C.R.S. Section 4-3-305
Defenses and claims in recoupment

(a)

Except as stated in subsection (b) of this section, the right to enforce the obligation of a party to pay an instrument is subject to the following:

(1)

A defense of the obligor based on (i) infancy of the obligor to the extent it is a defense to a simple contract, (ii) duress, lack of legal capacity, or illegality of the transaction which, under other law, nullifies the obligation of the obligor, (iii) fraud that induced the obligor to sign the instrument with neither knowledge nor reasonable opportunity to learn of its character or its essential terms, or (iv) discharge of the obligor in insolvency proceedings;

(2)

A defense of the obligor stated in another section of this article or a defense of the obligor that would be available if the person entitled to enforce the instrument were enforcing a right to payment under a simple contract; and

(3)

A claim in recoupment of the obligor against the original payee of the instrument if the claim arose from the transaction that gave rise to the instrument; but the claim of the obligor may be asserted against a transferee of the instrument only to reduce the amount owing on the instrument at the time the action is brought.

(b)

The right of a holder in due course to enforce the obligation of a party to pay the instrument is subject to defenses of the obligor stated in subsection (a)(1) of this section, but is not subject to defenses of the obligor stated in subsection (a)(2) of this section or claims in recoupment stated in subsection (a)(3) of this section against a person other than the holder.

(c)

Except as stated in subsection (d) of this section, in an action to enforce the obligation of a party to pay the instrument, the obligor may not assert against the person entitled to enforce the instrument a defense, claim in recoupment, or claim to the instrument (section 4-3-306) of another person, but the other person’s claim to the instrument may be asserted by the obligor if the other person is joined in the action and personally asserts the claim against the person entitled to enforce the instrument. An obligor is not obliged to pay the instrument if the person seeking enforcement of the instrument does not have rights of a holder in due course and the obligor proves that the instrument is a lost or stolen instrument.

(d)

In an action to enforce the obligation of an accommodation party to pay an instrument, the accommodation party may assert against the person entitled to enforce the instrument any defense or claim in recoupment under subsection (a) of this section that the accommodated party could assert against the person entitled to enforce the instrument, except the defenses of discharge in insolvency proceedings, infancy, and lack of legal capacity.

Source: Section 4-3-305 — Defenses and claims in recoupment, https://leg.­colorado.­gov/sites/default/files/images/olls/crs2023-title-04.­pdf (accessed Oct. 20, 2023).

4‑3‑101
Short title 4‑3‑102
Subject matter 4‑3‑103
Definitions 4‑3‑104
Negotiable instrument 4‑3‑105
Issue of instrument 4‑3‑106
Unconditional promise or order 4‑3‑107
Instrument payable in foreign money 4‑3‑108
Payable on demand or at definite time 4‑3‑109
Payable to bearer or to order 4‑3‑110
Identification of person to whom instrument is payable 4‑3‑111
Place of payment 4‑3‑112
Interest 4‑3‑113
Date of instrument 4‑3‑114
Contradictory terms of instrument 4‑3‑115
Incomplete instrument 4‑3‑116
Joint and several liability 4‑3‑117
Other agreements affecting instrument 4‑3‑118
Statute of limitations 4‑3‑119
Notice of right to defend action 4‑3‑201
Negotiation 4‑3‑202
Negotiation subject to rescission 4‑3‑203
Transfer of instrument 4‑3‑204
Indorsement 4‑3‑205
Special indorsement 4‑3‑206
Restrictive indorsement 4‑3‑207
Reacquisition 4‑3‑301
Person entitled to enforce instrument 4‑3‑302
Holder in due course 4‑3‑303
Value and consideration 4‑3‑304
Overdue instrument 4‑3‑305
Defenses and claims in recoupment 4‑3‑306
Claims to an instrument 4‑3‑307
Notice of breach of fiduciary duty 4‑3‑308
Proof of signatures and status as holder in due course 4‑3‑309
Enforcement of lost, destroyed, or stolen instrument 4‑3‑310
Effect of instrument on obligation for which taken 4‑3‑311
Accord and satisfaction by use of instrument 4‑3‑312
Lost, destroyed, or stolen cashier’s check, teller’s check, or certified check 4‑3‑401
Signature necessary for liability on instrument 4‑3‑402
Signature by representative 4‑3‑403
Unauthorized signature 4‑3‑404
Impostors 4‑3‑405
Employer’s responsibility for fraudulent indorsement by employee 4‑3‑406
Negligence contributing to forged signature or alteration of instrument 4‑3‑407
Alteration 4‑3‑408
Drawee not liable on unaccepted draft 4‑3‑409
Acceptance of draft 4‑3‑410
Acceptance of varying draft 4‑3‑411
Refusal to pay cashier’s checks, teller’s checks, and certified checks 4‑3‑412
Obligation of issuer of note or cashier’s check 4‑3‑413
Obligation of acceptor 4‑3‑414
Obligation of drawer 4‑3‑415
Obligation of indorser 4‑3‑416
Transfer warranties 4‑3‑417
Presentment warranties 4‑3‑418
Payment or acceptance by mistake 4‑3‑419
Instruments signed for accommodation 4‑3‑420
Conversion of instrument 4‑3‑501
Presentment 4‑3‑502
Dishonor 4‑3‑503
Notice of dishonor 4‑3‑504
Excused presentment and notice of dishonor 4‑3‑505
Evidence of dishonor 4‑3‑506
Recording credit card or social security numbers prohibited 4‑3‑601
Discharge and effect of discharge 4‑3‑602
Payment 4‑3‑603
Tender of payment 4‑3‑604
Discharge by cancellation or renunciation 4‑3‑605
Discharge of indorsers and accommodation parties
Green check means up to date. Up to date

Current through Fall 2024

§ 4-3-305’s source at colorado​.gov