Colorado · Legal help by topic · Updated Oct 2026

Legal help in Colorado: get back what you're owed

Eight free guides for Colorado, in one place: the key facts and deadlines from each, and a direct link to the full guide. Start with the problem you have.

Small Claims Map

Small claims court in Colorado

If someone owes you money and won't pay, you can sue without a lawyer.

Most you can sue for
$7,500
Court
small claims court
Filing fee
$31–$55
Lawyers
No lawyers

Facts from Small Claims Map. About this topic

Tenant Rights Map

Renters' rights in Colorado

If you rent, state law sets how fast a deposit comes back, what the landlord must repair and the notice before an eviction case.

Deadline to return a deposit
30 days (lease: up to 60)
Security deposit limit
2 months' rent
Notice before an eviction case for unpaid rent
10 days (5 for some small landlords)
Notice before the landlord enters
No statute

Cities with their own rules: Denver

Facts from Tenant Rights Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Wage Claim Map

Unpaid wages in Colorado

If your employer didn't pay you, a state office may collect it for free.

File a wage claim with
Colorado Department of Labor and Employment
Minimum wage (2026)
$15.16
Final paycheck if fired
Immediately
Deadline to file a wage claim
2 years

Facts from Wage Claim Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Lemon Car Map

Lemon law in Colorado

If a new car keeps going back to the shop for the same defect, the maker may owe you a refund or a replacement.

Lemon law period
24 mo / 24,000 mi
What makes it a lemon
3 repairs · 2 if unsafe · 24 business days
Covers used cars
No
Before you sue
If maker has a program

Facts from Lemon Car Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Tax Appeal Map

Property tax appeals in Colorado

If your home's assessed value is too high, you can appeal it, but only within a short window.

Deadline to appeal
June 8 (county assessor)
Where you appeal first
Protest to the county assessor, then appeal to the County Board of Equalization (CBOE)
Median effective tax rate
0.48%
Median yearly tax on a home
$2,602

Closed for 2026The 2026 protest window closed June 8, 2026 (county board appeals closed July 15, or September 15 in counties on the alternate schedule). The next window opens when 2027 reappraisal notices go out by May 1, 2027, and runs through June 8, 2027. In counties on the alternate schedule, county board decisions can come out as late as November 1, 2026; you then have 30 days from the mailing date to appeal to the Board of Assessment Appeals, district court or arbitration. Owners who did not protest in 2026 may still be able to file an abatement petition. (as of October 21, 2026)

Facts from Tax Appeal Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Exemption Map

Property tax exemptions in Colorado

If you own and live in your home, you may qualify for breaks that lower your property tax. You usually have to apply.

Homestead exemption
No general exemption
Homestead deadline
See the guide
Senior break
Yes
Disabled veterans
$100,000

Facts from Exemption Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Owed Map

Unclaimed money in Colorado

Old bank accounts, deposits, refunds and checks end up with the state. Searching and claiming is free.

Official search
The Great Colorado Payback
Held by the state
About $2.5 billion (January 2026)
Cost to search and claim
Free
On MissingMoney.com
Yes

Facts from Owed Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Divorce Law Map

Divorce in Colorado

Before you can file, one of you usually must have lived in the state for a set time, and many states make you wait before the divorce is final.

Residency before you can file
91 days
Waiting period
91 days after service
Filing fee
$230

Facts from Divorce Law Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Deadlines at a glance in Colorado

Short forms of each guide's rule. Every deadline has details (when the clock starts, exceptions, how to count days): read the full rule in the guide before you rely on it. “See the guide” means our data has no short form for it.

Deadlines at a glance in Colorado
TopicDeadline or time limitRuleGuide
Small claims courtDeadline to sue: written contract3 yearsSmall Claims Map
Small claims courtDeadline to sue: verbal agreement3 yearsSmall Claims Map
Small claims courtDeadline to sue: property damage2 yearsSmall Claims Map
Renters' rightsDeadline to return a deposit30 days (lease: up to 60)Tenant Rights Map
Renters' rightsNotice before an eviction case for unpaid rent10 days (5 for some small landlords)Tenant Rights Map
Unpaid wagesDeadline to file a wage claim2 yearsWage Claim Map
Unpaid wagesFinal paycheck if firedImmediatelyWage Claim Map
Lemon lawLemon law period24 mo / 24,000 miLemon Car Map
Lemon lawDeadlineFile suit within 30 months after original delivery; the clock pauses while you are in the manufacturer's arbitration program and while the car cannot be used because it is being repaired (Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-10-107, as amended by SB 24-192).Lemon Car Map
Property tax appealsDeadline to appealJune 8 (county assessor)Tax Appeal Map
Property tax exemptionsHomestead deadlineSee the guideExemption Map
Unclaimed moneyDeadline to claimSee the guideOwed Map
DivorceResidency before you can file91 daysDivorce Law Map
DivorceWaiting period91 days after serviceDivorce Law Map

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Links checked Oct 2026. Sources are listed in how we research.

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