Cheney Galluzzi & Howard LLC provides specialized sexual assault legal representation. Our Denver personal injury lawyers combine aggressive legal advocacy with genuine human compassion to ensure survivors receive both the settlement they deserve and the support needed to move forward after experiencing sexual violence.
Why Choose Cheney Galluzzi & Howard LLC
Cheney Galluzzi & Howard offers trauma-informed sexual assault representation throughout Denver, leveraging our extensive knowledge of Colorado’s sexual assault laws to advocate fiercely for survivors while providing compassionate support. Our team immediately preserves critical evidence and identifies all liable parties, ensuring survivors receive comprehensive compensation covering both immediate needs and long-term recovery. We understand these deeply personal cases require sensitivity and strength, which is why we protect victim privacy while pursuing justice against both perpetrators and institutions that enabled abuse through negligent practices.

Denver Sexual Assault Legal Services
Our attorneys compassionately guide survivors through the complex legal process, combining fierce courtroom advocacy with genuine human understanding to pursue justice for those who have experienced sexual violence.
Sexual assault cases differ significantly from other personal injury matters, requiring attorneys with specialized knowledge and a trauma-informed approach. Our team has extensive experience handling these sensitive cases, understanding both the legal complexities and the emotional challenges survivors face.
We handle every aspect of your case, from evidence collection and preservation to identifying all potentially liable parties. Our process begins with a confidential consultation where we listen to your story without judgment. We then develop a comprehensive legal strategy tailored to your specific situation and goals, whether seeking compensation through civil claims or working alongside criminal proceedings.
Our attorneys utilize specialized resources, including partnerships with medical experts, trauma counselors, and investigators, to build compelling cases while prioritizing your well-being throughout the process.
Specialized Trauma-Informed Approach: Understanding Justice for the Sexually Assaulted
At Cheney Galluzzi & Howard, we recognize that sexual assault survivors require a fundamentally different legal approach than other clients. Our trauma-informed methodology means we understand how trauma affects memory, decision-making, and the ability to recount experiences. This knowledge shapes every interaction we have with survivors, from initial consultation through case resolution.
Our attorneys have received specialized training in trauma-informed interviewing techniques, allowing us to gather necessary case information while minimizing additional emotional distress. We create safe spaces for survivors to share their experiences at their own pace, without pressure or judgment. This approach not only supports healing but also helps build stronger cases by allowing survivors to provide more complete accounts when they feel safe and supported.
Knowledge of Colorado Sexual Assault Laws and Statute of Limitations
Colorado’s sexual assault laws create a complex legal landscape that requires specialized expertise to navigate effectively. Our attorneys possess comprehensive knowledge of both criminal statutes and civil remedies available to survivors under Colorado law, including recent legislative changes that have expanded survivors’ rights.
We understand the critical importance of timing in sexual assault cases, particularly regarding Colorado’s statute of limitations. While criminal prosecutions have specific time constraints, civil claims generally must be filed within two years of the assault or discovery of injury. However, Colorado has enacted important exceptions for childhood sexual abuse cases and situations where survivors were unable to recognize their injury due to trauma or other factors. Our attorneys carefully analyze each case to identify all applicable deadlines and exceptions, ensuring survivors don’t lose their right to pursue justice through procedural technicalities.
Adult Sexual Assault: Pursuing Civil Claims and Lawsuits
Adult sexual assault survivors have multiple legal avenues available beyond criminal prosecution. Our attorneys specialize in pursuing civil claims that hold perpetrators financially accountable while providing survivors with the resources needed for recovery. These civil lawsuits operate independently from criminal proceedings and can succeed even when criminal charges aren’t filed or result in an acquittal.
We meticulously build comprehensive civil cases by gathering medical evidence, expert testimony, and documentation of emotional and financial impacts. Our approach focuses on demonstrating both the assault’s occurrence and the resulting damages, which may include medical expenses, therapy costs, lost income, and compensation for pain and suffering. We also pursue claims against third parties whose negligence may have contributed to the assault, such as property owners with inadequate security, employers who failed to address harassment, or institutions that neglected proper background checks or supervision.
Child Sexual Abuse: Seeking Damages for Long-Term Injury
Child sexual abuse cases present unique challenges requiring specialized legal expertise and extraordinary sensitivity. Our attorneys understand the profound long-term impacts these traumatic experiences can have on survivors, often affecting their entire life trajectory. Colorado law recognizes these lasting effects through extended statutes of limitations for childhood abuse survivors, allowing many to pursue justice years or even decades after the abuse occurred.
