How Long Does an Eviction Take in Colorado?
When tenants stop paying rent or violate their lease, landlords often want to know one thing: How long will the eviction process take?
In Colorado, eviction cases can move relatively quickly compared to other states, but the exact timeline depends on several factors. These include notice requirements, court scheduling, tenant responses, and whether the tenant contests the case.
This guide explains the typical eviction timeline in Colorado so landlords know what to expect.
Step 1: Demand for Compliance or Possession
The eviction process begins when a landlord has the tenant served with a Demand for Compliance or Possession notice.
This notice informs the tenant that they must either:
- Correct the lease violation, or
- Vacate the property
The notice period varies depending on the type of violation and the length of the tenancy.
• 3 to 10 days for certain lease violations
• Longer periods for some situations depending on tenancy length
• 30 days for CARES Act properties
During this time, the landlord cannot file an eviction case.
Step 2: Filing the Eviction Case
If the tenant does not comply with the demand notice, the landlord may file a Forcible Entry and Detainer (FED) case with the county court.
Once filed, the court schedules a hearing. In most Colorado counties, the first court date is typically set:
7 to 14 days after filing
The tenant must also be served with the summons and complaint before the hearing. This JDF101 Form, once filled out, will be processed by the Clerk and then the landlord must serve it to the tenant(s).
Step 3: Court Hearing
At the court hearing, one of several outcomes may occur:
- The tenant fails to appear and the landlord receives a default judgment
- The tenant appears but does not contest the eviction
- The tenant files an answer and disputes the case
If the case is uncontested, the court may issue a judgment for possession the same day.
If the tenant contests the eviction, the court may schedule additional hearings or a trial, which can extend the timeline.
Step 4: Waiting Period Before Lockout
After the landlord receives a judgment for possession, Colorado law requires a short waiting period before enforcement.
Step 5: Sheriff Lockout
Once the writ is issued, the sheriff schedules a physical eviction, sometimes referred to as a lockout.
Scheduling depends on sheriff availability and county workload. In many counties, the lockout may occur within:
1 to 2 weeks after the writ is issued
At that point, the landlord is legally allowed to enter the property and remove the tenant and all of their possessions.
Typical Eviction Timeline in Colorado
For a straightforward eviction with no tenant response, the process may look like this:
| Step | Approximate Time |
|---|---|
| Demand notice period | 3–10 days |
| Filing to court hearing | 7–14 days |
| Judgment to writ issuance | ~2–5 days |
| Sheriff lockout scheduling | 7–14 days |
| Total (uncontested) | ~3 to 6 weeks |
This increases by approximately 3 weeks if the property is a CARES Act property.
Factors That Can Delay the Process
Several factors may extend the eviction timeline:
- Incorrect notices or paperwork — Wrong notice type, wrong period, or missing information
- Failure to properly serve the tenant — Improper service can result in dismissal
- Tenant filing a response or counterclaim — Contested cases require additional hearings
- Requests for jury trials — Adds significant time to the process
- Court scheduling delays — Some counties have significant backlogs
- CARES Act notice requirements — Federally backed properties require a 30-day notice period
When these issues arise, eviction cases may take two months or longer to resolve.
How Landlords Can Avoid Delays
The most common cause of eviction delays is procedural mistakes. Landlords can help keep the process moving by:
- Serving the correct notice period
- Ensuring tenants are properly named in the complaint
- Verifying documents before filing
- Confirming proper service of the summons
Preparing the case correctly from the beginning helps avoid restarting the process. Colorado Court Help, LLC built a tool to help landlords navigate the process efficiently.
Final Thoughts
While Colorado's eviction process can move quickly, landlords should still expect several weeks between the initial notice and regaining possession of their property.
Understanding the typical timeline helps landlords set realistic expectations and plan for the financial impact of a vacancy or nonpaying tenant.
By following proper procedures and filing correctly, landlords can significantly reduce delays and move through the eviction process as efficiently as possible.
Need help navigating the eviction timeline? Colorado Court Help generates your documents, calculates your deadlines, and guides you through each step for a flat $99 fee.
