Colorado: State guide

This is general information, not legal advice. Colorado's judicial branch publishes a small claims handbook for people who are not lawyers. The handbook says small claims court is designed for cases involving sums less than $7,500, and later says the court cannot award more than $7,500 even if the claim is worth more. You either waive the amount above $7,500 or you file in a different court. The copy posted by the judicial branch still says Spring 2011 on the revision line, even though the file is offered from the court's current website. Confirm the ceiling with the court clerk before you waive anything. The handbook points readers to Colorado Revised Statutes sections 13-6-401 through 13-6-417.

Checked against official sources on October 11, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.

The handbook describes a court of limited jurisdiction. It can take simple cases to recover money or property, to perform a contract, to set aside a contract, or to enforce restrictive covenants. A security-deposit dispute can fit. So can a car-damage claim that insurance did not cover. The handbook says you may also recover a filing fee, a service fee, and interest. It says you cannot have a jury as a general matter, and it cites the statute for when a magistrate hears the case. It also says the court does not hear libel or slander.

Lawyers are generally not required, and the handbook is written for people who will follow detailed rules anyway. It urges you to read the statutes and the Colorado Rules of Procedure for Small Claims Court, Rules 501 through 521. Those rules cover how a claim is started, how the other side is notified, and how the hearing runs. The handbook's warning is fair: informal does not mean casual. Missing a notice rule can stall a case that otherwise fits the dollar line. County court clerks can point you to the forms. They cannot try the case for you in the hallway.

If your loss is above $7,500, the handbook is explicit that using small claims means giving up the excess. You do not get to sue later for the part you left behind. Write down the number you are claiming and make sure it matches the waiver you are willing to live with. Because the posted handbook still shows a 2011 revision note, ask the clerk whether sections 13-6-401 through 13-6-417 still state the same ceiling. A statute controls when a handbook and the statute diverge. This directory reports the handbook's figure and the date note together so the age of the pamphlet stays visible.

Official resources in Colorado

Colorado small claims handbook

Judicial branch handbook stating the $7,500 award limit and a Spring 2011 revision note.

Colorado Judicial Branch

Court site that hosts the handbook and county-court information.

Colorado General Assembly

Official statutes, including title 13, which the handbook cites.

Key facts for Colorado

The judicial branch handbook says small claims court cannot award more than $7,500.
The posted handbook still shows a Spring 2011 revision note.
The handbook says the excess above $7,500 must be waived if you stay in this court.
It describes money, property, contract, and restrictive-covenant cases as the usual subjects.
It says libel and slander are outside the court.
It points readers to C.R.S. sections 13-6-401 through 13-6-417 and small claims rules 501 through 521.

What to do next

Confirm the $7,500 figure with the clerk because the handbook's revision note is old.
If you claim only $7,500 of a larger loss, understand that the handbook says the rest is waived.
Read rules 501 through 521 before the hearing, not only the handbook summary.
Choose another court if you need a defamation judgment or a jury.

Looking for your city or county in Colorado?

We haven't found official court-level pages for Colorado we can verify yet, so we don't show local numbers here rather than guess. Here's what to use instead, in order:

General Start with the statewide information above. It applies across Colorado, but cities and counties can add their own steps, fees or deadlines.
Call to confirm Ask the official office. They have the current local rule, fee and form.
Colorado Judicial Branch
Website →
Phone not shown: use the contact page on the official website above.
Your city or county office: Local governments →
Not sure who handles it locally? USAGov's free help line, 1-844-872-4681, or the Colorado page on USA.gov can point you to the right office.
Know the current info? Tell us and include a link to the official page. We check every tip before it goes up.

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