Priest Abuse In Colorado

Colorado Clergy Abuse Lawsuits

Colorado survivors have filed dozens of clergy abuse lawsuits against members of the Catholic Church. There are more than 40 priests accused of abuse in Colorado. According to the attorney general’s report, 166 children were sexually abused by these priests.

Colorado’s open “look back” window gives many of these survivors a second chance to file a lawsuit and hold their abusers accountable.

2021 | Michael O’Brien Accused Of 300 Abuse Incidents

In December 2021, Keegan Callahan filed a civil lawsuit, accusing former Aspen priest Michael O’Brien of child sexual abuse. The alleged abuse occurred from 2004 to 2008. When the abuse began, Callahan was a seven-year-old altar boy at St. Mary Catholic Church.

According to Callahan, O’Brien abused him approximately 300 times, including acts of physical assault. The lawsuit accused the Archdiocese of Denver and St. Mary Catholic Church of negligence for retaining O’Brien.

2022 | Survivor Accuses James Moreno, Six Other Priests

In 2022, Brian Barzee filed a lawsuit against the Archdiocese of Denver. The lawsuit accused Father James Moreno of repeated sexual abuse. From 1978 to 1982, Moreno allegedly abused Barzee hundreds of times while he attended St. Andrew’s Preparatory Seminary High School. According to Barzee, six other priests were aware of the abuse and several participated.

Moreno was laicized in 2020 after confessing to separate accusations of abuse.

Clergy Abuse Settlements In Colorado

To avoid lengthy, costly trials, the Catholic dioceses of Colorado have settled many priest abuse cases.

By October 2020, the Archdiocese of Denver settled more than 70 claims against abusive priests. The archdiocese paid more than $8.2 million to settle all the claims.

Many of these settlements were paid from the Colorado Independent Reconciliation and Reparations Program (IRRP).

Colorado Independent Reconciliation And Reparations Program

In 2019, the Colorado dioceses and the state attorney general’s office created the Colorado Independent Reconciliation and Reparations Program (IRRP).

The program established a fund to pay compensation to priest abuse victims. If a survivor chose to accept the money through the IRRP, they waived any future rights to sue the dioceses.

The IRRP covered claims against Colorado priests accused of abuse within the following Roman Catholic dioceses:

• The Archdiocese of Denver
• The Diocese of Pueblo
• The Diocese of Colorado Springs

In April 2021, the program announced the final details of the program. More than 90 people filed claims through the IRRP. The program deemed 81 of these claimants eligible for compensation. The Colorado dioceses paid a total of $7.3 million dollars in compensation to claimants.

The IRRP is closed and no longer accepting new claims.

Child Sex Abuse Statutes Of Limitations In Colorado

In 2021, Colorado lawmakers passed two significant bills that impact the statutes of limitations for child sexual abuse survivors. 

• Senate Bill 73 (SB 73) eliminated Colorado’s civil statute of limitations regarding sexual assault and child sexual abuse. 
• Senate Bill 88 (SB 88) opened a three-year “look back” window. This window revives most expired claims of child sexual abuse in the state of Colorado.

Civil Statute For Child Sex Abuse In Colorado

SB 73 goes into effect in 2022. Thus, as of January 1, 2022, there is no statute of limitations for civil claims of sexual assault and child sexual abuse in Colorado.

SB 73 eliminated Colorado’s civil statute of sexual assault and child sexual abuse for recent and future victims. 

Beginning January 1, 2022, survivors can seek civil justice under the following statutes:

• Survivors sexually abused or assaulted on or after January 1, 2022, have unlimited time to file a civil lawsuit against their abuser or the responsible institution.
• Survivors assaulted before January 1, 2022, have unlimited time to file a civil claim if their claim was still valid under the previous six-year statute.

SB 73 expanded the legal rights of many abuse survivors in the state of Colorado. However, this bill’s provisions were not retroactive. Many survivors who were abused years ago would still have been unable to file claims. Thus, lawmakers passed SB 88 to open a legal “look back” window to revive many of these older claims.

Colorado’s “Look Back” Window

SB 88 opened a three-year retroactive window for civil claims of child sexual abuse.

During the three-year period, most child sexual abuse survivors in the state of Colorado will be eligible to file civil claims against abusers or the responsible institutions.

There are some limitations to the revival window. SB 88 does not revive all past abuse claims. The window only revives child sexual abuse claims related to incidents that occurred on or after January 1, 1960. Any older claims are still time-barred. 

SB 88 also caps monetary damages for civil claims against responsible institutions that ignored or concealed abuse allegations. 

• Damages against a public government entity found guilty of covering up abuse will be capped at $387,000. 
• Damages against private entities will be capped up to $1 million. The Colorado Catholic dioceses are one example of private entities that may be sued under the revival window. 

The three-year window opens on January 1, 2022. The window will close on December 31, 2024.

Criminal Statute For Child Sex Abuse In Colorado

In Colorado, there is no criminal statute of limitations for felony sexual offenses committed against a minor. 

Learn more about Colorado’s criminal statutes of limitations for child sexual offenses here.

