DENVER — Colorado Civil Justice League announced winners of its Common Sense in the Courtroom Awards, given to state legislators who have demonstrated a commitment to curtailing lawsuit abuse and protecting small business and working families from the cost of frivolous litigation.

Awards will be presented at a luncheon on Oct. 10 at the Denver Four Seasons, sponsored by American Furniture Warehouse, COPIC, Colorado Hospital Association, State Farm, Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association, Husch Blackwell, Spencer Fane and Wheeler Trigg O’Donnell.

CCJL is the only organization in Colorado exclusively dedicated to stopping lawsuit abuse while preserving a system of civil justice that fairly compensates legitimate victims.

“Common Sense in the Courtroom requires justice for those who have been harmed by someone else, balanced by fairness for those who may be wrongfully accused,” said CCJL executive director Mark Hillman.

Unfortunately, the Colorado General Assembly created too many new opportunities for lawsuits – against employers, property owners, and manufactuers – during its 2023 legislative session.

This continues a dismal trend of creating higher costs for Colorado businesses.  A new study by Common Sense Institute shows that in just the past four years, the state legislature has passed at least 43 bills that expand litigation.

However, bipartisan coalitions came together to put the brakes on expansions of lawsuits by creating new opportunities to sue for “emotional damages” or to seek treble damages.

“At CCJL, we are grateful for the bipartisan support of legislators who understand the importance of an efficient and balanced court system to our state’s economic health,” Hillman said.

Common Sense in the Courtroom Award recipients include:

• Representatives Ryan Armagost (Bethoud), Shannon Bird (Westminster), Rod Bockenfeld (Watkins), Scott Bottoms (Colorado Springs), Mary Bradfield (Colorado Springs), Brandi Bradley (Littleton), Marc Catlin (Montrose), Ken DeGraaf (Colorado Springs), Gabe Evans (Fort Lupton), Lisa Frizell (Castle Rock), Anthony Hartsook (Parker), Richard Holtorf (Akron), Stephanie Luck (Penrose), Mike Lynch (Fort Collins), Bob Marshall (Highlands Ranch), Barbara McLachlan (Durango), Rose Pugliese (Colorado Springs), Marc Snyder (Manitou Springs), Matt Soper (Delta), Rick Taggart (Grand Junction), Ron Weinberg (Loveland), Don Wilson (Monument), and Ty Winter (Trinidad).

• Senators Mark Baisley (Woodland Park), Bob Gardner (Colorado Springs), Joann Ginal (Fort Collins), Barbara Kirkmeyer (Brighton), Larry Liston (Colorado Springs), Paul Lundeen (Monument), Kyle Mullica (Thornton), Byron Pelton (Sterling), Rod Pelton (Cheyenne Wells), Kevin Priola (Henderson), Janice Rich (Grand Junction), Dylan Roberts (Eagle), Cleave Simpson (Alamosa), Jim Smallwood (Parker), Kevin Van Winkle (Highlands Ranch), Perry Will (New Castle), and Rachel Zenzinger (Arvada).