Colorado Small Claims Court (2026): Limit, Fees and How to File
How small claims court works in Colorado: the dollar limit, filing fees, serving the other side, the hearing, appeals and collecting your money — each answer linked to the court rule or statute.
Quick answers for Colorado
- Small claims limit
- $7,500, exclusive of interest and costs (including civil penalties). The same limit applies to replevin, contract specific-performance or rescission, restrictive covenant and HOA assessment actions. A claim larger than $7,500 cannot be split; a plaintiff who sues for more can collect only $7,500. C.R.S. § 13-6-403(1); Colorado Judicial Branch, Opening a Case (small claims)
- Filing fee
- Claim: $31 (claims of $500 or less) or $55 (over $500). Response: $26 or $41. Response with counterclaim: $31 or $46. Fees may be waived (JDF 205/206), and people on certain public assistance may qualify automatically (JDF 209). JDF 248, Guide to Small Claims (rev. Dec. 14, 2023)
- Are lawyers allowed?
- Generally no. Individuals represent themselves and businesses appear through an officer, partner, member or full-time employee; an attorney may appear only in those roles, pro se, or as allowed by Supreme Court rule. If an attorney does appear, the other side may also use a lawyer. In security deposit and landlord-tenant damage cases, a property manager who handled the deposit, rent or lease may represent the owner. C.R.S. § 13-6-407(2), (4)
- Appeals
- Either party may appeal to the district court under county court appeal rules, with the right to counsel. Notice of appeal and an appeal bond must be filed in the county court within 14 days after judgment. The appeal is decided on the record (a recording of the trial serves as the transcript); the district court may order a new trial. C.R.S. §§ 13-6-410, 13-6-310, 13-6-311(1)(a)
Court: County Court (small claims division). Last verified: 2026-10-24.
How to file a small claims case in Colorado
- Confirm your claim is $7,500 or less and is not an eviction or other excluded case.
- Complete JDF 250 (Notice, Claim and Summons) and file it at the county court clerk's counter in the proper county, paying $31 or $55 or requesting a fee waiver.
- The clerk sets the trial date; have each defendant served by sheriff or process server (or by the clerk's certified mail) at least 15 days before trial.
- The defendant may file a response and any counterclaim on JDF 250 on or before the trial date.
- Consider mediation through the Office of Dispute Resolution; if you settle, file a Stipulation (JDF 75).
- Prepare numbered exhibits with copies for the judge and other side, and subpoena any witness who will not come voluntarily (JDF 254).
- Either party may appeal to district court within 14 days of judgment; otherwise, the winner collects through interrogatories, garnishment or a judgment lien.
Can you use small claims court?
| Small claims limit | $7,500, exclusive of interest and costs (including civil penalties). The same limit applies to replevin, contract specific-performance or rescission, restrictive covenant and HOA assessment actions. A claim larger than $7,500 cannot be split; a plaintiff who sues for more can collect only $7,500. Small claims cannot hear forcible entry, forcible or unlawful detainer (eviction), libel or slander, class actions or most injunction cases (C.R.S. § 13-6-403(2)). |
|---|---|
| Who can file | Any natural person, corporation, partnership, association or other organization may sue or defend, but an assignee or anyone not a real party to the transaction (such as a collection agency) cannot file, except a court-appointed personal representative, conservator or guardian. A plaintiff may file no more than 2 claims per month and 18 per year in a county's small claims court. Source: C.R.S. §§ 13-6-407(1), 13-6-411 |
| Are lawyers allowed? | Generally no. Individuals represent themselves and businesses appear through an officer, partner, member or full-time employee; an attorney may appear only in those roles, pro se, or as allowed by Supreme Court rule. If an attorney does appear, the other side may also use a lawyer. In security deposit and landlord-tenant damage cases, a property manager who handled the deposit, rent or lease may represent the owner. Parties may hire an attorney for mediation, and either party may use counsel after judgment and on appeal. Source: C.R.S. § 13-6-407(2), (4) |
Filing your case
