Small claims court in Colorado (2026)
In Colorado you can sue for up to $7,500 in small claims. Court: Small claims division of the County Court. Lawyers: limited. Appeal: either side, 14 days. For a broken written agreement you generally have 3 years to sue. Last checked .
Colorado small claims at a glance
- Most you can sue for
- $7,500
- Court
- Small claims division of the County Court
- Filing fee
- $31–$55
- Lawyers
- Limited
- Appeal
- Either side, 14 days
Can you sue in Colorado small claims?
Enter the amount and the date it happened. Nothing you type leaves your browser.
Colorado small claims limit
$7,500
Enter the amount to compare it with the limit.
The rule: Up to $7,500, not counting interest and costs (civil penalties count). You can file for more but only collect $7,500, and you cannot split a larger claim. A plaintiff may file no more than 2 claims a month and 18 a year in any one county. Also covers HOA assessment disputes, restrictive covenants, replevin and contract specific performance up to $7,500. Not for libel/slander, evictions, traffic or criminal matters.
Deadline to sue (general rule)
3 years for this kind of claim in Colorado. Enter the date it happened to see the last day.
Contract actions (including UCC): 3 years, but actions to recover a liquidated debt or a determinable amount of money, and rent arrears, have 6 years. Tort actions, including personal injury and property damage: 2 years, except motor-vehicle injury or damage: 3 years.
Lawyers: Lawyers can take part only in limited cases.
Collectors: a company that bought or was assigned the debt can't use small claims court in Colorado.
Appeal: File a notice of appeal within 14 days of the judgment and proceed under C.R.C.P. 411. Small claims proceedings are recorded; the appeal is a review of the recording by a district court judge, not a new trial. No motion for new trial in small claims.
Filing fee: Statewide: $31 for claims of $500 or less; $55 for claims over $500 up to $7,500. Defendant's response is $26 or $41 ($31 or $46 with a counterclaim). Fee waivers via JDF 205.
The deadline shown is the general statute of limitations counted from the date you entered. The real deadline can be later (for example when the problem was discovered later or the other side left the state) or earlier (a contract can shorten it, and claims against a government agency often need a written notice first, on a much shorter clock). If you are close to it, file now or ask a legal aid office. This is legal information, not legal advice.
Where to file and how much
- Court. Small claims are heard in county court by a magistrate (or a judge on timely request). File in the county where any defendant lives, works, is a student, or has a business office; restrictive-covenant and security-deposit cases may be filed where the property is.
- Limit. Up to $7,500, not counting interest and costs (civil penalties count). You can file for more but only collect $7,500, and you cannot split a larger claim. A plaintiff may file no more than 2 claims a month and 18 a year in any one county. Also covers HOA assessment disputes, restrictive covenants, replevin and contract specific performance up to $7,500. Not for libel/slander, evictions, traffic or criminal matters.
- Filing fee. Statewide: $31 for claims of $500 or less; $55 for claims over $500 up to $7,500. Defendant's response is $26 or $41 ($31 or $46 with a counterclaim). Fee waivers via JDF 205.
Who can sue and who can speak in court
- Individuals represent themselves; a for-profit corporation appears through a full-time officer or employee, a partnership through a general partner or full-time employee. Lawyers may appear only if the defendant gives written notice (JDF 256) at least 7 days before trial, after which the plaintiff may also have one, or if a party is a lawyer. Assignees and others not party to the transaction may not file.
- A collection agency or anyone who was assigned or bought the claim can't file it in small claims.
- Before you file. The official guides reviewed do not require a demand for payment before filing. Claims against a government agency may first need written notice under C.R.S. 24-10-109.
- Jury and moving the case. There is no right to a jury trial in small claims. A defendant whose counterclaim exceeds $7,500 can move the case to a higher court by filing a Notice of Removal (JDF 251) at least 7 days before trial and paying that court's fee.
How long you have to sue in Colorado
The general statute of limitations, counted from the day the agreement was broken or the damage happened. Contract actions (including UCC): 3 years, but actions to recover a liquidated debt or a determinable amount of money, and rent arrears, have 6 years. Tort actions, including personal injury and property damage: 2 years, except motor-vehicle injury or damage: 3 years.
| Kind of claim | Time to sue |
|---|---|
| Written contract | 3 years |
| Oral (spoken) agreement | 3 years |
| Damage to property | 2 years |
| Personal injury | 2 years |
Law: C.R.S. 13-80-101(1)(a), (n); 13-80-102(1)(a); 13-80-103.5(1)(a)-(b)
After the hearing: appeals and collecting
- Who can appeal
- Either side can appeal.
- Kind of appeal
- Review of the record (no new trial)
- Deadline
- File a notice of appeal within 14 days of the judgment and proceed under C.R.C.P. 411. Small claims proceedings are recorded; the appeal is a review of the recording by a district court judge, not a new trial. No motion for new trial in small claims.
- Collecting the money
- The court does not collect. If unpaid, the debtor must answer interrogatories about assets (Form 252), and the winner can get a writ of garnishment or execution against wages or property (see JDF 82, Guide to Collecting a Judgment). The court's handbook says judgments are valid for at least six years.
Good to know in Colorado
- The court may order mediation before trial.
- Service must be completed at least 15 calendar days before trial.
- Either side can ask for a judge instead of a magistrate by filing JDF 259 at least 7 days before trial.
- Statute text checked in the Colorado Revised Statutes 2024 printout from the General Assembly.
Official help and forms
- Colorado courts: small claims self-help
- Colorado small claims forms
- Write a demand letter before you file (free, stays in your browser)
Sources
- Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, Title 13 (Colorado General Assembly, Office of Legislative Legal Services) (read October 18, 2026)
- Small Claims: Opening a Case (Colorado Judicial Branch) (read October 18, 2026)
- JDF 248 Guide to Small Claims (read October 18, 2026)
- JDF 250 Notice, Claim and Summons to Appear for Trial (read October 18, 2026)
- Colorado Small Claims Rules (C.R.C.P. 501-521) (read October 18, 2026)
- Small Claims Handbook (Colorado Judicial Branch) (read October 18, 2026)
- Official source (verifier) (read October 18, 2026)
Court information, not legal advice. Limits and fees change — confirm with the court before you file. How we check: methodology.
More for Colorado
- BenefitsSNAP income limitsGross income limit: 200% of the federal poverty line
- BenefitsMedicaid & CHIP income limitsMedicaid: Expanded: adults up to 138% of poverty
- RentingSecurity depositsDeposit back within: 30 days (see details)
- RentingBreaking a leaseTenant notice (month-to-month): 21 days, ending with a rental period
- RentingEviction noticesUnpaid rent notice: 10 days (pay or move out)
- RentingRepairsTime to repair: 14 days; urgent: 24 hours
- RentingRent increasesNotice before a rent increase: 60 days
- UnemploymentUnemployment benefitsWeekly benefit: $25–$884, up to 26 weeks
- Cost of livingChildcare costsCounties with prices: 64