COLORADO BANKRUPTCY EXEMPTION WORKSHEET
DEBTOR INFORMATION
| Field |
Entry |
| Debtor's Full Legal Name |
[____________________________________] |
| Joint Debtor's Full Legal Name (if any) |
[____________________________________] |
| Last 4 Digits of SSN/ITIN (Debtor) |
[_____] |
| Last 4 Digits of SSN/ITIN (Joint Debtor) |
[_____] |
| Bankruptcy Case No. |
[_______________________] |
| Chapter |
☐ 7 ☐ 11 ☐ 12 ☐ 13 |
| Date of Filing |
[__/__/____] |
| Address (Domicile) |
[____________________________________] |
| County of Residence |
[_______________________] |
| Date Colorado Domicile Established |
[__/__/____] |
RESIDENCY AND EXEMPTION-LAW SELECTION (11 U.S.C. § 522(b)(3)(A))
Section A — Residency Determination
| Question |
Response |
| Has the debtor been domiciled in Colorado for the 730 days immediately before the petition date? |
☐ Yes ☐ No |
| If No, in which state was the debtor domiciled for the greater part of the 180-day period preceding the 730-day period? |
[_______________________] |
| Does that state's law extend its exemptions to non-residents? |
☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ N/A |
| Does the federal "fall-back" under § 522(b)(3) apply (no state law applies)? |
☐ Yes ☐ No |
| Applicable Exemption Law |
☐ Colorado (C.R.S.) ☐ Other state: [______] ☐ Federal § 522(d) (fall-back only) |
Section B — 1215-Day Homestead Cap (11 U.S.C. § 522(p) and (q))
| Question |
Response |
| Was the debtor's interest in any current Colorado homestead acquired within the 1,215 days before the petition date? |
☐ Yes ☐ No |
| If Yes, the homestead exemption is capped at $214,000 (per the most recent § 104 adjustment effective April 1, 2025; verify current cap before filing). Confirm the cap that applies to this case: |
$[_______________] |
| Does any § 522(q) misconduct trigger apply (securities-law violation, certain criminal acts, or specified torts within the past 5 years)? |
☐ Yes ☐ No |
PART 1 — REAL PROPERTY (HOMESTEAD)
1.1 Homestead Exemption — C.R.S. § 38-41-201
| Item |
Detail |
| Address of Homestead Property |
[____________________________________] |
| County / Parcel ID |
[_______________________] / [_______________________] |
| Form of Ownership |
☐ Sole ☐ Joint Tenancy ☐ Tenancy in Common ☐ Tenancy by the Entirety (CO does not recognize) ☐ Other |
| Date Owner Acquired Title |
[__/__/____] |
| Date Owner Began Occupying as Principal Residence |
[__/__/____] |
| Fair Market Value |
$[_______________] |
| Total Liens (mortgages, deeds of trust, judgment liens, tax liens) |
$[_______________] |
| Equity (FMV minus liens) |
$[_______________] |
| Standard Exemption Amount |
$250,000 |
| Elderly/Disabled Exemption Amount (§ 38-41-201(1)(b)) — owner, spouse, or dependent age 60+ or "disabled" as defined in § 38-41-201.5 |
$350,000 |
| Exemption Claimed (circle one) |
☐ $250,000 (standard) ☐ $350,000 (elderly/disabled) |
| Equity Protected |
$[_______________] |
| Equity Exposed to Trustee |
$[_______________] |
Homestead Subcategories
| Type |
Citation |
Amount |
Claimed? |
| Standard residence (house, condo, mobile home) |
§ 38-41-201(1)(a) |
$250,000 |
☐ |
| Owner/spouse/dependent age 60+ or disabled |
§ 38-41-201(1)(b) |
$350,000 |
☐ |
| Proceeds of voluntary sale (held two years) |
§ 38-41-207 |
Same as homestead |
☐ |
| Proceeds of involuntary sale (e.g., insurance, condemnation) |
§ 38-41-209 |
Same as homestead |
☐ |
1.2 Other Real Property
| Description |
FMV |
Liens |
Equity |
Exemption Citation |
Amount |
| [_______________________] |
$[_______] |
$[_______] |
$[_______] |
[_______________________] |
$[_______] |
PART 2 — PERSONAL PROPERTY EXEMPTIONS (C.R.S. § 13-54-102)
2.1 Wearing Apparel — § 13-54-102(1)(a)
| Item |
Detail |
| Statutory Cap (per debtor or dependent) |
$2,000 aggregate |
| Aggregate Value Claimed |
$[_______________] |
| Description (general categories acceptable) |
