved property as security for unpaid claims. Both statutes have strict procedural requirements and hard deadlines that cannot be missed without serious consequences.
Colorado Springs’ construction disputes sometimes involve an additional layer not present in purely private markets — government construction on military installations and other federal properties, which is governed by federal procurement law and has different contract structures, claim procedures, and dispute resolution frameworks than private construction. Our construction attorneys understand both the state and federal construction law frameworks that apply in this market.
What Our Colorado Springs Construction Attorneys Handle
Construction defect claims: When construction is performed below the applicable standard — through workmanship failures, design errors, material defects, or code violations — the resulting damage can be extensive and the remediation expensive. We represent owners pursuing defect claims and contractors defending them, following CDARA’s required procedures correctly from the outset.
Mechanic’s liens and payment disputes: Contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers who have completed their work and not been paid have powerful statutory lien rights under Colorado law. We handle lien filings and enforcement for unpaid claimants and represent property owners and general contractors contesting improper lien claims in El Paso County.
Construction contract disputes: Disputes over contract scope, change orders, substantial completion determinations, liquidated damages clauses, and warranty obligations arise on construction projects of every size. We represent all parties in construction contract disputes throughout El Paso County, bringing both contract expertise and construction industry knowledge to each matter.
Delay and disruption claims: When project delays are caused by one party’s conduct — owner-caused design changes, a general contractor’s scheduling failures, or a subcontractor’s performance issues — the resulting delay claims require detailed documentation and often expert schedule analysis. We handle delay claims for both claimants and respondents.
Design professional liability: Architects and engineers whose deficient drawings or specifications cause construction failures or project costs may face civil liability. We represent property owners pursuing design professional claims and architects and engineers defending against negligence allegations in El Paso County.
Military and government construction: Construction disputes on Fort Carson, the Air Force Academy, Peterson Space Force Base, and other government properties involve federal contract claims procedures and different dispute resolution frameworks. We represent contractors and subcontractors in government construction disputes throughout the Colorado Springs area.
How Colorado Springs Construction Cases Work
Construction defect cases under CDARA begin before any lawsuit is filed. The claimant must serve a detailed written notice of claim on the responsible contractor, describing the alleged defects. The contractor then has the right to inspect the alleged defects and submit a written response — either an offer to remedy, a denial, or a request for additional information. If the claimant rejects the offer or none is made, litigation can proceed. Compliance with CDARA’s timelines and requirements is mandatory and must be precise.
Construction litigation is expert-intensive. Establishing whether construction met the required standard requires experienced contractors, engineers, or construction managers who can evaluate the work against contract specifications and industry practice. Damages experts calculate remediation costs or the financial impact of project delays. Building an effective expert foundation early in the case — before depositions are taken and positions harden — is critical to successful construction litigation in El Paso County.
Many construction disputes are resolved through mediation — which construction contracts frequently require before litigation can proceed. Construction cases that don’t resolve at mediation typically proceed to bench trial before an El Paso County District Court judge, who evaluates the technical issues with the support of expert testimony. Full trial preparation creates the leverage that produces favorable pre-trial settlements in cases that ultimately settle.
Why Burnham Law for Construction Disputes in Colorado Springs
Construction industry knowledge. Effective construction law representation requires attorneys who understand how projects are designed, bid, contracted, and built — not just the legal rules that apply. We bring genuine construction industry knowledge to every dispute we handle, which makes our arguments more credible and our strategy more effective.
CDARA precision. Construction defect cases in Colorado live or die by proper compliance with CDARA’s notice and response process. We ensure strict compliance from day one and use those procedures strategically to build the strongest position for our clients.
Military construction experience. Government and military construction disputes have a federal overlay that most construction litigators in Colorado don’t regularly handle. Our experience with these disputes is a meaningful differentiator for Colorado Springs contractors and subcontractors who work on military projects.
Lien deadline management. Colorado’s mechanic’s lien statute is powerful but unforgiving — missing its deadlines can forfeit lien rights on claims for work that was unquestionably performed and not paid. We handle lien filings and enforcement with the precision these hard deadlines require.
Frequently Asked Questions — Colorado Springs Construction Lawyers
What is CDARA and how does it affect my construction defect claim in Colorado Springs?
CDARA is the Construction Defect Action Reform Act — a Colorado statute that establishes mandatory pre-litigation procedures for construction defect claims. Before filing a lawsuit, the claimant must serve a detailed notice of claim on the contractor, allow for inspection of the alleged defects, and give the contractor an opportunity to make a remediation offer. These steps are mandatory and must be followed precisely. The statute also affects what damages are available and the legal standards that apply at trial. Working with a construction attorney from the start of a defect claim ensures CDARA compliance is handled correctly.
How long do I have to bring a construction defect claim in Colorado?
Colorado’s statute of limitations for construction defect claims is two years from the date the defect was discovered or reasonably should have been discovered. Colorado also has an eight-year statute of repose running from substantial completion of construction — claims are barred after eight years regardless of when the defect was discovered. CDARA’s notice procedures must be initiated before the limitations period expires, which means acting promptly when a defect is identified.
How do I protect my mechanic’s lien rights in Colorado?
Colorado’s mechanic’s lien statute requires most subcontractors and suppliers to serve a Notice to Owner within specified deadlines after first furnishing labor or materials to the project. The lien itself must then be recorded within strict timeframes after the last day of work — typically four months for private projects. Missing these deadlines can permanently forfeit lien rights even when the unpaid party clearly performed the work. Consulting a construction attorney as soon as payment is disputed preserves your options.
How do construction disputes on military installations in Colorado Springs work?
Construction disputes on Fort Carson, the Air Force Academy, Peterson Space Force Base, and other federal properties are governed by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and the Contract Disputes Act rather than Colorado state law. Contractors must typically submit a certified claim to the contracting officer before pursuing litigation, and disputes are resolved through the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals or the U.S. Court of Federal Claims rather than state court. The timelines and procedures are different from private construction disputes and require attorneys familiar with federal construction law.
Can a subcontractor file a mechanic’s lien on a military base?
No — federal sovereign immunity prevents mechanic’s liens from being filed on federal property, including military installations. Subcontractors and suppliers on federal construction projects are instead protected by the Miller Act, which requires general contractors on federal construction projects over a certain dollar threshold to obtain payment bonds. Unpaid subcontractors and suppliers can make claims against those payment bonds as an alternative to the lien rights available on private projects.
Schedule a Consultation with a Colorado Springs Construction Lawyer
Construction disputes in El Paso County involve strict statutory deadlines — CDARA notice requirements, mechanic’s lien filing windows, and statutes of limitation all have cutoffs that affect what options are still available. Getting experienced construction counsel involved early in a dispute consistently produces better outcomes than waiting until deadlines are close.
Call (303) 990-5308 or schedule a confidential consultation online. Our Colorado Springs construction attorneys represent owners, contractors, subcontractors, and design professionals in disputes throughout El Paso County and Colorado.
