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Eviction timeline in Colorado

Colorado Eviction Timeline

Uncontested: 21–45 days  ·  Contested: 60–120 days  ·  Under C.R.S. § 38-12 (Tenants and Landlords)

The Colorado eviction process requires a court-ordered judgment before a landlord can remove a tenant. Timeline figures below begin after the pre-filing notice period expires and the landlord files the complaint with the court. Add 3–60+ days for the applicable pre-filing notice period (pay-or-quit, cure-or-quit, or no-fault) depending on the eviction reason.

Colorado Eviction Timeline at a Glance1

21–45 days Uncontested
60–120 days Contested
$105–$200 Court filing fee
$750–$3,500 Attorney fees (est.)
#4 of 51 Fastest nationally
Uncontested eviction (after filing) 21–45 days C.R.S. § 38-12 (Tenants and Landlords)
Contested eviction (after filing) 60–120 days C.R.S. § 38-12 (Tenants and Landlords)
Pre-filing notice: Nonpayment of rent 10 days C.R.S. 13-40-104(1)(d)
Pre-filing notice: Material lease violation 10 days C.R.S. 13-40-104(1)(e)
Pre-filing notice: Substantial violation 3 days C.R.S. 13-40-107.5
Pre-filing notice: No-fault termination (owner move-in, renovation) 90 days C.R.S. 13-40-104 (HB24-1098)
Pre-filing notice: End of fixed-term lease for legitimate business reason 0 days C.R.S. 13-40-104 (HB24-1098)
Court filing fee $105–$200 C.R.S. § 38-12 (Tenants and Landlords)

Step-by-step Colorado eviction process

Day-by-day, every stage.

Each row's day-label is the cumulative start of that stage on the worst-case clock.
Pre-filing Notice File Court Lockout
  1. 3–90d
    1
    Stage 1 · Gate

    Confirm cause and serve demand

    Day 1

    10-day demand for nonpayment or curable breach; 3-day for substantial violation; 90-day for no-fault under HB24-1098. Check just-cause coverage before serving.

  2. 1–3d
    2
    Stage 2 · Serve

    File unlawful detainer in County Court

    Day 91

    County Court for the county. Filing fee $97-$135. Attach lease, demand, proof of service.

  3. 7–14d
    3
    Stage 3 · File

    Service and 7-14 day return date

    Day 94

    Sheriff or process server delivers summons. Return date 7-14 days after filing.

  4. 0–14d
    4
    Stage 4 · Court

    Hearing and judgment

    Day 108

    Bench hearing. Common defenses: improper notice, habitability, retaliation. Same-day judgment in uncontested cases.

  5. 3–14d
    5
    Stage 5 · Lockout

    Writ of restitution and sheriff lockout

    Day 122

    No statutory post-judgment grace period. Sheriff executes within 10 days typically; Denver and Adams stretch to 14.

  6. Day 136
    ✓
    Possession recovered
    Worst case · Day 136
Timelines begin at court filing, not notice service. The Colorado timelines above start when the landlord files the eviction complaint with the court. Add pre-filing notice periods (3–60 days depending on eviction reason) to get the full end-to-end timeline. Self-help eviction, changing locks, removing belongings, or shutting off utilities, is illegal in Colorado and exposes the landlord to significant damages.

Other Guides for Colorado

← Colorado Eviction Risk OverviewEviction Costs: ColoradoEviction Process: ColoradoRent Control Guide: ColoradoTenant Screening: ColoradoTenant Protections: ColoradoTenant Rights: ColoradoNotice Templates: Colorado

Eviction Timeline in Other States

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Informational only, not legal advice. Consult a licensed Colorado attorney. Source attribution in the Sources band below.