PROTECTING YOUR RIGHTS WHEN YOU ARE NOT
GETTING PAID LIENS, BONDS AND CONTRACT FUNDS

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

There are at least three collection options a contractor should consider if it is not getting paid for the work it performed on
a project.  You can file a mechanics’ lien, assert a claim against the surety bond, or assert a claim against the holder of
earned contract funds. Each of these involves an “asset” that acts as collateral for the amounts due and may be in addition
to your other contractual and equitable rights.  These collection options may give you some negotiating leverage and, at the
very least, may become your only source of recovery should the owner and/or general contractor skip town, become
insolvent or file bankruptcy.

Mechanics’ Liens 
The Colorado Mechanics’ Lien Statute allows a contractor to place a lien on the project’s real property.  The lien is usually
for an amount equal to the labor, materials, supplies and equipment for which you have not been paid.

Three items are critical to enforcing a mechanics’ lien.  You must properly serve a Notice of Intent to File a Lien Statement
upon the property owner and the principal contractor. You must then record a Statement of Lien with the clerk and recorder
for the county where the real property is located.  Finally, you must file a lawsuit with the District Court and record a Notice
of Lis Pendens in the appropriate county.

It is critical that each of these tasks be completed properly and performed within the deadlines established by the statute.
Even though a mechanic’s lien can be an effective too, failure to follow the statutory deadlines and other requirements will
not only result in a loss of your lien rights, but may also expose you to liability for the other side’s damages, including
attorneys’ fees.

Payment and Performance Bonds 
Under a payment bond, the surety is generally required to satisfy the claims of unpaid subcontractors, laborers and
suppliers.  A performance bond, on the other hand, generally obligates the surety to ensure completion of the bonded
contractor’s work.  Surety bonds are almost always present on federal, state and local government construction projects.
In that context, the parties’ respective rights and obligations are primarily controlled by the federal Miller Act or Colorado’s
Public Works Statute.  Surety bonds may be required on a private construction project, depending upon the owner’s
wishes.  The parties’ rights and obligations in the private project context are primarily controlled by the language of the bond.

With the exception of federal construction projects, there is no standard bond form. Therefore, you must evaluate your bond
rights on a case-by-case basis.  Here are a few guidelines that can help you go through that process.  First, you should get
a copy of the bond as soon as possible and become fully familiar with the terms and conditions of the bond and any
applicable statutes.  Second, you must provide all required written notices to the appropriate parties within the necessary
deadlines.  Third, you should be prepared to submit backup documentation to the surety so it can evaluate the claim.  Finally,
a lawsuit to enforce your bond rights must be filed within the deadlines established by the bond and applicable statute.  As
with mechanics’ liens, failure to strictly follow all conditions required by the bond or applicable statute will result in a loss of
your bond rights.

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————-