List Of Accused Priests In Colorado

This is a list of Catholic priests accused of abuse in Colorado. This list does not include clergy members of other religious orders or denominations. This list does not include staff members, volunteers or congregation members accused of abuse in the Colorado dioceses.

Talk to our lawyers today to learn more about the legal options available to you.

History Of Clergy Abuse In Colorado

In February 2019, former U.S. Attorney Bob Troyer began an investigation into accusations of child sexual abuse within the Colorado Catholic dioceses. The investigation lasted 22 months.

On December 1, 2020, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser released the final report. The report was the first step for the state to address decades of clergy abuse in Colorado.

Investigators documented 212 cases of priest abuse in the Colorado dioceses since 1950. A total of 52 priests and clergy members were involved in the abuse of more than 160 children. The report also revealed previously-unknown allegations against prominent priest Charles Woodrich.

Charles Woodrich Abused Multiple Children

Father Charles Woodrich, commonly referred to as “Father Woody,” was well known within his local community. He founded a homeless shelter in Denver and became known as the “patron saint of the poor.” However, allegations in the attorney general’s report revealed Woodrich was accused of sexually abusing multiple children.

One survivor accused Woodrich of abuse over a period of six years, beginning when he was 12 years old. Woodrich died in 1991 before allegations against him were ever made public.

Colorado Priest Abuse Victim Resources

There are many programs and organizations that support sexual abuse survivors in Colorado. These groups provide useful resources for victims and their families. The list below includes sexual violence support programs in Colorado, organized by county.

