HB 1357 - Colorado False Claims Act

• Creates a civil false claims act allowing the state, political subdivisions, and private citizens (relators) to sue for false or fraudulent claims submitted to government entities, with penalties of $5,000-$10,000 plus three times the damages.

• Establishes procedures for private relators to bring actions on behalf of the state or political subdivisions, with relators receiving 15-30% of recovered proceeds depending on the state's level of involvement and the nature of the allegations.

• Provides protections for relators who face retaliation for participating in false claims actions, including remedies such as reinstatement, back pay with interest, contract restoration, and damages.

• Authorizes the Attorney General to issue civil investigative demands requiring persons to produce documents, answer written questions, or provide oral testimony relevant to false claims investigations.

• Directs 2% of false claims recovery proceeds to a health sciences center fund for the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center (excluding cases where the center is a defendant), and appropriates funding for implementation.