[____________________________________] |
2.2 Watches, Jewelry, and Articles of Adornment — § 13-54-102(1)(b)
| Item |
Detail |
| Statutory Cap (per debtor or dependent) |
$2,500 aggregate |
| Aggregate Value Claimed |
$[_______________] |
| Itemization |
[____________________________________] |
2.3 Library, Family Pictures, and School Books — § 13-54-102(1)(c)
| Item |
Detail |
| Statutory Cap |
$2,000 aggregate |
| Value Claimed |
$[_______________] |
2.4 Burial Sites — § 13-54-102(1)(d)
| Item |
Detail |
| Statutory Cap |
One burial site per family member |
| Cemetery and Plot Number |
[____________________________________] |
| Value Claimed |
$[_______________] |
2.5 Household Goods — § 13-54-102(1)(e)
| Item |
Detail |
| Statutory Cap |
$6,000 aggregate |
| Aggregate Value Claimed |
$[_______________] |
| Description |
[____________________________________] |
2.6 Provisions and Fuel — § 13-54-102(1)(f)
| Item |
Detail |
| Statutory Cap |
$600 aggregate |
| Value Claimed |
$[_______________] |
2.7 Livestock, Poultry, and Working Animals — § 13-54-102(1)(g)
| Item |
Detail |
| Statutory Cap |
$5,000 (working animals); see also § 13-54-102(1)(h) for agricultural tools |
| Value Claimed |
$[_______________] |
| Description |
[____________________________________] |
2.8 Agricultural Implements, Tools, and Livestock (Farm/Ranch Use) — § 13-54-102(1)(g) and (h)
| Item |
Detail |
| Statutory Cap |
$50,000 aggregate (livestock, poultry, machinery, tools, equipment used in agriculture) |
| Value Claimed |
$[_______________] |
| Description |
[____________________________________] |
2.9 Tools of the Trade / Stock in Trade — § 13-54-102(1)(i)
| Item |
Detail |
| Statutory Cap — Primary Gainful Occupation |
$60,000 aggregate |
| Statutory Cap — Other Gainful Occupation |
$20,000 aggregate |
| Occupation |
[____________________________________] |
| Aggregate Value Claimed |
$[_______________] |
| Itemization (machines, tools, equipment, business books, electronics, business materials) |
[____________________________________] |
2.10 Motor Vehicles — § 13-54-102(1)(j)
| Vehicle |
Year/Make/Model |
VIN |
FMV |
Lien |
Equity |
Subsection Used |
| 1 |
[_______________________] |
[_______________] |
$[_______] |
$[_______] |
$[_______] |
☐ (j)(I) Standard ☐ (j)(II) Elderly/Disabled ☐ (i) Tools |
| 2 |
[_______________________] |
[_______________] |
$[_______] |
$[_______] |
$[_______] |
☐ (j)(I) Standard ☐ (j)(II) Elderly/Disabled ☐ (i) Tools |
| Cap Type |
Amount |
Claimed? |
| Standard (up to two vehicles aggregate) |
$15,000 |
☐ |
| Elderly/Disabled (debtor, spouse, or dependent) |
$25,000 |
☐ |
2.11 Health Aids — § 13-54-102(1)(p)
| Item |
Detail |
| Statutory Cap |
Unlimited (professionally prescribed health aids) |
| Description |
[____________________________________] |
| Value |
$[_______________] |
2.12 Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Awards — § 13-54-102(1)(n) and (m)
| Item |
Detail |
| Personal injury proceeds (compensatory portion only) |
Unlimited; non-compensatory portions excluded |
| Wrongful death proceeds |
Unlimited |
| Description |
[____________________________________] |
| Value |
$[_______________] |
2.13 Firearms — § 13-54-102(1)(x)
| Item |
Detail |
| Statutory Cap |
$1,000 aggregate (per debtor) |
| Value Claimed |
$[_______________] |
2.14 Security Deposits and Utility Deposits — § 13-54-102(1)(r)
| Item |
Detail |
| Statutory Cap |
Limited to actual deposit amount; verify subsection |
| Value Claimed |
$[_______________] |
PART 3 — FINANCIAL ASSETS, INSURANCE, AND BENEFITS
3.1 Life Insurance — Cash Surrender Value — § 13-54-102(1)(l)
| Item |
Detail |
| Statutory Cap |
$250,000 cash surrender value (policies owned 48+ months) |
| Carve-out |
No exemption for "extraordinary" contributions during the 48 months preceding any writ |
| Carrier |
[____________________________________] |
| Policy Number |
