Short answer. In Colorado, small claims court covers claims up to $7,500. Where to file: The county where an individual defendant lives, works or is a full-time student, or where a business defendant has an office for transacting business. The fee to start a case is $31 to $55, depending on the claim.
Can I file my claim in Colorado small claims?
Enter an amount to compare it with the Colorado limit of $7,500.
Need the other side served? Process serving with an affidavit of service.
Colorado small claims at a glance
- Limit
- $7,500. $7,500 or less. Not for libel or slander, eviction, injunctive relief, or probate, mental health, divorce or custody matters.
- Court
- Small claims court (Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure for Small Claims Courts)
- Lawyers
- Allowed with limits
- Where to file
- The county where an individual defendant lives, works or is a full-time student, or where a business defendant has an office for transacting business. Security deposit and restrictive covenant claims: the county where the property is.
- Serving the other side
- Personal service of the defendant's copy by law enforcement, a private process server or any disinterested person over 18, at least 15 days before the trial date; proof of service is filed with the court.
- Appeal
- Start the appeal in the county court where the case was filed by filing a Notice of Appeal (Form 4) and Designation of Record (Form 5) "within 14 calendar days of the magistrate or judge making a decision or entering a judgment," and pay the filing fee and appeal bond; then file copies in the district court in that county within 35 days. The district court decides the appeal on the record the county court prepares.
Colorado filing fees
| Fee | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| plaintiff, claim up to $500 | $31 | |
| plaintiff, claim $500.01 to $7,500 | $55 | |
| defendant without counterclaim, up to $500 | $26 | |
| defendant without counterclaim, $500.01 to $7,500 | $41 | |
| party with counterclaim, both $500 or less | $31 | |
| party with counterclaim over $500 | $46 |
From the Colorado Judicial Branch small claims filing fee table. People who can't afford the fee can ask to file without payment.
Not confirmed for Colorado: who can file, online filing. The official Colorado page we checked didn't state these, so we left them out. Ask the clerk or see the official page.
Want us to handle it?
A runner files your papers in person at the clerk's window and sends you a scan of the stamped copy. We file what you prepared; we don't give legal advice.
Price: Outside New Jersey it goes through our contractor network: quote-based, confirmed before any work starts, and booked once a local contractor accepts. In New Jersey it is from $75 per filing, court fees at cost. Starting rates. Your exact price is quoted after we confirm a local notary/runner, before you pay.
Filing a small claim in Colorado, step by step
- Check that your claim fitsUse the checker above: the Colorado limit is $7,500, and the official wording is in the summary. Count only what you can show with papers or photos.
- Pick the right courtThe county where an individual defendant lives, works or is a full-time student, or where a business defendant has an office for transacting business. Security deposit and restrictive covenant claims: the county where the property is.
- Fill out the claim and pay the feeThe filing fee in Colorado is $31 to $55, depending on the claim. From the Colorado Judicial Branch small claims filing fee table. People who can't afford the fee can ask to file without payment.
- Have the other side servedPersonal service of the defendant's copy by law enforcement, a private process server or any disinterested person over 18, at least 15 days before the trial date; proof of service is filed with the court.
- Get ready for the hearingLawyers: allowed with limits. Bring the contract, receipts, photos, messages and a short timeline, with copies for the judge and the other side.
- After the decisionStart the appeal in the county court where the case was filed by filing a Notice of Appeal (Form 4) and Designation of Record (Form 5) "within 14 calendar days of the magistrate or judge making a decision or entering a judgment," and pay the filing fee and appeal bond; then file copies in the district court in that county within 35 days. The district court decides the appeal on the record the county court prepares.
Official Colorado links
- Colorado small claims self-help page
- Colorado Judicial Legal Help Center: When can an attorney represent the defendant or me in small claims court
- Colorado Judicial Branch: Small Claims Cases Filing Fees
- Colorado Judicial Branch: Small Claims self-help handout (4.14.25)
- Colorado Judicial Branch: How to start a small claims or county civil appeal
Last checked November 2026.
General information checked against the official Colorado pages above, not legal advice. MCC Solutions isn't a law firm and isn't affiliated with any court. Rules and fees change: the official page and the clerk have the final word. The checker runs in your browser, and nothing you enter is sent or saved.
Colorado small claims questions
What is the small claims limit in Colorado?
$7,500. $7,500 or less. Not for libel or slander, eviction, injunctive relief, or probate, mental health, divorce or custody matters.
How much does it cost to file a small claim in Colorado?
plaintiff, claim up to $500: $31; plaintiff, claim $500.01 to $7,500: $55; defendant without counterclaim, up to $500: $26; defendant without counterclaim, $500.01 to $7,500: $41; party with counterclaim, both $500 or less: $31; party with counterclaim over $500: $46. From the Colorado Judicial Branch small claims filing fee table. People who can't afford the fee can ask to file without payment.
Can a lawyer represent me in Colorado small claims?
Allowed with limits in Colorado, per the official page.
Where do I file a small claim in Colorado?
The county where an individual defendant lives, works or is a full-time student, or where a business defendant has an office for transacting business. Security deposit and restrictive covenant claims: the county where the property is.
Can I appeal a small claims decision in Colorado?
Start the appeal in the county court where the case was filed by filing a Notice of Appeal (Form 4) and Designation of Record (Form 5) "within 14 calendar days of the magistrate or judge making a decision or entering a judgment," and pay the filing fee and appeal bond; then file copies in the district court in that county within 35 days. The district court decides the appeal on the record the county court prepares.
How is the other side served in a Colorado small claims case?
Personal service of the defendant's copy by law enforcement, a private process server or any disinterested person over 18, at least 15 days before the trial date; proof of service is filed with the court.
Compare every state: small claims limits by state · California small claims · Connecticut small claims