How to File a Small Claims Lawsuit in Colorado (2026)
Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team · Colorado · Last updated May 12, 2026
Colorado's Small Claims Division at the County Court level applies a mutual-consent attorney rule under C.R.S. § 13-6-403: lawyers may appear only if the opposing party agrees in writing. The $7,500 ceiling sits mid-pack regionally. Debt instruments carry a 6-year SOL; other written contracts, 3 years. Fees: $31 or $55.
Under Colorado's small claims statute, what is the maximum claim amount?
Under C.R.S. § 13-6-403, Colorado small claims is capped at $7,500 exclusive of interest and costs, with cases heard in the Small Claims Division of the County Court. Claims between $7,500 and $25,000 go on the regular County Court civil docket. Claims above $25,000 must be filed in District Court. The cap was last increased in 2017 by SB 17-128.
What does Colorado's post-judgment collection statute allow?
Under C.R.S. § 13-52-101 and following, Colorado permits writs of execution on non-exempt personal and real property. Wage garnishment under § 13-54.5 is limited to the lesser of 20% of disposable income or 40 times the state minimum wage. Judgments docketed create a 20-year real-property lien. Post-judgment interest accrues at 8% per year, compounded annually, under § 5-12-102.
Are there limits on who can file small claims in Colorado?
Yes. Under C.R.S. § 13-6-407, attorneys may not represent a party in the Small Claims Division unless the opposing party is also represented or appears by attorney. Corporations may appear through an officer, owner, or full-time employee under § 13-6-407.5. Plaintiffs may not bring more than 18 small claims actions per year per court under § 13-6-403(7).
What happens if the defendant does not pay after I win in Colorado?
After the 14-day appeal window under C.R.C.P. 411, you can collect using writs of execution under C.R.S. § 13-52-101 and wage garnishment under § 13-54.5 (capped at the lesser of 20% of disposable income or 40 times state minimum wage). Judgments docketed create a 20-year real-property lien. Post-judgment interest accrues at 8% per year compounded under § 5-12-102.
Colorado small claims at a glance
Colorado small claims court is unusual in that attorneys are presumptively excluded. Under C.R.S. § 13-6-407, no attorney may represent a party in small claims court unless the opposing party is also represented or appears by attorney. Colorado has a split statute of limitations for contract actions: six years for debt or money owed under § 13-80-103.5 (promissory notes, credit contracts), but only three years for other contract claims under § 13-80-101. Motor vehicle personal injury claims uniquely carry a three-year SOL under § 13-80-101(1)(n), a year longer than other negligence claims under § 13-80-102. The Colorado Rules of Small Claims Procedure (Colo. R. Sm. Cl. 501-525) emphasize informality: rules of evidence do not apply, and trials are usually completed in a single hearing.
Filing cost example: $5,500 unpaid invoice
Suppose a client owes you $5,500 on a written services contract. Because the claim is for money owed, the statute of limitations is 6 years under C.R.S. § 13-80-103.5, so you must file within 6 years of the missed payment. Filing fee in the Small Claims Division of County Court is $55 for claims between $500 and $7,500, set by the Colorado Judicial Branch. Sheriff service typically adds $30 to $60 under Colo. R. Sm. Cl. 504, or certified mail with return receipt is available. The trial date typically falls 30 to 60 days after filing. After winning, post-judgment interest accrues at 8% per year compounded annually under § 5-12-102. If the defendant pays in 30 days, you collect $5,500 plus filing and service. If unpaid for 1 year, you are owed roughly $5,940.
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Relevant Documents
Billing Dispute Letter
A formal letter to the company or service provider detailing the nature of the billing dispute, including specific charges being contested, reasons for the dispute, and requested resolution. This document establishes a paper trail of your dispute attempt.
Promissory Note
This document is your written promise to repay the loan according to specific terms. It's often simpler than the full loan agreement but creates a legally binding obligation to repay the borrowed funds.
