Municipal Court Restitution Information

Restitution is an order made by the court as part of a sentence that holds offenders accountable for the financial losses they caused to the victims of their crimes. Restitution may include a victim’s:

• Out-of-pocket financial losses.
• Medical expenses, including co-pays and insurance deductibles, for injuries caused by the offender.
• Veterinary expenses to care for wounded pets.
• Vehicle repair expenses not covered by auto insurance policies.
• Property repair expenses or property replacement costs.
• Insurance deductibles.
• Other financial losses directly caused by the offender’s actions.

Restitution only compensates a victim for out-of-pocket financial losses caused by a crime. Restitution does not include:

• Losses that are not a direct result of the offender’s behavior.
• Losses that were already paid by an insurance policy, the offender, or any other involved party.
• Under Colorado law, any traffic crash expenses that would be covered under an insurance policy cannot be sought as restitution unless the insurance company has refused or limited coverage.
• Pain and suffering.

Notify the City Attorney’s Office Prosecution Division immediately that you have a potential restitution request. Please email cityrest@coloradosprings.gov and provide the information below.

Please send your name, contact information, the case report number you received from the officer, and a list of losses caused by the defendant’s criminal actions for which you would like restitution to be reviewed. For each loss, provide:

• An explanation of the expense and how it was caused by the offender.
• Receipts, bills, and/or invoices supporting the request.
• Estimates for repair services that have not yet been completed.
• Insurance documents establishing coverage and any deductibles that need to be met, where applicable.
• Even if you do not have receipts or estimates yet, you must contact us within 21 days so that we know to ask the court for an extension.

A prosecutor will review your request and the supporting documents you submit and will make a restitution motion to the court where legally appropriate. This motion will be provided to the offender and the court. Keep in mind there are many legal requirements prosecutors must consider that are not listed here. After the motion to the court the offender can agree to pay the amount or can ask for a hearing where expenses must be proven.

• If a restitution hearing is requested, the City Attorney will subpoena you for that hearing.
• After the hearing, the court will decide whether restitution will be ordered and in what amount.
• Offenders make restitution payments to the court as a condition of their sentence, and the court then pays victims. This process can take time.