But there's been prejudice in the jury box against plaintiffs. A lot of people think that if you go skiing and you get hurt, well, that's just too bad. It's taken a while to overcome the prejudice that every injury sustained is a result of a risk assumed, even if it is sustained as a result of someone's negligence. Chalat added that courts in other states will likely follow the Colorado Supreme Court's lead in allowing skiers and snowboarders to face criminal penalties for blatantly reckless conduct. Colorado leads the nation in this area.
Skiing is a vital part of the Colorado economy.
Our state supreme court takes these cases very seriously and is nationally recognized as a leader in these cases. Other courts will look to its decision as precedent.