Colorado Sexual Violence Programs by County

County	Facility Name	Phone Number(s)
Adams	The Blue Bench	Hotline: 303-322-7273 Office: 303-329-9922
Adams	Family Tree	Hotline: 303-420-6752
Alamosa	Tu Casa, Inc.	Hotline: 719-589-2465
Arapahoe	The Blue Bench	Hotline: 303-322-7273 Office: 303-329-9922
Arapahoe	Family Tree	Hotline: 303-420-6752
Archuleta	Sexual Assault Services Organization (SASO)	Hotline: 970-247-5400 Office: 970-259-3074
Archuleta	Rise Above Violence	Hotline: 970-264-9075 Office: 970-264-1129
Baca	Domestic Safety Resource Center	Hotline: 719-336-4357
Bent	Arkansas Valley Resource Center	Hotline: 719-384-7764
Boulder	Moving to End Sexual Assault (MESA)	Hotline: 303-443-7300 Office: 303-443-0400
Boulder	Family Tree	Hotline: 303-420-6752
Broomfield	The Blue Bench	Hotline: 303-322-7273 Office: 303-329-9922
Broomfield	Family Tree	Hotline: 303-420-6752
Chaffee	The Alliance	Hotline: 719-539-7347
Cheyenne	Domestic Safety Resource Center	Hotline: 719-336-4357
Clear Creek	Clear Creek County Advocates	Hotline: 303-569-3126 Office: 303-679-2426
Clear Creek	PeaceWorks, Inc.	Hotline: 303-838-8181 Office: 303-838-7176
Conejos	Tu Casa, Inc.	Hotline: 719-589-2465
Costilla	Tu Casa, Inc.	Hotline: 719-589-2465
Crowley	Arkansas Valley Resource Center	Hotline: 719-384-7764
Custer	Family Crisis Services, Inc.	Hotline: 719-275-2429
Delta	Latimer House Hilltop	Hotline: 1-844-990-5500
Denver	The Blue Bench	Hotline: 303-322-7273 Office: 303-329-9922
Denver	Family Tree	Hotline: 303-420-6752
Dolores	Renew, Inc.	Hotline: 970-565-2100 Office: 970-565-4886
Douglas	The Blue Bench	Hotline: 303-322-7273 Office: 303-329-9922
Douglas	Family Tree	Hotline: 303-420-6752
Eagle	Response	Hotline: 970-925-SAFE (7233) Office: 970-920-5357
Eagle	Bright Future Foundation	Hotline: 970-949-7086 Office: 970-949-7097
El Paso	Haseya Advocate Program	Office: 719-600-3939
El Paso	TESSA	Hotline: 719-633-3819 Office: 719-633-1462
Elbert	The Blue Bench	Hotline: 303-322-7273 Office: 303-329-9922
Fremont	The Alliance	Hotline: 719-539-7347
Fremont	Family Crisis Services, Inc.	Hotline: 719-275-2429
Garfield	Advocate Safehouse Project	Hotline: 970-945-4439 Hotline: 970-285-0209 Office: 970-945-2632
Gilpin	The Blue Bench	Hotline: 303-322-7273 Office: 303-329-9922
Gilpin	Family Tree	Hotline: 303-420-6752
Grand	Advocates for A Violence-Free Community	Hotline: 970-725-3412 Office: 970-725-3442
Gunnison	Project Hope of Gunnison Valley	Hotline: 970-275-1193 Office: 970-641-2712
Hinsdale	Project Hope of Gunnison Valley	Hotline: 970-275-1193 Office: 970-641-2712
Hinsdale	Rise Above Violence	Hotline: 970-264-9075 Office: 970-264-1129
Huerfano	Advocates Against Domestic Assault	Hotline: 719-846-6665 Office: 719-846-9159
Jackson	The Sexual Assault Victim Advocate (SAVA) Center	Hotline: 970-472-4200
Jefferson	The Blue Bench	Hotline: 303-322-7273 Office: 303-329-9922
Jefferson	Family Tree	Hotline: 303-420-6752
Jefferson	PeaceWorks, Inc.	Hotline: 303-838-8181 Office: 303-838-7176
Kiowa	Domestic Safety Resource Center	Hotline: 719-336-4357
Kit Carson	SARA House	Office: 970-867-2121
La Plata	Sexual Assault Services Organization (SASO)	Hotline: 970-247-5400 Office: 970-259-3074
Lake	Advocates of Lake County, Inc.	Hotline: 719-486-3530
Larimer	The Sexual Assault Victim Advocate (SAVA) Center	Hotline: 970-472-4200
Larimer	Estes Valley Crisis Advocates	Hotline: 970-586-4000 Office: 970-577-9781
Larimer	Alternatives to Violence	Hotline: 970-880-1000 Office: 970-669-5150
Las Animas	Advocates Against Domestic Assault	Hotline: 719-846-6665 Office: 719-846-9159
Lincoln	The Blue Bench	Hotline: 303-322-7273 Office: 303-329-9922
Logan	SARA House	Office: 970-867-2121
Mesa	Latimer House Hilltop	Hotline: 1-844-990-5500
Mineral	Tu Casa, Inc.	Hotline: 719-589-2465
Moffat	Open Heart Advocates (formerly Advocates Crisis Support Services of Craig)	Hotline: 970-824-2400 Office Line: 970-824-9709
Montezuma	Renew, Inc.	Hotline: 970-565-2100 Office: 970-565-4886
Montrose	Latimer House Hilltop	Hotline: 1-844-990-5500
Morgan	SARA House	Office: 970-867-2121
Otero	Arkansas Valley Resource Center	Hotline: 719-384-7764
Ouray	Latimer House Hilltop	Hotline: 1-844-990-5500
Park	PeaceWorks, Inc.	Hotline: 303-838-8181 Office: 303-838-7176
Phillips	SARA House	Office: 970-867-2121
Pitkin	Response	Hotline: 970-925-SAFE (7233) Office: 970-920-5357
Prowers	Domestic Safety Resource Center	Hotline: 719-336-4357
Pueblo	Pueblo Rape Crisis Services (PRCS)	Hotline: 719-549-0549 Office: 719-544-1191
Rio Blanco	Safehouse, Inc.	Office: 970-878-3131
Rio Grande	Tu Casa, Inc.	Hotline: 719-589-2465
Routt	Advocates of Routt County	Hotline: 970-879-8888 Office: 970-879-2034
Saguache	Tu Casa, Inc.	Hotline: 719-589-2465
San Juan	Sexual Assault Services Organization (SASO)	Hotline: 970-247-5400 Office: 970-259-3074
San Miguel	Alternative Horizons	Hotline: 970-247-9619
Sedgwick	SARA House	Office: 970-867-2121
Summit	Advocates for Victims of Assault	Hotline: 970-668-3906 Office: 970-668-3906
Teller	TESSA	Hotline: 719-633-3819 Office: 719-633-1462
Washington	SARA House	Office: 970-867-2121
Weld	The Sexual Assault Victim Advocate (SAVA) Center	Hotline: 970-472-4200
Yuma	SARA House	Office: 970-867-2121
Sources:	Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault, Violence Free Colorado

Colorado Clergy Abuse FAQs

What Is The Statute Of Limitations On Priest Sexual Abuse In Colorado?

There is no statute of limitations for civil claims of sexual assault and child sexual abuse in Colorado. Legislators eliminated the civil statute in January 2022.

Lawmakers also opened a three-year “look back” window to revive many expired sexual abuse claims in Colorado. This window will close on December 31, 2024.

Learn more about child sexual abuse statutes in Colorado here >

How Do I Report Sexual Abuse By A Priest In Colorado?

To report suspected child sexual abuse, please call the Colorado Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 844-CO-4-Kids (26-4-5437).

You may also report sexual abuse of a minor to the Colorado Attorney General’s Office by completing an online form found here.

Learn more about reporting abuse cases in Colorado here.

After reporting abuse to law enforcement, survivors may also choose to report abuse to the relevant Catholic diocese in Colorado:

Do I Have To Currently Live In Colorado To File A Colorado Priest Abuse Lawsuit?

You do not have to live in Colorado to file a clergy sex abuse lawsuit in the state. However, the case must relate to the state in some way. For example, a survivor of abuse may file a lawsuit against a priest or a specific diocese in Colorado if the abuse took place there.

Who Can File On Behalf Of A Victim?

Someone who has legal authority for a victim of abuse may file a lawsuit on the victim’s behalf. Most often, this person would be a victim’s parent, guardian or conservator. A victim’s estate may also seek legal action on behalf of the victim.