We approach these cases with particular care, working closely with child psychologists, medical experts, and other specialists to document the full extent of damages. Our legal strategy addresses not only past harm but also future needs, including ongoing therapy, educational support, and other resources necessary for healing. We pursue claims against both direct perpetrators and institutions that failed to protect children in their care, including schools, religious organizations, sports programs, and youth-serving organizations that enabled abuse through negligent hiring, inadequate supervision, or institutional cover-ups.
Intimate Partner Sexual Violence and Legal Action Options
Sexual violence within intimate relationships presents distinct legal challenges, as these cases often involve complex dynamics of power, control, and financial dependence. Our attorneys have specialized experience helping survivors of intimate partner sexual violence navigate both immediate safety concerns and long-term legal remedies. We work closely with domestic violence advocates to ensure survivors have comprehensive support throughout the legal process.
We help survivors understand all available legal options, including restraining orders, divorce proceedings with appropriate protective provisions, and civil claims for damages. Our approach recognizes the interconnected nature of financial recovery and personal safety, particularly when children are involved. We pursue compensation for medical expenses, therapy costs, relocation expenses, lost income, and other damages while simultaneously addressing custody, support, and safety concerns through appropriate legal channels. Our attorneys maintain absolute confidentiality while developing legal strategies that prioritize both justice and healing.
Workplace Sexual Harassment/Assault: Holding Employers Accountable
Sexual harassment and assault in workplace settings involve specialized legal considerations beyond standard personal injury claims. Our attorneys navigate the complex intersection of employment law, civil rights statutes, and personal injury principles to hold both perpetrators and negligent employers accountable. We understand the professional and financial risks survivors face when coming forward and develop strategies to protect their careers while pursuing justice.
We guide survivors through administrative processes with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or Colorado Civil Rights Division when appropriate, while simultaneously preparing for potential civil litigation. Our comprehensive approach addresses both the individual perpetrator’s liability and the employer’s responsibility for creating or allowing a hostile work environment. We pursue damages, including lost wages, benefits, promotion opportunities, emotional distress, and punitive damages in cases involving particularly egregious employer conduct. Throughout this process, we prioritize the survivor’s professional well-being alongside their legal rights and financial recovery.
Campus Sexual Assault: Advocates for Student Victims
Campus sexual assault cases involve unique jurisdictional and procedural complexities, as survivors must navigate both institutional disciplinary systems and potential criminal or civil proceedings. Our attorneys have specialized experience representing student survivors across Denver’s educational institutions, from high schools to universities. We understand the additional challenges these survivors face, including academic disruption, social consequences, and institutional barriers to justice.
We guide survivors through Title IX proceedings and institutional complaint processes while simultaneously preserving their rights to pursue criminal charges or civil claims. Our comprehensive approach addresses immediate concerns like safety accommodations and academic adjustments while building cases for long-term accountability and compensation. We pursue claims against both individual perpetrators and institutions that failed to implement proper prevention programs, adequately respond to previous incidents, or provide appropriate support services. Throughout this process, we prioritize the survivor’s educational goals alongside their legal rights and recovery needs.
Historical Sexual Abuse Claims: Navigating Complex Legal Challenges
Survivors who come forward years or decades after experiencing sexual abuse face unique legal challenges, from statute of limitations concerns to evidence preservation issues. Our attorneys have specialized experience helping survivors of historical abuse navigate these complexities and pursue justice despite the passage of time. We understand the psychological processes that often delay disclosure and work to ensure these natural responses don’t prevent access to legal remedies.
Colorado has enacted important statute of limitations reforms for sexual abuse cases, particularly those involving childhood abuse. We carefully analyze each case to identify all applicable legal theories and time limit exceptions. Our approach leverages documentary evidence, institutional records, testimony from other survivors, and expert witnesses who can explain both the reasons for delayed reporting and the long-term impacts of trauma. We pursue claims against both individual perpetrators and institutions that enabled or concealed abuse, seeking accountability and compensation that acknowledges both past suffering and ongoing needs.
Personal Injury Lawyers Specializing in Sexual Assault Cases
Sexual assault cases differ fundamentally from other personal injury matters, requiring attorneys with specialized knowledge, resources, and approach. At Cheney Galluzzi & Howard, our personal injury lawyers have developed particular expertise in representing sexual assault survivors, understanding both the legal complexities and emotional sensitivities these cases entail. We recognize that survivors need more than just legal representation—they need advocates who understand the full impact of their experiences.
