11/11/2025
When business partnerships break down, accusations of “disappearing” or misused assets are common. Colorado law treats this seriously- and a recent Colorado Court of Appeals case, Chavez v. Chavez-Krumland, clarified an important point: returning stolen assets before trial doesn’t erase exposure to treble damages. The decision reinforces that intent and timing don’t shield wrongdoers from the statute’s full penalties. For business owners and advisors, this ruling underscores the importance of transparency and early legal guidance during partner disputes — especially when allegations of financial misconduct arise.
It is not uncommon in the context of a business dispute for one owner to sue the other for civil theft. In other words, business partners frequently accuse each other of stealing company assets. Sometimes these allegations arise from clear, intentional wrongdoing—a partner deliberately stealing or...