Denver Construction Lawyers — Construction Disputes and Contract Enforcement in Denver District Court
Denver has been in the middle of a sustained building boom — high-rise residential towers downtown, major mixed-use developments in RiNo, Stapleton, and the Platte River corridor, significant commercial construction throughout the metro, and continuous infill development in established neighborhoods. This volume of construction activity generates a consistent and significant stream of construction disputes: defects in newly completed buildings, payment conflicts running into the hundreds of thousands of dollars, delay claims compounded over months of schedule slippage, and lien enforcement on completed work. Burnham Law’s Denver construction attorneys represent owners, general contractors, subcontractors, and design professionals in the full range of construction disputes in Denver District Court and throughout Colorado.
Meet our Denver civil litigation team below — attorneys experienced in construction defect claims, payment disputes, mechanic’s lien enforcement, and construction contract litigation throughout Denver and Colorado.
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.
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...
Samaneh (Sam) Fard Wiley is motivated to help clients navigate legal challenges with compassion and practical guidance. She is committed to providing responsive communication, strategic advocacy, and personalized representation while helping clients achieve the best possible outcome. Before joining Burnham Law, Sam practiced law in Iran for more than 11 years, representing clients in a wide range of legal matters and building a strong foundation in litigation, advocacy, and client service. After relocating to the United States, she continued her legal career at a personal injury law firm in Grand Junction, Colorado, where she further developed her skills representing clients and navigating complex legal matters before becoming licensed to practice law in Colorado. Sam's diverse legal background and international perspective allow her to approach each case with thoughtful analysis, practical solutions, and a deep commitment to her clients. Outside the office, Sam enjoys reading, hiking, traveling, gardening, exploring new places, cooking, and spending time with friends.
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 Denver, Colorado
Denver’s construction market is one of the most active in the Rocky Mountain region, with projects ranging from multi-story residential towers and major commercial developments to public infrastructure projects and urban infill construction throughout the city’s diverse neighborhoods. This volume and variety of construction activity creates disputes across the full range of construction law — defect claims, payment disputes, delay litigation, design professional liability, and contract interpretation conflicts at every tier of the construction contract structure.
Colorado’s Construction Defect Action Reform Act (CDARA) establishes the mandatory pre-litigation procedures for construction defect claims — notice requirements, inspection rights, and an opportunity to remedy before a lawsuit can be filed in Denver District Court. The Colorado Mechanics’ Lien Act gives contractors, subcontractors, and material suppliers the right to file a lien against improved property as security for unpaid claims. Both statutes have strict procedural requirements and unforgiving deadlines. In Denver’s high-value construction market, where individual projects can involve tens of millions of dollars of work, these statutory frameworks are practically significant on every significant project.
Denver’s construction disputes also include a significant volume of public construction — City and County of Denver infrastructure projects, Denver International Airport construction, Denver Public Schools facilities, and RTD transit construction. Public construction disputes in Denver involve different contract structures, claim procedures, and payment bond frameworks than private construction, and they often intersect with the City’s specific procurement requirements.
What Our Denver Construction Attorneys Handle
Construction defect claims: Denver’s high-volume, high-value construction market generates defect claims of every type and scale — from residential condominium defects affecting hundreds of units to single-family home defects, commercial building envelope failures, and major structural issues in newly completed projects. We represent owners pursuing defect claims and contractors defending against them, following CDARA’s mandatory procedures correctly from the outset.
Mechanic’s liens and payment disputes: Contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers working on Denver’s active construction projects who are not paid have powerful statutory lien rights. We file and enforce mechanic’s liens for unpaid claimants in Denver and represent property owners and general contractors contesting lien filings in Denver District Court.
Construction contract disputes: Disputes over contract scope, change orders, substantial completion, liquidated damages, and warranty obligations arise on Denver construction projects at every scale. We represent all parties — owners, general contractors, subcontractors, and design professionals — in construction contract disputes in Denver District Court.
Delay and disruption claims: Construction delay claims in Denver’s fast-moving market can be substantial — extended general conditions, escalated material costs, lost productivity, and schedule impacts that compound over months. We handle delay claims for claimants and respondents, with the expert schedule analysis that these cases require.
Design professional liability: Denver’s active architectural and engineering community — including firms that work on major mixed-use developments, urban infill projects, and public construction — generates design professional liability claims when deficient documents cause project failures or cost overruns. We represent owners pursuing these claims and design professionals defending against negligence allegations.
Denver public construction: Construction disputes on City and County of Denver projects, DIA construction, Denver Public Schools facilities, and RTD projects involve public procurement frameworks and payment bond claim procedures. We represent contractors and subcontractors in Denver public construction disputes.
How Denver Construction Cases Work
Construction defect cases in Denver under CDARA begin before any lawsuit is filed. The claimant serves a detailed written notice of claim on the responsible contractor, describing the alleged defects. The contractor has the right to inspect and submit a written response. If the claimant rejects the remediation offer or none is made, litigation proceeds in Denver District Court. Denver’s high-value construction market means that CDARA proceedings often involve significant amounts, multiple parties, and intense negotiations — making legal representation from the notice stage essential.
