Colorado Small Claims Court Continuance: How to Reschedule

What a Continuance Does

A continuance postpones your small claims hearing to a later date. It does not dismiss or cancel the case — the trial is simply rescheduled. In Colorado small claims court, continuances are granted at the judge's or magistrate's discretion, meaning there is no automatic right to one.

If your trial date is approaching and you cannot attend or are not ready, contact the clerk as soon as possible to ask how to request a continuance.

Reasons to Explain in a Continuance Request

The judge or magistrate decides whether to grant a request. Explain the reason you need more time and provide supporting information when available:

• Medical emergency or serious illness — for you or an immediate family member. Bring documentation (a doctor's note, hospital discharge papers) if possible.
• Military deployment or service obligation — active-duty military members have protections under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act.
• Scheduling conflict with another court appearance — if you have a hearing in another court on the same date, provide proof of that conflicting obligation.
• Inability to complete service in time — if the defendant has not been served and the 15-day service deadline is at risk, contact the clerk and ask the court how to proceed under C.R.C.P. Rule 504.
• Need for additional evidence or witnesses — if a key witness is unavailable on the trial date or critical evidence (like a repair estimate or diagnostic report) is not yet ready.

Requests may be harder to explain when based only on:

• Work schedule conflicts that could have been arranged in advance
• General unpreparedness or "I need more time" without specifics
• Vacation plans booked after the trial date was set

How to Request a Continuance

Contact the county court clerk's office as soon as you know you need the postponement and ask how that court requires you to submit a request. The judge or magistrate decides whether to grant it. Do not assume that a request or the other party's agreement changes the trial date unless the court grants the continuance.

Request a continuance as soon as you know you need one. Until the court grants it and notifies you of a new date, plan to appear on the scheduled trial date.

If the Other Side Objects

The opposing party may object to your continuance request. The judge decides — they weigh your reason for the delay against the other party's interest in moving forward. If the judge denies the request, the trial proceeds on the original date.

If you are the plaintiff and do not show up on the trial date without a granted continuance, the court will dismiss your case without prejudice. If you are the defendant and fail to appear after valid service at least 15 days before trial, the court may enter a default judgment against you under C.R.C.P. Rule 515.

What Happens After a Continuance Is Granted

The court sets a new trial date and notifies the parties. Check the notice and ask the clerk whether any additional notice or service is required.

If the case involves mediation, the court may also reschedule the mediation session to align with the new trial date.

Continuances as a Strategy

Defendants sometimes request continuances to delay proceedings, especially when they owe money and want to push the timeline. If you are the plaintiff and the defendant asks for a continuance, you can explain your objection to the court. The judge or magistrate decides whether to grant the request.

As a plaintiff, requesting your own continuance should be a last resort. Every delay pushes your judgment — and your recovery — further out. If the reason is evidence-related (waiting for a repair estimate, tracking down a witness), use the extra time productively.

Our Colorado Small Claims Filing Guide includes a deadline calendar that maps out your service window, mediation date, and trial date — helping you stay prepared and avoid needing a continuance in the first place.

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