Our specialized approach integrates legal strategy with trauma awareness, ensuring that the litigation process supports rather than hinders recovery. We work with a network of medical experts, mental health professionals, and specialized investigators who understand the unique dynamics of sexual violence cases. This multidisciplinary approach allows us to build compelling cases while providing survivors with comprehensive support throughout the legal process. Our attorneys have successfully secured substantial settlements and verdicts for sexual assault survivors, providing financial resources needed for recovery while holding perpetrators and enabling institutions accountable.
Seeking Punitive Damages in Sexual Crimes and Abuse
Beyond compensation for direct damages, Colorado law allows sexual assault survivors to pursue punitive damages in cases involving particularly egregious conduct. These additional damages serve both to punish wrongdoers and deter similar behavior in the future. Our attorneys have extensive experience successfully arguing for punitive damages in sexual assault cases, particularly those involving institutional negligence or repeat offenders.
We meticulously build cases that demonstrate the level of willful and wanton conduct necessary to justify punitive awards under Colorado law. This includes documenting patterns of behavior, institutional knowledge of risks, deliberate concealment of previous incidents, and other factors that elevate the case beyond ordinary negligence. While Colorado places certain statutory caps on punitive damages, exceptions exist for particularly egregious cases. Our comprehensive approach ensures survivors have the opportunity to pursue the full measure of justice available under the law, including these additional damages that acknowledge the deliberate or reckless nature of the harm they suffered.
Reclaim Your Power: Expert Legal Advocates by Your Side
Sexual assault often leaves survivors feeling powerless and voiceless. At Cheney Galluzzi & Howard, we believe the legal process can be part of reclaiming that power when approached with the right support and advocacy. Our attorneys serve as both legal representatives and empowerment partners, ensuring survivors’ voices are heard and their choices respected throughout the legal journey. We understand that meaningful justice looks different for each survivor, and we tailor our approach accordingly.
Our client-centered process begins by listening without judgment and continues with regular communication and collaborative decision-making. We explain every option, potential outcome, and legal strategy in clear, accessible language, ensuring survivors can make informed choices about their cases. Throughout representation, we maintain a dual focus on legal accountability and personal healing, recognizing that these goals often reinforce each other. By providing both fierce advocacy and compassionate support, we help survivors transform their legal experience from one of retraumatization to one of empowerment and validation.
Act Now: Time-Sensitive Civil Case Consultation at No Fees
Sexual assault cases involve critical timing considerations that can significantly impact legal outcomes. Evidence preservation, witness memories, and statutory deadlines all make prompt legal consultation essential. At Cheney Galluzzi & Howard, we offer confidential, no-cost initial consultations to sexual assault survivors, allowing them to understand their legal options without financial pressure or obligation. Our trauma-informed intake process prioritizes survivor comfort and confidentiality.
During these consultations, our attorneys provide clear information about applicable time limitations, evidence preservation needs, and potential legal pathways. We operate on a contingency fee basis for sexual assault cases, meaning survivors pay nothing unless we secure compensation on their behalf. This approach ensures access to quality legal representation regardless of financial circumstances. While we never pressure survivors to pursue legal action before they’re ready, we ensure they have the information needed to make timely decisions about preserving their legal rights.
FAQs About Denver, CO Sexual Assault Laws
What Is the Burden of Proof for Sexual Assault in Colorado?
The burden of proof is a key legal concept in American law. Because of this precept, the prosecution in a case is responsible for proving that the defendant is guilty. It is not the responsibility of the defendant to prove their innocence. Therefore, the burden of proof for the case is on the prosecution. If you are prosecuting someone for sexual assault, you must show beyond a reasonable doubt that the sexual assault has occurred because you have the burden of proof.
How Many Years Do You Get for Sexual Assault in Colorado?
If an individual is found guilty of sexual assault, their charges will depend on the type of case, the severity of the crime, and the details of their circumstances. Because of this, it is difficult to say how many years a person would get if found guilty of sexual assault. If you wish to know what kind of punishment the defendant is facing in your case, speak to an attorney about the unique circumstances of your situation.
What Is the Statute of Limitations on Sexual Assault in Colorado?
The statute of limitations for sexual assault cases is 20 years in Colorado. This means that an individual has two decades to bring a case forward. However, the longer you wait to file your claim, the more evidence will be lost. It is very difficult to prove something that happened 20 years ago without the proper evidence and testing. As soon as you know that you have a sexual assault case, you should contact an attorney and file your claim.
How Often Are Criminal Sexual Abuse Cases Won?
This depends on the circumstances. About 50% of sexual assault incidents involve an arrest. If someone is arrested, there is approximately an 80% chance that they will face charges. Of those 80%, 58% involve conviction. Only about 68% of felony sexual assault scenarios result in jail or prison.