[_______________________] |
| Owner-of-Record Date |
[__/__/____] |
| Cash Surrender Value |
$[_______________] |
| Amount Claimed |
$[_______________] |
3.2 Life Insurance — Death Proceeds — C.R.S. § 10-7-106
| Item |
Detail |
| Death proceeds payable to designated beneficiary |
Unlimited |
| Carrier / Policy / Insured / Beneficiary |
[____________________________________] |
| Value Claimed |
$[_______________] |
3.3 Group Life and Health Insurance — C.R.S. § 10-16-212
| Item |
Detail |
| Statutory Cap |
Unlimited (proceeds and avails) |
| Description |
[____________________________________] |
3.4 Annuities — § 13-54-102(1)(s)
| Item |
Detail |
| Statutory Cap |
$250 per month aggregate (verify current cap) |
| Carrier / Contract Number |
[____________________________________] |
| Value Claimed |
$[_______________] |
3.5 Pensions and Retirement Benefits — § 13-54-102(1)(s) and (1)(s.5); § 13-54-104.5
| Account/Plan Type |
Custodian |
Account Number (last 4) |
Balance |
Citation Used |
Amount Claimed |
| 401(k) |
[_______________________] |
[____] |
$[_______] |
§ 13-54-102(1)(s); 11 U.S.C. § 522(b)(3)(C) |
$[_______] |
| 403(b) |
[_______________________] |
[____] |
$[_______] |
§ 13-54-102(1)(s); 11 U.S.C. § 522(b)(3)(C) |
$[_______] |
| Defined-Benefit Pension |
[_______________________] |
[____] |
$[_______] |
§ 13-54-102(1)(s) |
$[_______] |
| Traditional IRA |
[_______________________] |
[____] |
$[_______] |
11 U.S.C. § 522(b)(3)(C) and (n) |
$[_______] |
| Roth IRA |
[_______________________] |
[____] |
$[_______] |
11 U.S.C. § 522(b)(3)(C) and (n) |
$[_______] |
| SEP / SIMPLE IRA |
[_______________________] |
[____] |
$[_______] |
11 U.S.C. § 522(b)(3)(C) |
$[_______] |
| Colorado PERA |
[_______________________] |
[____] |
$[_______] |
C.R.S. § 24-51-212 |
$[_______] |
| Federal Civil Service / FERS / TSP |
[_______________________] |
[____] |
$[_______] |
5 U.S.C. § 8346, § 8470 |
$[_______] |
| Military Retired Pay |
[_______________________] |
[____] |
$[_______] |
10 U.S.C. § 1440; 38 U.S.C. § 5301 |
$[_______] |
| Railroad Retirement |
[_______________________] |
[____] |
$[_______] |
45 U.S.C. § 231m |
$[_______] |
3.6 Public Benefits and Assistance — § 13-54-102(1)(o), (u), (v)
| Benefit |
Citation |
Cap |
Value Claimed |
| Public Assistance / TANF |
C.R.S. § 26-2-131 |
Unlimited |
$[_______] |
| Aid to Aged, Blind, Disabled (Old Age Pension) |
Colo. Const. art. XXIV; § 26-2-131 |
Unlimited |
$[_______] |
| Crime Victim Compensation |
C.R.S. § 24-4.1-114 |
Unlimited |
$[_______] |
| Earned Income Tax Credit (federal) |
11 U.S.C. § 522(b)(3); In re Westby |
Unlimited (federal portion) |
$[_______] |
| Colorado EITC / Child Tax Credit |
C.R.S. § 13-54-102(1)(o.5) |
Verify |
$[_______] |
| Social Security Benefits |
42 U.S.C. § 407 |
Unlimited |
$[_______] |
| Veterans' Benefits |
38 U.S.C. § 5301 |
Unlimited |
$[_______] |
| Unemployment Compensation |
C.R.S. § 8-80-103 |
Unlimited |
$[_______] |
| Workers' Compensation |
C.R.S. § 8-42-124 |
Unlimited (with carve-outs for child support) |
$[_______] |
| Disability Benefits (private and statutory) |
§ 13-54-102(1)(s) |
$4,000/month (verify) |
$[_______] |
| Child Support and Maintenance Received |
§ 13-54-102.5; § 14-14-107 |
Reasonably necessary |
$[_______] |
3.7 Wages — Earnings Garnishment Limit — § 13-54-104
| Item |
Detail |
| Disposable earnings |
The greater of (a) 80% of disposable weekly earnings or (b) 40 × Colorado minimum wage per week is exempt; balance subject to garnishment |
| Aggregate Wages on Petition Date (last 30 days unpaid) |
$[_______________] |
| Exempt Portion |
$[_______________] |
| Citation Used |
C.R.S. § 13-54-104 |
PART 4 — MISCELLANEOUS EXEMPTIONS — C.R.S. § 13-54-102.5 and Related Sections
| Item |
Citation |
Cap |
Value Claimed |
| Trust funds (529 plans, qualified tuition programs) |
§ 13-54-102(1)(t) |
Verify subsection and cap |