Wage Withholding Order
This document directs an employer to withhold child support or spousal support payments from a spouse's paycheck.
Local Courthouses
Denver County Court (Civil Division)
1437 Bannock St, Denver, CO 80202
Arapahoe County Court (Centennial)
7325 S Potomac St, Centennial, CO 80112
Jefferson County Court (Golden)
100 Jefferson County Pkwy, Golden, CO 80419
El Paso County Court (Colorado Springs)
270 S Tejon St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Boulder County Court
1777 6th St, Boulder, CO 80302
Relevant Laws
C.R.S. § 13-6-403 (Small Claims Jurisdictional Limit)
Sets the $7,500 small claims jurisdictional limit in the Small Claims Division of the County Court, exclusive of interest and costs.
C.R.S. § 13-80-103.5 and § 13-80-101 (Statute of Limitations: Contracts)
Sets the 6-year SOL for debt actions (promissory notes, contracts for money) and the 3-year SOL for other contract actions.
C.R.S. § 13-6-407 (Attorneys Excluded)
Presumptively excludes attorneys from representing parties in the Small Claims Division unless the opposing party is also represented.
C.R.S. § 5-12-102 (Post-Judgment Interest)
Sets the post-judgment interest rate at 8% per year, compounded annually, on Colorado court judgments.
Colorado Judicial Branch: Small Claims Self-Help
Official Colorado Judicial Branch portal for Small Claims forms, fee schedules, court directory, e-filing, and procedural guides.
Regional Variances
Statute of Limitations for Common Claims in Colorado
Written contract for money (debt)
6 years (C.R.S. § 13-80-103.5)
Other written or oral contract
3 years (C.R.S. § 13-80-101)
Property damage
2 years (C.R.S. § 13-80-102)
Personal injury (general)
2 years (C.R.S. § 13-80-102)
Motor-vehicle personal injury
3 years (C.R.S. § 13-80-101(1)(n))
Suggested Compliance Checklist
Send a demand letter (recommended)
30 days before filing days after startingSend a written demand by certified mail with return receipt. Colorado does not require a demand letter, but Small Claims magistrates expect to see one. Keep a copy and proof of mailing.
Determine applicable SOL (split regime)
Before filing days after startingDebt claims get 6 years under § 13-80-103.5. Other contracts get 3 years under § 13-80-101. Tort gets 2 years under § 13-80-102 (3 years for motor-vehicle PI under § 13-80-101(1)(n)).
Verify claim is within $7,500 limit
Before filing days after startingConfirm your claim is at or below $7,500 exclusive of interest and costs under C.R.S. § 13-6-403. If above, file on the regular County Court civil docket (up to $25,000).
Gather evidence and witnesses
Before filing days after startingCollect contracts, invoices, receipts, photos, texts, emails, and witness contact information. Make three copies of every exhibit for the magistrate, the defendant, and yourself.
File JDF 250 Notice, Claim and Summons via eFiling
Within applicable SOL days after startingFile at the County Court in the county where the defendant lives or where the cause of action arose. Use Colorado Courts eFiling at courts.state.co.us. Pay the $31 or $55 filing fee.
Serve the defendant under Colo. R. Sm. Cl. 504
At least 15 days before trial days after startingService by sheriff or certified mail with Restricted Delivery. File proof of service before trial under Colo. R. Sm. Cl. 506.
Attend the trial with all evidence
30 to 60 days after filing days after startingTrials are public and informal under Colo. R. Sm. Cl. 508. Rules of evidence do not apply. Attorneys participate only if both parties are represented under § 13-6-407. Bring three copies of every document.
