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Filing Bankruptcy in Colorado: Means Test, Exemptions and Courts

Bankruptcy in Colorado: the means-test median income, which exemptions you can use, homestead, car and wildcard exemptions, retirement protection and the bankruptcy court.

Quick answers for Colorado

Means test median income
1 person: $87,940; 2 people: $109,497; 3 people: $130,850; 4 people: $153,501; add $11,100 for each additional person over 4. U.S. Trustee Program, Census Bureau Median Family Income By Family Size (Cases Filed On or After July 15, 2026)
State or federal exemptions
Colorado filers must use Colorado's exemptions. The federal 522(d) exemptions "are denied to residents of this state," and exemptions are limited to those expressly provided by Colorado statutes. C.R.S. 13-54-107
Homestead exemption
$250,000 in equity if the home is occupied by the owner or the owner's family; $350,000 if occupied by an owner, spouse or dependent who is elderly (60 or older) or disabled. C.R.S. 38-41-201(1)-(2)
Bankruptcy court
Colorado is a single federal district: the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Colorado (https://www.cob.uscourts.gov). U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Colorado website

Last verified: 2026-10-27

Qualifying for Chapter 7

Means test median income1 person: $87,940; 2 people: $109,497; 3 people: $130,850; 4 people: $153,501; add $11,100 for each additional person over 4. These figures apply to bankruptcy cases filed on or after July 15, 2026 (the Census median income data was last updated for cases filed on or after April 1, 2026).
The U.S. Trustee updates this table periodically; check https://www.justice.gov/ust/means-testing for the table in effect on the filing date. The table's one-person column is labeled "1 EARNER." Income at or below the median for the household size generally means the Chapter 7 means test's further calculations are not required.
Source: U.S. Trustee Program, Census Bureau Median Family Income By Family Size (Cases Filed On or After July 15, 2026)

What you can keep (exemptions)

State or federal exemptionsColorado filers must use Colorado's exemptions. The federal 522(d) exemptions "are denied to residents of this state," and exemptions are limited to those expressly provided by Colorado statutes.
Source: C.R.S. 13-54-107
Homestead exemption$250,000 in equity if the home is occupied by the owner or the owner's family; $350,000 if occupied by an owner, spouse or dependent who is elderly (60 or older) or disabled.
No acreage limit is stated.
Source: C.R.S. 38-41-201(1)-(2)
Car exemptionUp to two motor vehicles or bicycles, $15,000 in aggregate value; $25,000 if used by a debtor, spouse or dependent who is elderly or disabled. Does not cover snowmobiles, ATVs, golf carts, boats, travel trailers or motor homes.
Source: C.R.S. 13-54-102(1)(j)
Wildcard exemptionNone. Colorado's exemption list (C.R.S. 13-54-102) covers specific property types; it has no general exemption for property of the filer's choosing.
Source: C.R.S. 13-54-102(1)
Retirement accountsProperty and funds held in or payable from any pension or retirement plan, deferred compensation plan and health savings account are exempt, including ERISA plans, IRAs, Roth IRAs and 26 U.S.C. 401 plans.
Retirement benefits remain reachable for certain child support and restitution judgments (13-54-102(3)).
Source: C.R.S. 13-54-102(1)(s)
WagesFor most debts, no more than the lesser of 20% of weekly disposable earnings or the amount above 40 times the federal (or, if higher, state or local) minimum hourly wage can be garnished, so at least 80% is protected.
Source: C.R.S. 13-54-104(2)(a)(I)

Where and how to file

Bankruptcy courtColorado is a single federal district: the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Colorado (https://www.cob.uscourts.gov).
Source: U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Colorado website
Filing without a lawyerThe court has a "Filing Without an Attorney" section, including a Guide to Filing Bankruptcy, free legal help listings, information on bankruptcy petition preparers, Zoom creditor meetings, eSR petition software, and a link to a free bankruptcy clinic run with the Colorado Bar Association.
Free clinic link: http://cobar.org/bankruptcy
Source: U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Colorado home page
Standard Chapter 13 lawyer feeDistrict of Colorado (the state's only bankruptcy district): General Procedure Order 2021-01, issued under L.B.R. 2016-3, sets the presumptively reasonable fee allowance at $4,500 ("PRF amount") as a total fee (including expenses), applicable to all cases filed on or after May 1, 2021. The PRF amount includes all costs incurred through confirmation; costs in excess of $200 are considered extraordinary and may be sought by Supplemental Fee Application.
L.B.R. 2016-3 (presumptively reasonable fee application procedure): https://www.cob.uscourts.gov/content/lbr-2016-3-compensation-chapter-13-debtor%E2%80%99s-attorney
Source: U.S. Bankruptcy Court, D. Colo., General Procedure Order 2021-01, In the Matter of Chapter 13 Fee (effective May 1, 2021); L.B.R. 2016-3

Bankruptcy FAQ

Which bankruptcy court do I file in for Colorado?
Colorado is a single federal district: the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Colorado (https://www.cob.uscourts.gov).
What is the bankruptcy means test income limit in Colorado?
1 person: $87,940; 2 people: $109,497; 3 people: $130,850; 4 people: $153,501; add $11,100 for each additional person over 4. These figures apply to bankruptcy cases filed on or after July 15, 2026 (the Census median income data was last updated for cases filed on or after April 1, 2026).
Can you use the federal bankruptcy exemptions in Colorado?
Colorado filers must use Colorado's exemptions. The federal 522(d) exemptions "are denied to residents of this state," and exemptions are limited to those expressly provided by Colorado statutes.
How much home equity is protected in bankruptcy in Colorado?
$250,000 in equity if the home is occupied by the owner or the owner's family; $350,000 if occupied by an owner, spouse or dependent who is elderly (60 or older) or disabled.
Can I keep my car in bankruptcy in Colorado?
Up to two motor vehicles or bicycles, $15,000 in aggregate value; $25,000 if used by a debtor, spouse or dependent who is elderly or disabled. Does not cover snowmobiles, ATVs, golf carts, boats, travel trailers or motor homes.
Does Colorado have a wildcard exemption?
None. Colorado's exemption list (C.R.S. 13-54-102) covers specific property types; it has no general exemption for property of the filer's choosing.
Are retirement accounts protected in bankruptcy in Colorado?
Property and funds held in or payable from any pension or retirement plan, deferred compensation plan and health savings account are exempt, including ERISA plans, IRAs, Roth IRAs and 26 U.S.C. 401 plans.
Are wages protected in bankruptcy in Colorado?
For most debts, no more than the lesser of 20% of weekly disposable earnings or the amount above 40 times the federal (or, if higher, state or local) minimum hourly wage can be garnished, so at least 80% is protected.
Can I file bankruptcy without a lawyer in Colorado?
The court has a "Filing Without an Attorney" section, including a Guide to Filing Bankruptcy, free legal help listings, information on bankruptcy petition preparers, Zoom creditor meetings, eSR petition software, and a link to a free bankruptcy clinic run with the Colorado Bar Association.
How much does a Chapter 13 bankruptcy lawyer cost in Colorado?
District of Colorado (the state's only bankruptcy district): General Procedure Order 2021-01, issued under L.B.R. 2016-3, sets the presumptively reasonable fee allowance at $4,500 ("PRF amount") as a total fee (including expenses), applicable to all cases filed on or after May 1, 2021. The PRF amount includes all costs incurred through confirmation; costs in excess of $200 are considered extraordinary and may be sought by Supplemental Fee Application.

Bankruptcy in other states

More Colorado law

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.