$[_______] |
| ABLE account |
§ 13-54-102(1)(t.5); 11 U.S.C. § 541(b)(6) |
Verify cap |
$[_______] |
| College savings (CollegeInvest) |
§ 23-3.1-307.4 |
Verify |
$[_______] |
| Health Savings Account |
Verify subsection |
Verify |
$[_______] |
| Public-safety officer death benefits |
§ 24-33.5-411.5 |
Unlimited |
$[_______] |
| Firefighter/police pension |
§ 31-30.5-208 |
Unlimited |
$[_______] |
| Property of the business of insurance (proceeds, dividends, refunds) |
§ 10-7-205 |
Verify |
$[_______] |
| Fraternal benefit society benefits |
§ 10-14-403 |
Unlimited |
$[_______] |
PART 5 — NO STATE WILDCARD
| Question |
Response |
| Did the residency analysis in Section A trigger the federal § 522(d) fall-back? |
☐ Yes ☐ No |
| If Yes, list federal wildcard claim under § 522(d)(5): |
$[_______________] |
PART 6 — DOUBLING FOR JOINT FILERS
| Exemption |
Doubled? |
Notes |
| Homestead (§ 38-41-201) |
No |
Single homestead amount per residence |
| Wearing apparel (§ 13-54-102(1)(a)) |
Yes |
"per debtor or dependent" |
| Jewelry (§ 13-54-102(1)(b)) |
Yes |
"per debtor or dependent" |
| Household goods (§ 13-54-102(1)(e)) |
Verify |
Read current text |
| Motor vehicles (§ 13-54-102(1)(j)) |
Verify |
"kept and used by any debtor" |
| Tools of trade (§ 13-54-102(1)(i)) |
Yes |
Each debtor's own occupation |
| Life insurance cash value (§ 13-54-102(1)(l)) |
Verify |
$250,000 per insured |
PART 7 — TOTAL SUMMARY
| Category |
Total Value |
Total Exempt |
Total Non-Exempt |
| Real Property (Part 1) |
$[_______] |
$[_______] |
$[_______] |
| Personal Property (Part 2) |
$[_______] |
$[_______] |
$[_______] |
| Financial / Insurance / Benefits (Part 3) |
$[_______] |
$[_______] |
$[_______] |
| Miscellaneous (Part 4) |
$[_______] |
$[_______] |
$[_______] |
| TOTAL |
$[_______] |
$[_______] |
$[_______] |
PART 8 — TRUSTEE-RISK FLAGS
| Flag |
Response |
| Any equity exposed above the homestead cap? |
☐ Yes ☐ No |
| Any non-exempt vehicle equity > $0? |
☐ Yes ☐ No |
| Cash, bank balances, or tax refunds with no Colorado exemption shelter? |
☐ Yes ☐ No |
| Anticipated tax refund (Schedule A/B and Form 122A) more than reasonably necessary EITC carve-out? |
☐ Yes ☐ No |
| Pre-petition transfers to insiders within the last year (§ 547(b), § 548)? |
☐ Yes ☐ No |
| Pre-petition transfers to non-insiders within the last 90 days exceeding $600 aggregate (§ 547(c)(8) Chapter 7 threshold; verify current threshold)? |
☐ Yes ☐ No |
| Pre-petition gift or below-FMV transfer within 2 years (§ 548)? |
☐ Yes ☐ No |
| Pre-petition asset conversion from non-exempt to exempt within 1 year? |
☐ Yes ☐ No |
| Any transfer to a self-settled trust within 10 years (§ 548(e))? |
☐ Yes ☐ No |
| Any 1215-day homestead acquisition (§ 522(p))? |
☐ Yes ☐ No |
| § 522(q) misconduct triggers? |
☐ Yes ☐ No |
| Beneficial interest in non-debtor's property (e.g., resulting trust, joint account)? |
☐ Yes ☐ No |
| Lien-strip candidates under § 522(f) (non-PMSI judgment liens; non-possessory non-purchase money security interests in household goods)? |
☐ Yes ☐ No |
PART 9 — § 522(f) LIEN AVOIDANCE TARGETS
| Lien Holder |
Lien Type |
Property Encumbered |
Value of Property |
Lien Amount |
Senior Liens |
Exemption Claimed |
Avoidable? |
| [_______________________] |
☐ Judgment ☐ Non-PMSI Sec. Int. |
[_______________________] |
$[_______] |
$[_______] |
$[_______] |
$[_______] |
☐ Yes ☐ No |
| [_______________________] |
☐ Judgment ☐ Non-PMSI Sec. Int. |
[_______________________] |
$[_______] |
$[_______] |
$[_______] |
$[_______] |
☐ Yes ☐ No |
PART 10 — DEBTOR'S CERTIFICATION
I (we), the undersigned, declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States and the State of Colorado that:
☐ I (we) have reviewed every entry on this worksheet and affirm that the values listed are true, accurate, and complete to the best of my (our) knowledge as of the date below.