| Where to file | In the county where any defendant lives, is regularly employed, is a student at a college or university, or has a business office. Security deposit, landlord-tenant property damage and restrictive covenant cases may also be filed where the property is located. Source: C.R.S. § 13-6-411.5 |
|---|---|
| Official forms | Colorado small claims cases are started with JDF 250, Small Claims Notice and Summons, which is also available in Spanish and several other languages. File the completed JDF 250 at the clerk's counter in the county courthouse. Filing: https://www.coloradojudicial.gov/self-help/opening-case |
| Filing fee | Claim: $31 (claims of $500 or less) or $55 (over $500). Response: $26 or $41. Response with counterclaim: $31 or $46. Fees may be waived (JDF 205/206), and people on certain public assistance may qualify automatically (JDF 209). |
| Filing online | Not available to self-represented small claims filers; the court e-filing system for non-attorneys is limited to domestic relations and eviction cases. Small claims are filed at the county courthouse clerk's counter. |
| Serving the defendant | Each defendant must be served at least 15 days before trial, either by personal service (sheriff or professional process server, not the plaintiff) with the Return of Service filed with the court, or by certified mail sent by the clerk (plaintiff pays the mailing cost; not the preferred method). |
Before and at the hearing
| When the hearing happens | The clerk sets the trial date when the claim is filed and schedules mediation and trial as quickly as possible, though it can take several months in some cases. |
|---|---|
| Does the defendant file an answer? | A written response is optional. A defendant who responds completes the Response section of JDF 250 on or before the trial date and pays the response fee; a defendant who does not respond must still attend mediation and trial. |
| Counterclaims | A defendant may file a counterclaim on JDF 250 with the response fee. Counterclaims exceeding the $7,500 limit are removed to county or district court. If that court finds the counterclaim was filed only to defeat small claims jurisdiction and lacked merit, it may award the plaintiff costs and reasonable attorney fees. Source: C.R.S. § 13-6-408; JDF 248 |
| Mediation | The court may order mediation, or the parties can choose it. Low-cost mediation is available through the Colorado Office of Dispute Resolution; an agreement is filed as a Stipulation (JDF 75). |
| Jury trial | No. There is no right to a jury trial in small claims court. Source: C.R.S. § 13-6-414 |
| Interpreters | The Judicial Branch provides language access at no cost regardless of the language spoken; request an interpreter through the court's Office of Language Access request page. |
After the decision
| Appeals | Either party may appeal to the district court under county court appeal rules, with the right to counsel. Notice of appeal and an appeal bond must be filed in the county court within 14 days after judgment. The appeal is decided on the record (a recording of the trial serves as the transcript); the district court may order a new trial. |
|---|---|
| Collecting your judgment | The court does not collect for you. Collection works the same as in county court civil cases: the debtor can be required to answer interrogatories (JDF 252A/252B) within 14 days, wages and bank accounts can be garnished, and a Transcript of Judgment ($25) can be recorded as a lien on the debtor's real property. A county court judgment expires after 6 years unless extended. |
Deadline to sue
6 years for all actions for arrears of rent and for recovering a liquidated or determinable amount of money due. This applies to unpaid rent under a written or oral lease. Other contract claims, such as many damage claims, have 3 years unless the 6-year section applies. C.R.S. § 13-80-103.5(1)(a)-(b); § 13-80-101(1)(a)
Official forms and help
Suing a landlord or tenant in Colorado
Security deposit and landlord-tenant property damage claims are common; they may be filed in the county where the rental property is located, and a property manager who handled the deposit, rent or lease may represent the owner. Evictions (forcible entry and detainer) cannot be heard in small claims.
- Colorado security deposit demand letter (send before you sue)
- Colorado security deposit law
- Tenant lawyers and free legal aid in Colorado
Colorado small claims FAQ
What is the small claims limit in Colorado?
