How Long Does Small Claims Court Take in Colorado?

The Minimum Time to Trial

Colorado county courts must schedule the initial small claims trial no less than 30 calendar days after the clerk issues the summons, under C.R.C.P. Rule 502(c). The actual time to trial depends on the court's calendar, so this minimum is not a forecast of when your case will finish.

The time between filing and your hearing date can be longer. The full timeline starts earlier and can stretch longer.

Before You File: The Demand Letter Phase

Many Colorado claims begin with a written demand letter. Security deposit disputes require one — C.R.S. § 38-12-103 mandates a 7-day demand notice before you can seek treble damages. Even when a demand letter is not legally required, sending one often resolves the dispute without court involvement at all.

For a security deposit claim seeking treble damages, the written demand must give the landlord seven calendar days from receipt to return the deposit. Add time for delivery before counting that period.

Filing Through Service

Once you file Form JDF 250 at the county court clerk's counter and pay the filing fee ($31 for claims up to $500, $55 for claims between $500.01 and $7,500), the clerk stamps your summons and assigns a trial date.

You then have a deadline: service must be completed at least 15 calendar days before trial under C.R.C.P. Rule 504. Options include sheriff service, a licensed private process server, a disinterested adult, or certified mail through the clerk. Certified-mail service is complete only when the clerk receives the signed return-receipt card bearing the defendant's signature.

Mediation: Same Day or Separate Session

Colorado courts strongly emphasize mediation for small claims disputes under C.R.S. § 13-22-301. Some courts schedule mediation on the morning of trial. Others set a separate mediation date weeks before the hearing.

If both parties reach a settlement during mediation, they sign a stipulation on Form JDF 75 and the trial is cancelled. This can cut your total timeline by weeks compared to going through a full hearing.

The Hearing and Judgment

Hearing length depends on the case and the court's schedule. The judge or magistrate may issue an oral ruling at the hearing or take the matter under advisement and issue a written judgment later.

After the Ruling: Judgment and Collection

If you win, the judgment is entered that day or shortly after. The losing defendant has 14 days to file an appeal to District Court under C.R.S. § 13-6-410 (though plaintiffs cannot appeal their own claims — only defendants have that right in Colorado small claims).

If no appeal is filed and the defendant does not pay voluntarily, collection becomes a separate process. The court does not collect money for you. You may need to pursue wage garnishment, bank levies, or other enforcement actions — each with its own timeline.

Key Colorado Small Claims Timing Rules

Delays happen when service attempts fail, when a defendant requests a continuance, or when the court's docket is congested. If the sheriff cannot locate the defendant, you will need to try alternative service methods, which adds days or weeks.

Our Colorado Small Claims Filing Guide includes a deadline calendar that maps every milestone — from demand letter delivery through service deadlines and your hearing date — so nothing slips through the cracks.

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