13-21-106.5. Civil damages for destruction or bodily injury caused by a bias-motivated crime

13-21-106.5. Civil damages for destruction or bodily injury caused by a bias-motivated crime. (1) The victim, or a member of the victim's immediate family, is entitled to recover damages from any person, organization, or association that commits or incites others to commit the offense of a bias-motivated crime as described in section 18-9-121 (2), C.R.S. Such person, organization, or association shall be civilly liable to the victim or a member of the victim's immediate family for the actual damages, costs, and expenses incurred in connection with said action. For purposes of this section, "immediate family" includes the victim's spouse and the victim's parent, sibling, or child who is living with the victim.

(2) A conviction for a criminal bias-motivated crime pursuant to section 18-9-121, C.R.S., shall not be a condition precedent to maintaining a civil action pursuant to the provisions of this section.

(3) In any civil action brought pursuant to this section in which damages are assessed by a jury, upon proof of the knowledge and intent described in section 18-9-121 (2), C.R.S., in addition to the actual damages, the jury may award punitive damages. Said punitive damages shall not be subject to the limitations in section 13-21-102 or section 13-21-102.5.