These statistics should not dishearten you. If you have enough evidence, your case has an increased likelihood of succeeding. An attorney can help you determine your odds.
How Much Does a Sexual Assault Lawyer Cost?
The cost depends on the firm and lawyer that you are working with. Many charge hourly, but the hourly rates can range from $200 to $500 depending on the situation. Although some lawyers charge a flat rate, it is less likely in a sexual assault claim than it is in other types of legal matters. Your attorney may charge a percentage of your settlement instead of a flat or hourly rate. It is important to discuss finances with potential attorneys before beginning to build your case.
Contact Us Today
If you or a loved one has experienced sexual assault, contact Cheney Galluzzi & Howard for a confidential, no-cost consultation. Our compassionate legal team is ready to listen, advise, and advocate for your rights.
Phone: (303) 209-9395
Fax: (303) 845-7082
Office Location:
Cheney Galluzzi & Howard LLC
2701 Lawrence St.
Suite 201
Denver, CO 80205
Office Hours:
Monday – Sunday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Free Initial Consultations Available
Online scheduling is available through our website contact form.
Phone consultations offered.
About Denver Colorado
All About Denver
Denver, known as the Mile High City, is the capital and most populous city of Colorado. Located at the eastern edge of the Rocky Mountains, Denver offers a unique blend of urban amenities and outdoor adventures. The city is known for its vibrant arts scene, diverse neighborhoods, extensive park system, and 300+ days of sunshine annually. Denver serves as a major transportation hub with its international airport and interstate highways connecting it to the rest of the country. The city has experienced significant growth in recent decades, attracting young professionals, outdoor enthusiasts, and businesses across various industries.
Highways
- I-25 (Valley Highway) – runs north-south through Denver
- I-70 – runs east-west through Denver
- I-225 – connects I-25 to I-70 through Aurora
- I-270 – connects I-25 to I-70 in north Denver
- US-6 (6th Avenue) – east-west route through Denver
- US-285 (Hampden Avenue) – runs through south Denver
Colleges
- University of Colorado Denver – 1380 Lawrence Street, 80217
- Metropolitan State University of Denver – 890 Auraria Parkway, 80204
- Community College of Denver – 800 Curtis Street, 80204
- University of Denver – 2199 S. University Blvd, 80210
- Regis University – 3333 Regis Boulevard, 80221
- Johnson & Wales University – 7150 Montview Boulevard, 80220
Parks
- City Park – 2001 Colorado Blvd, 80205
- Washington Park – 701 S. Franklin Street, 80209
- Cheesman Park – 1599 E. 8th Avenue, 80218
- Sloan’s Lake Park – 1700 N. Sheridan Blvd, 80212
- Ruby Hill Park – 1200 W. Florida Avenue, 80223
- Berkeley Park – 4601 W. 46th Avenue, 80212
- Confluence Park – 2250 15th Street, 80202
- Central Park – 8801 Martin Luther King Blvd, 80238
- Bible Park – 6802 E. Yale Avenue, 80224
- Civic Center Park – 101 W. 14th Avenue, 80204
Airports
- Denver International Airport – 8500 Peña Blvd, 80249
Lakes and Rivers
- South Platte River – runs through central Denver
- Cherry Creek – tributary of the South Platte River
- Sloan’s Lake – largest lake in Denver
- Berkeley Lake – in northwest Denver
- Rocky Mountain Lake – in northwest Denver
- Smith Lake – in Washington Park
- Ferril Lake – in City Park
Points of Interest
- Denver Art Museum – 100 W 14th Avenue Parkway, 80204
- Denver Botanic Gardens – 1007 York Street, 80206
- Denver Zoo – 2300 Steele Street, 80205
- Red Rocks Amphitheatre – 18300 W Alameda Parkway, 80465
- Colorado State Capitol – 200 E Colfax Avenue, 80203
- Denver Museum of Nature & Science – 2001 Colorado Blvd, 80205
- Union Station – 1701 Wynkoop Street, 80202
- Larimer Square – 1430 Larimer Street, 80202
- 16th Street Mall – 1001 16th Street Mall, 80265
- Coors Field – 2001 Blake Street, 80205
Neighborhoods
- Capitol Hill – central Denver, 80203
- Cherry Creek – upscale shopping district, 80206
- Five Points – historic district, 80205
- Highland – northwest Denver, 80211
- LoDo (Lower Downtown) – historic district, 80202
- RiNo (River North Art District) – northeast Denver, 80205
- Washington Park – south-central Denver, 80209
- Baker – south Denver, 80223
- Park Hill – east Denver, 80207
- Central Park (formerly Stapleton) – northeast Denver, 80238

