Lemon vehicles cost the owner time, money, and frustration as the vehicle is taken to a repair shop multiple times for the same problem to be properly repaired. Colorado's lemon laws are designed to give consumers relief from a new vehicle that has chronic problems. Not every new vehicle that has a mechanical issue is covered under state law, which also places restrictions on the time period the vehicle's owner can sue the vehicle manufacturer.
The lemon laws in the state of Colorado apply to only certain types of vehicles. A person has to have purchased the vehicle from a dealer, not a private party. In other words, used vehicles are not protected by the lemon laws. The vehicle also has to have an engine that allow the vehicle to travel by itself, meaning trailers are not covered. Motor homes and motorcycles are not covered by Colorado's lemon laws, according to the Colorado attorney general.
Not all repairs are severe enough for the vehicle's owner to qualify for relief under Colorado's lemon laws. An owner must take the vehicle into a repair shop at least four times for the same problem, not for separate problems, or the vehicle must be inoperable for a total of 30 business days during the vehicle's warranty or the first year the owner has the vehicle.
A consumer who wants to file a complaint under Colorado's lemon laws must follow a specific process. After the owner's vehicle meets the repair requirements, the owner must send a formal notice of the problem to the vehicle's manufacturer through certified mail. Some manufacturers offer an informal dispute resolution program, which the owner must participate in, according to the Colorado attorney general. The vehicle owner can file a lawsuit if the manufacturer does not offer a satisfactory resolution, but this suit must be filed within one year after the owner takes possession of the vehicle or six months after the vehicle's warranty expires.
