Winter in Denver brings cold temperatures, heavy snow, icy sidewalks and slick entryways. While these conditions are expected, that does not mean businesses are free from responsibility. Visitors, customers and guests have a right to expect reasonably safe conditions when they enter a store, restaurant, office, parking lot or any other commercial property. When a business fails to address winter hazards or other dangerous conditions, serious injuries can occur.

Colorado law recognizes that businesses owe a legal duty to keep their premises safe for the people they invite inside. Understanding when a business may be liable for a slip and fall injury helps injured victims take the right steps to protect their rights, especially during the winter season when hazards are most common.

What Duty Do Businesses Owe to Their Customers?

Businesses that open their doors to the public have a legal obligation to maintain their property in a reasonably safe condition. This includes identifying hazards, fixing them in a timely manner and warning visitors when the danger cannot be addressed immediately. When snow or ice accumulates, or when spills occur inside a building, the business must take action to reduce the risk of harm.

In Colorado, customers are considered “invitees,” meaning the business benefits from the visitor’s presence. Because of this, the property owner or operator must take active steps to inspect the premises and correct unsafe conditions. If they knew about the danger or should have known about it, they may be legally responsible for injuries that occur. Some examples of conditions that may violate this duty include the following:

• Unremoved snow on walkways or steps leading to the entrance
• Ice patches in parking lots that were not treated or marked
• Wet floors near the entrance from melting snow
• Slippery interior surfaces caused by spills or leaks

This legal duty is especially important during Denver winters, when weather-related hazards are more frequent and often more severe.

How Snow and Ice Create Liability for Businesses

Winter conditions can be unpredictable, and businesses are expected to respond reasonably to changing weather. Liability arises when a business fails to take steps that a reasonably careful property owner would take in the same circumstances. While businesses cannot prevent snow from falling, they can take measures to reduce risks before someone gets hurt.

Slip and fall incidents caused by untreated winter hazards often involve one or more of the following issues:

• Failure to shovel sidewalks or clear entryways within a reasonable time
• Lack of ice melt or inadequate application of salt or sand
• Poor lighting that prevents customers from seeing icy patches
• No warning signs placed near known hazards

Businesses should monitor weather forecasts, respond promptly to snowfall and regularly inspect their walkways and entrances. Ignoring these responsibilities can make them liable when someone slips on ice or snow. Even if a storm is ongoing, businesses must still act reasonably, such as applying temporary treatments or placing clear warnings.

Common Indoor Hazards That Lead to Winter Slip and Fall Injuries

Winter hazards do not stop at the door. Melting snow from shoes and boots often collects inside entrances, forming slippery puddles or wet mats that easily shift under a customer’s feet. Businesses must be proactive about addressing these risks because indoor slips are just as dangerous as those occurring outside.

Examples of winter-related indoor dangers include:

• Pooled water near the entrance where snow has melted
• Wet tiles that become extremely slick without rubber mats
• Soaked floor mats that bunch up or slide out of place
• Leaking roofs or door frames that allow additional water to accumulate

Regular inspections, prompt cleanup and proper use of mats can help prevent these incidents. When businesses neglect these steps, they may be held responsible for injuries caused by hazardous indoor conditions.

How an Injured Visitor Can Strengthen Their Slip and Fall Claim

If you suffer a slip and fall injury on business property, your actions after the incident can influence the strength of your claim. Taking the right steps helps preserve evidence and shows how the dangerous condition affected you. While your health should always come first, documenting the situation can make a meaningful difference.

Key steps injured victims often take include the following:

• Reporting the incident to the business immediately
• Photographing the area where the fall occurred
• Keeping the clothing and shoes worn at the time of the accident
• Seeking prompt medical treatment for injuries
• Gathering contact information from witnesses who saw the fall

A detailed record of what happened makes it easier to demonstrate that the business failed to address or warn about the hazard. When businesses deny responsibility, well-documented evidence can support your right to compensation for medical bills, lost income and other losses.

How Our Attorneys Help Slip and Fall Victims

Slip and fall cases can be complex, particularly when winter conditions are involved. Businesses and insurance carriers often argue that the weather was unavoidable or that the visitor was at fault. Our premises liability attorneys understand these challenges and know how to build strong claims for injured victims.

We investigate the conditions that led to the fall, gather evidence, consult experts when necessary and work to show how the business failed to act reasonably. You can learn more about the support we offer by visiting our premises liability attorneys page, where we explain how we assist individuals harmed by unsafe property conditions.

If you or someone you care about has been injured in a slip and fall on business property, especially during Denver’s harsh winter months, our team is ready to help you move forward. You can contact us today to discuss the situation and take the next steps toward recovering the compensation you deserve.