$7,500, exclusive of interest and costs (including civil penalties). The same limit applies to replevin, contract specific-performance or rescission, restrictive covenant and HOA assessment actions. A claim larger than $7,500 cannot be split; a plaintiff who sues for more can collect only $7,500.
Who can file a small claims case in Colorado?
Any natural person, corporation, partnership, association or other organization may sue or defend, but an assignee or anyone not a real party to the transaction (such as a collection agency) cannot file, except a court-appointed personal representative, conservator or guardian. A plaintiff may file no more than 2 claims per month and 18 per year in a county's small claims court.
Can you bring a lawyer to small claims court in Colorado?
Generally no. Individuals represent themselves and businesses appear through an officer, partner, member or full-time employee; an attorney may appear only in those roles, pro se, or as allowed by Supreme Court rule. If an attorney does appear, the other side may also use a lawyer. In security deposit and landlord-tenant damage cases, a property manager who handled the deposit, rent or lease may represent the owner.
Where do I file a small claims case in Colorado?
In the county where any defendant lives, is regularly employed, is a student at a college or university, or has a business office. Security deposit, landlord-tenant property damage and restrictive covenant cases may also be filed where the property is located.
How much does it cost to file in small claims court in Colorado?
Claim: $31 (claims of $500 or less) or $55 (over $500). Response: $26 or $41. Response with counterclaim: $31 or $46. Fees may be waived (JDF 205/206), and people on certain public assistance may qualify automatically (JDF 209).
How do I serve the other side in a Colorado small claims case?
Each defendant must be served at least 15 days before trial, either by personal service (sheriff or professional process server, not the plaintiff) with the Return of Service filed with the court, or by certified mail sent by the clerk (plaintiff pays the mailing cost; not the preferred method).
How long does a small claims case take in Colorado?
The clerk sets the trial date when the claim is filed and schedules mediation and trial as quickly as possible, though it can take several months in some cases.
Does a defendant have to file an answer in Colorado small claims court?
A written response is optional. A defendant who responds completes the Response section of JDF 250 on or before the trial date and pays the response fee; a defendant who does not respond must still attend mediation and trial.
Can the defendant file a counterclaim in Colorado small claims court?
A defendant may file a counterclaim on JDF 250 with the response fee. Counterclaims exceeding the $7,500 limit are removed to county or district court. If that court finds the counterclaim was filed only to defeat small claims jurisdiction and lacked merit, it may award the plaintiff costs and reasonable attorney fees.
Is there a jury in Colorado small claims court?
No. There is no right to a jury trial in small claims court.
Can you appeal a small claims decision in Colorado?
Either party may appeal to the district court under county court appeal rules, with the right to counsel. Notice of appeal and an appeal bond must be filed in the county court within 14 days after judgment. The appeal is decided on the record (a recording of the trial serves as the transcript); the district court may order a new trial.
How do I collect a small claims judgment in Colorado?
The court does not collect for you. Collection works the same as in county court civil cases: the debtor can be required to answer interrogatories (JDF 252A/252B) within 14 days, wages and bank accounts can be garnished, and a Transcript of Judgment ($25) can be recorded as a lien on the debtor's real property. A county court judgment expires after 6 years unless extended.
Is mediation required in Colorado small claims court?
The court may order mediation, or the parties can choose it. Low-cost mediation is available through the Colorado Office of Dispute Resolution; an agreement is filed as a Stipulation (JDF 75).
Can I file a small claims case online in Colorado?
Not available to self-represented small claims filers; the court e-filing system for non-attorneys is limited to domestic relations and eviction cases. Small claims are filed at the county courthouse clerk's counter.
Can I get an interpreter in Colorado small claims court?
The Judicial Branch provides language access at no cost regardless of the language spoken; request an interpreter through the court's Office of Language Access request page.
Where can I get small claims court forms in Colorado?
Colorado small claims cases are started with JDF 250, Small Claims Notice and Summons, which is also available in Spanish and several other languages. File the completed JDF 250 at the clerk's counter in the county courthouse.
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