Construction litigation in Denver is expert-intensive. Establishing whether construction met the applicable standard in Denver’s sophisticated market requires experienced contractors, engineers, or construction managers who can evaluate complex projects against contract specifications and industry practice. In high-rise and mixed-use projects, the technical complexity of the expert analysis can be significant. Building a strong expert foundation early in the case is critical to effective construction litigation in Denver District Court.
Many Denver construction disputes resolve through mediation — which construction contracts in this market frequently require. Cases that don’t settle at mediation proceed to bench trial in Denver District Court, where judges with experience in complex commercial matters evaluate the technical issues with expert testimony. Full trial preparation in Denver’s competitive legal market is what generates the credible litigation threat that drives favorable pre-trial settlements.
Why Burnham Law for Construction Disputes in Denver
Denver construction market knowledge. Denver’s construction disputes involve projects and contract structures that are specific to this market — high-rise residential, major mixed-use development, urban infill, and significant public construction. We understand how these projects are contracted, built, and disputed in Denver’s specific environment.
CDARA precision in a high-value market. In Denver’s construction market, where individual projects can involve substantial sums, CDARA compliance is both mandatory and strategically important. We ensure our clients follow the required procedures correctly and use the process to build the strongest possible case.
Denver District Court experience. We appear regularly in Denver District Court in construction and civil matters. We understand this court’s expectations for construction litigation — including what judges in this courthouse expect from expert witnesses, documentary evidence, and the presentation of complex technical issues.
Public construction expertise. Denver’s significant public construction activity — including DIA, RTD, and City and County projects — creates disputes with a public procurement overlay that requires specialized knowledge. We handle Denver public construction disputes for contractors and subcontractors who work in this important sector of the market.
Frequently Asked Questions — Denver Construction Lawyers
What is CDARA and how does it affect construction defect claims in Denver?
The Construction Defect Action Reform Act establishes mandatory pre-litigation procedures for Colorado construction defect claims. Before filing in Denver District Court, the claimant must serve a detailed notice of claim on the responsible contractor, allow for inspection of the alleged defects, and give the contractor an opportunity to remedy the problem. These steps are mandatory and must be followed precisely — procedural failures can result in dismissal or loss of certain damages. In Denver’s high-value construction market, where defect claims often involve complex multi-party disputes, CDARA compliance from day one is essential.
How long do I have to file a construction defect claim in Denver?
Colorado’s two-year statute of limitations for construction defect claims runs from the date the defect was discovered or reasonably should have been discovered. The eight-year statute of repose runs from substantial completion of construction — claims are barred after eight years regardless of when the defect appeared. In Denver’s high-rise and mixed-use construction market, where building systems can fail years after completion, understanding these windows and initiating CDARA procedures before they close is critical.
How do mechanic’s liens work on Denver construction projects?
Colorado’s mechanic’s lien statute gives contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers who are not paid the right to file a lien against the improved property as security for their claim. In Denver’s high-value real estate market, mechanic’s liens on commercial and residential projects can be for substantial sums and significantly affect a property’s ability to be financed or sold. Lien claimants must typically serve a Notice to Owner within specified deadlines after starting work and record the lien within specified timeframes after the last day of work. Missing these deadlines forfeits lien rights entirely.
What special considerations apply to construction disputes on Denver Airport or RTD projects?
DIA and RTD construction projects are public construction governed by Colorado’s public construction statutes, federal requirements where applicable, and the specific contract frameworks these agencies use. Mechanic’s liens cannot be filed on public property — instead, payment bonds are required on public construction projects above certain dollar thresholds, and unpaid subcontractors and suppliers have bond claim rights with their own notice requirements. DIA and RTD disputes may also involve federal contract law depending on funding sources. These disputes require attorneys experienced with public construction in Denver specifically.
Can a general contractor be held liable for defects caused by a subcontractor?
Generally yes. General contractors are responsible to the owner for the quality of work performed by their subcontractors, even when the defect is attributable to the subcontractor’s workmanship. In Denver’s complex multi-party construction market, general contractors often face direct liability to the owner while simultaneously pursuing indemnity claims against the responsible subcontractor. Construction subcontracts typically include indemnity and insurance provisions that govern how these liabilities flow between the parties — and the adequacy of those provisions significantly affects each party’s exposure.
Schedule a Consultation with a Denver Construction Lawyer
Construction disputes in Denver involve significant financial stakes, strict statutory deadlines, and a sophisticated legal market that rewards thorough preparation. Getting experienced Denver construction counsel involved early — when CDARA notice windows, lien filing deadlines, and limitations periods are still open — consistently produces better outcomes.
Call (303) 990-5308 or schedule a confidential consultation online. Our Denver construction attorneys represent owners, contractors, subcontractors, and design professionals in construction disputes throughout Denver and Colorado.