☐ I (we) understand that an exemption claim is presumed allowed unless a party in interest objects within 30 days after the conclusion of the meeting of creditors (Fed. R. Bankr. P. 4003(b)).
☐ I (we) understand that intentionally concealing or misrepresenting assets is a federal crime under 18 U.S.C. § 152 and may result in denial of discharge, criminal prosecution, fine of up to $250,000, and imprisonment of up to 5 years.
☐ I (we) have reviewed this worksheet with my (our) bankruptcy attorney or have knowingly elected to proceed pro se.
| Signatures |
Date |
| [DEBTOR NAME], Debtor |
[__/__/____] |
| [JOINT DEBTOR NAME], Joint Debtor (if applicable) |
[__/__/____] |
| [ATTORNEY NAME], Counsel for Debtor (if any) — Colo. Bar No. [______] |
[__/__/____] |
SOURCES AND REFERENCES
- Statutes
- C.R.S. § 13-54-101 et seq. (Personal Property Exemptions)
- C.R.S. § 13-54-102 (Property Exempt — Definitions)
- C.R.S. § 13-54-102.5 (Miscellaneous Exemptions)
- C.R.S. § 13-54-104 (Restrictions on Garnishment of Earnings)
- C.R.S. § 13-54-104.5 (Retirement Plans Exempt)
- C.R.S. § 13-54-107 (Federal Bankruptcy Exemptions Denied — Opt-Out)
- C.R.S. § 38-41-201 (Homestead Exemption)
- C.R.S. § 38-41-201.5 (Disability — Definition)
- C.R.S. § 38-41-201.6 (Proceeds — Insurance — Sale)
- C.R.S. § 38-41-202 (Homestead — Automatic Creation)
- C.R.S. § 24-51-212 (PERA Benefits — Exemption)
- C.R.S. § 26-2-131 (Public Assistance — Exemption)
- C.R.S. § 8-80-103 (Unemployment Compensation — Exemption)
- C.R.S. § 8-42-124 (Workers' Compensation — Assignment Restrictions)
- C.R.S. § 10-7-106 (Life Insurance Proceeds — Exemption)
- 11 U.S.C. § 522(b), (d), (n), (p), (q) (Exemptions; Caps; Limits)
- 11 U.S.C. § 541 (Property of the Estate)
- 11 U.S.C. § 547, § 548 (Preferences and Fraudulent Transfers)
- 18 U.S.C. § 152 (Concealment of Assets — Bankruptcy Crimes)
- 42 U.S.C. § 407 (Social Security — Anti-Assignment)
- 38 U.S.C. § 5301 (Veterans' Benefits — Anti-Assignment)
- 5 U.S.C. § 8346, § 8470 (Federal Civil-Service Retirement)
- 45 U.S.C. § 231m (Railroad Retirement)
- Court Forms
- Official Form 106A/B (Schedules A/B — Property)
- Official Form 106C (Schedule C — Property Claimed as Exempt)
- Official Form 106D (Schedule D — Secured Claims)
- Official Form 122A-1, 122A-2 (Chapter 7 Means Test)
- Local rules and forms, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Colorado (cob.uscourts.gov)
- Practice Notes
- Colorado General Assembly, leg.colorado.gov (verify current dollar amounts; SB 22-086 and subsequent acts)
- Judicial Conference § 104 inflation adjustments (effective April 1 every three years; most recent adjustment April 1, 2025)
- Colorado Bar Association, Bankruptcy Section practice resources