How long eviction takes colorado renters is usually the first question people ask after a notice shows up on the door. The honest answer is that most Colorado evictions run about 30 to 60 days from the first written notice to a sheriff move-out. However, the timeline is not one clock. It is a chain of separate deadlines set by Colorado’s Forcible Entry and Detainer (FED) law, found in C.R.
S. Title 13, Article 40. Each step has its own required waiting period. Understanding how long eviction takes colorado tenants gives you something valuable: time to pay, fix the problem, find help, or plan a move. Nothing happens overnight, and your landlord cannot legally lock you out or shut off utilities to speed things up.
The First Clock: Your Written Notice
No eviction case can be filed until the notice period runs out. For unpaid rent, C.R.S. 13-40-104(1)(d) requires a 10-day Demand for Payment or Possession. You have those full 10 days to pay everything owed. If you pay in full, the eviction stops there. There is one narrow exception. A landlord who owns five or fewer single-family rental homes and uses an “exempt residential agreement” may serve a 5-day demand instead.
Lease violations also get a 10-day Notice to Comply or Quit in most cases. For example, if the notice says you have an unauthorized pet, you typically have 10 days to fix it. When people ask how long eviction takes colorado landlords must wait, this first stage is often the longest one they control.
Ending a tenancy without any tenant fault takes far longer. Under C.R.S. 13-40-107, notice must be at least 91 days for a tenancy of one year or more, 28 days for six months to a year, 21 days for one to six months, and 3 days for week-to-week. Since HB24-1098 took effect in 2024, most Colorado landlords also need a legal “just cause” reason to end a tenancy at all.
How Long Eviction Takes Colorado Renters After the Case Is Filed
Once the notice expires, the landlord files an FED complaint in county court. The court then issues a summons. Under C.R.S. 13-40-111, that summons orders you to appear on a return date not less than 7 days and not more than 14 days after it is issued. You must be served at least 7 days before that date. In most cases, you must file your written Answer (form JDF 103) by noon on the return date.
What happens next depends entirely on whether you respond. If you file nothing, the court can enter a default judgment on the return date. If you file an Answer and contest the case, the court sets a trial, which often lands one to three weeks later. That single choice is the biggest factor in how long eviction takes colorado tenants in practice.
| Stage | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Demand for rent notice | 10 days (5 if exempt agreement) |
| No-fault notice, 1-year tenancy | 91 days |
| Filing to return date | 7–14 days |
| Contested trial setting | 7–21 additional days |
| Judgment to writ issued | 48 hours minimum |
| Writ posted to sheriff move-out | Roughly 48 hours, varies by county |
| Total, uncontested | About 30–45 days |
The Final Days: Judgment, Writ, and the Sheriff
Losing at the return date or trial does not mean you leave that day. C.R.S. 13-40-122 says a court cannot issue a Writ of Restitution until 48 hours after judgment is entered. Only the county sheriff can carry out that writ. Deputies usually post it on the door with a return date roughly 48 hours out, though practice varies between Denver, El Paso, Adams, and rural counties.
Mediation can add time too. Under HB23-1120, many landlords must complete mediation before filing if the tenant receives SSI, SSDI, or Colorado Works cash assistance. You must disclose that you receive it. Landlords who are nonprofits or who own fewer than five units are exempt. Tenants who use this protection often add two weeks or more, which changes how long eviction takes colorado households facing a fixed-income crunch.
What You Should Do With the Time You Have
Start by writing every deadline on a calendar. Count the notice days, the return date, and the answer deadline. Typically, missing the noon Answer deadline is what turns a 60-day case into a 20-day case.
Next, apply for rental assistance immediately. Call 2-1-1 Colorado or contact your county human services office. Many tenants can also get free help from Colorado Legal Services or the Colorado Poverty Law Project. You may be able to raise defenses such as improper notice, unrepaired conditions under the warranty of habitability (C.R.S. 38-12-503), retaliation, or accounting errors in the amount demanded. Check with your court’s self-help center or a local legal-aid office before your return date.
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As a result of knowing how long eviction takes colorado courts to move, you can act early instead of reacting. Keep paying what you can and keep receipts. Save texts and photos. Show up to every court date, even remotely if the court allows it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my landlord evict me in a week?
No. Even the fastest path requires a notice period, a court case, and a summons with a 7-to-14-day return date. In most cases, how long eviction takes colorado renters is at least three to four weeks.
Does filing an Answer delay the eviction?
Typically yes, because the court must set a trial. However, an Answer is not just a delay tactic. It is how you raise real defenses, so file it by noon on the return date.
How long do I have after the sheriff posts the writ?
Usually about 48 hours, though counties differ. For example, some sheriff’s offices schedule move-outs several days out because of backlogs, so call the sheriff’s civil division to confirm.
Check Your Rights in Your State
Find out exactly what your state’s law says about your situation — deadlines, deposit rules, and what to do next. Use our free tools to get the full picture.
Official Sources & Resources
For verified tenant rights and landlord-tenant law information:
- HUD (Tenant Rights): hud.gov
- LSC (Free Legal Aid): lsc.gov
- Cornell LII (Landlord-Tenant Law): law.cornell.edu
- State Court Self-Help: Check your state court’s self-help portal for official forms and deadlines
- State Legislature Websites: Verify exact statute language on your state legislature’s .gov site
Content last reviewed September 2026. If you notice any outdated information, please contact us.
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Disclaimer. The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Landlord-tenant laws vary by state, county, and city, and may change without notice. The creators assume no liability for accuracy or completeness. Always verify with your state court, a local legal-aid office, or a qualified tenant attorney for advice specific to your situation.