One of the things Colorado needs to do is increase the amounts covered in the "homestead protection act".

In many states, your home (more specifically the equity in your home) can not be taken in a civil suit . Colorado protects you for the first $30,000 (although I've read the first $45K also, and that the elderly are covered to the first $90K). Other states have higher levels. I moved from Mass, where the equity in your home is covered for the first $500,000.

What this does, if you have to defend yourself, some POS and his POS lawyer don't go after your home first, in theory making you, and your family homeless. Now they can still garnish wages and net worth, but your home is safe.

When we moved here, we discussed this with our attorney, and he suggested an umbrella insurance policy for $1mm. The cost through our agent was around $200 a year....figuring we already paid over $5000 a year for insurance (home and auto), an umbrella was a no brainer.