Colorado · Forcible Entry and Detainer

eFile FED Cases with Colorado Courts

How a nonpayment eviction moves through Colorado County Court, step by step — managed end to end in Connect2Court.

eFile FED Case →Book a demo
Filing elsewhere?
GeorgiaColoradoTexasMaryland
Front Range · turnaround times
eFile Instantly
First appearance
7–14 Days from filing
Writ after judgment
48 Hours minimum
The process

The Colorado FED Process

Forcible Entry and Detainer is Colorado's name for the eviction lawsuit. A brief explanation of each stage is below.

State note. Colorado requires pre-filing mediation with tenants who receive certain public cash assistance, and bars execution of a writ against those tenants for at least 30 days after judgment (HB23-1120). Docket timing varies by county.

Step 01

10-Day Demand for Compliance For nonpayment of rent, the landlord serves a written demand giving the tenant 10 days to pay in full or vacate. Colorado uses form JDF 99A, and every notice must include the required Notice of Tenant Rights — a defective notice gets the case dismissed.

C.R.S. § 13-40-104(1)(d)

How Connect2Court helps

Generate compliant demands in bulk

Connect2Court builds the demand and attaches the Notice of Tenant Rights automatically, so the most common dismissal cause never reaches the docket.

Step 02

File the FED Complaint & Summons If the tenant does not cure within the notice period, the landlord files an Eviction Complaint (JDF 101) and Eviction Summons (JDF 102) in the County Court for the county where the property is located.

Step 03

Service of the Summons The tenant must be served at least 7 days before the court appearance date. Service is made personally, or by posting on the premises with a copy mailed.

C.R.S. § 13-40-112(3)

Step 04

Return Date / First Appearance The court sets the first appearance roughly 7–14 days after filing. This is where the case either resolves immediately or is set for a contested trial.

Decision point

First Appearance The tenant either appears or defaults. From here the case splits down two paths.

C.R.S. § 13-40-111

Path A · Tenant doesn't appear

Default Judgment

The court enters a default judgment for possession. No trial required — the fastest route to a writ.

Path B · Tenant contests

Trial is Set

The court sets a contested trial and the case is decided on the merits.

  • Rules for landlord: The court enters judgment for possession in the landlord's favor.
  • Rules for tenant: The case may be dismissed. The path ends here.
Step 05

Judgment for Possession The court enters judgment for possession in the landlord's favor. The tenant has 14 days to appeal and post a bond to stay the eviction.

C.R.S. §§ 13-40-115, 13-40-116

Step 06

Writ of Restitution The writ is issued no earlier than 48 hours after judgment is entered. It is the court's formal order returning possession to the landlord.

C.R.S. § 13-40-122

How Connect2Court helps

Writs filed the moment they are available

Connect2Court tracks the judgment date and files the writ as soon as the statutory window opens, then keeps the case moving toward sheriff execution.

Step 07

Sheriff Execution The sheriff posts the writ and the tenant has 48 hours to vacate. If they remain, the county sheriff carries out the physical removal and returns possession to the landlord.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Straight answers to what Colorado attorneys and landlords ask before filing an FED action.

How long is the notice period in Colorado?

Nonpayment of rent and curable lease violations both require a 10-day Demand for Compliance or Possession. Serious, incurable breaches may proceed on a 3-day notice to quit.

What is a Forcible Entry and Detainer?

FED is Colorado's name for the eviction lawsuit, governed by C.R.S. § 13-40-101 et seq. It can recover possession of the property and, in many cases, a money judgment for unpaid rent.

When is the first court date set?

The court typically sets the first appearance 7–14 days after the complaint is filed, and the tenant must be served at least 7 days before that date.

How fast can a writ of restitution issue?

No earlier than 48 hours after judgment is entered. Once issued, the tenant generally has another 48 hours to vacate before the sheriff enforces it.

Does the notice have to include anything special?

Yes. Colorado requires the Notice of Tenant Rights with every eviction notice. Omitting it makes the notice legally defective and the case will be dismissed.

Which Colorado courts hear eviction cases?

FED actions are filed in the County Court for the county where the rental property is located. Denver County Court has its own separate filing procedures.

Still have questions? Send us a message.

Additional resources

Court Directory

Direct links to each Front Range county court, its online docket, and the governing FED statutes.

CountyCourt siteCase docketFile
Denver CountyURL neededURL neededFile Now →
Arapahoe CountyURL neededURL neededFile Now →
Adams CountyURL neededURL neededFile Now →
Jefferson CountyURL neededURL neededFile Now →
Douglas CountyURL neededURL neededFile Now →
El Paso CountyURL neededURL neededFile Now →
C.R.S. § 13-40-104
Demand for Compliance
Statute link needed
C.R.S. § 13-40-112
Service of Summons
Statute link needed
C.R.S. § 13-40-122
Writ of Restitution
Statute link needed
Get started

Start filing in Colorado

Pay-as-you-go with a credit card, or talk to us about Enterprise pricing and portfolio-wide savings.

eFile FED CaseBook a demo