Collect the judgment
After 14-day appeal window closes days after startingUse writs of execution under C.R.S. § 13-52-101 and wage garnishment under § 13-54.5. Post-judgment interest accrues at 8% per year compounded annually under § 5-12-102.
| Task | Description | Document | Days after starting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Send a demand letter (recommended) | Send a written demand by certified mail with return receipt. Colorado does not require a demand letter, but Small Claims magistrates expect to see one. Keep a copy and proof of mailing. | demand-letter | 30 days before filing |
| Determine applicable SOL (split regime) | Debt claims get 6 years under § 13-80-103.5. Other contracts get 3 years under § 13-80-101. Tort gets 2 years under § 13-80-102 (3 years for motor-vehicle PI under § 13-80-101(1)(n)). | - | Before filing |
| Verify claim is within $7,500 limit | Confirm your claim is at or below $7,500 exclusive of interest and costs under C.R.S. § 13-6-403. If above, file on the regular County Court civil docket (up to $25,000). | - | Before filing |
| Gather evidence and witnesses | Collect contracts, invoices, receipts, photos, texts, emails, and witness contact information. Make three copies of every exhibit for the magistrate, the defendant, and yourself. | - | Before filing |
| File JDF 250 Notice, Claim and Summons via eFiling | File at the County Court in the county where the defendant lives or where the cause of action arose. Use Colorado Courts eFiling at courts.state.co.us. Pay the $31 or $55 filing fee. | - | Within applicable SOL |
| Serve the defendant under Colo. R. Sm. Cl. 504 | Service by sheriff or certified mail with Restricted Delivery. File proof of service before trial under Colo. R. Sm. Cl. 506. | - | At least 15 days before trial |
| Attend the trial with all evidence | Trials are public and informal under Colo. R. Sm. Cl. 508. Rules of evidence do not apply. Attorneys participate only if both parties are represented under § 13-6-407. Bring three copies of every document. | - | 30 to 60 days after filing |
| Collect the judgment | Use writs of execution under C.R.S. § 13-52-101 and wage garnishment under § 13-54.5. Post-judgment interest accrues at 8% per year compounded annually under § 5-12-102. | - | After 14-day appeal window closes |
Frequently Asked Questions
Filing fees in the Small Claims Division are $31 for claims up to $500 and $55 for claims between $500 and $7,500, set by the Colorado Judicial Branch. Sheriff service adds $30 to $60, or certified mail with return receipt is available. Indigent filers can file a Motion to File Without Payment of Filing Fee (JDF 205) for waiver under C.R.S. § 13-16-103.
Under C.R.S. § 13-6-407, no attorney may represent a party in the Small Claims Division unless the opposing party is also represented or appears by attorney. The rule is designed to keep small claims informal and accessible to pro se litigants. If a defendant brings an attorney, the plaintiff gains the right to bring one too.
Colorado has a split SOL. Debt claims (promissory notes, contracts for money) get 6 years under C.R.S. § 13-80-103.5. Other contracts get 3 years under § 13-80-101. Property damage and most personal injury get 2 years under § 13-80-102. Motor-vehicle personal injury gets 3 years under § 13-80-101(1)(n).
Yes. Corporations, LLCs, and partnerships can sue or be sued in the Small Claims Division subject to the $7,500 cap. Under C.R.S. § 13-6-407.5, corporations may appear through an officer, owner, or full-time employee without an attorney. Plaintiffs may not bring more than 18 small claims actions per year per court under § 13-6-403(7).
Yes. Either party can appeal a Colorado Small Claims judgment to the District Court under C.R.C.P. 411. The Notice of Appeal must be filed within 14 days of the judgment. Appeals are on the record, not de novo, so a transcript is required. An appeal bond equal to the judgment plus costs is typically required to stay collection.
Under Colo. R. Sm. Cl. 504, service is by sheriff service or certified mail with return receipt requested. Sheriff service typically costs $30 to $60. Certified mail must be marked Restricted Delivery to the defendant. Service must be completed at least 15 days before the trial date. File proof of service with the court before trial.
Yes. Colorado Courts eFiling at courts.state.co.us accepts electronic filings for County Court Small Claims Division cases statewide. Pro se litigants can register for a Self-Represented Litigant account. The system handles the JDF 250 Notice, Claim and Summons, fee payment, and service requests. Paper filing remains available in person.