Colorado Small Claims Claim Preparation Worksheet

IMPORTANT: THIS IS A PREPARATION GUIDE — NOT THE OFFICIAL COURT FORM

Colorado requires the use of official court form JDF 250 (Notice, Claim and Summons to Appear for Trial) for small
claims complaints. This template provides the substantive legal content to help you prepare —
but you must transfer your content to the official form before filing. The official form
is available at https://www.coloradojudicial.gov/self-help-and-forms/self-help-forms/small-claims-notice-and-summons.
Do not file this document directly with the court.

COLORADO SMALL CLAIMS CLAIM PREPARATION WORKSHEET

Use this worksheet to prepare the current JDF 250. It is not a substitute for the
court-issued Notice, Claim and Summons.

DOCUMENT HEADER

CLAIM INFORMATION FOR JDF 250

1. Parties

1.1 Plaintiff [NAME] (“Plaintiff”) is an individual/corporation/LLC with a principal residence/office at the address stated above.
1.2 Defendant [NAME] (“Defendant”) is an individual/corporation/LLC with a principal residence/office at the address stated above.

2. Jurisdiction and Venue

2.1 Confirm that the claim fits C.R.S. § 13-6-403 and that the combined value of the requested money, property, specific performance, rescission, or covenant remedy does not exceed $7,500, exclusive of interest and costs.
2.2 Confirm the place of action under the current small-claims rule and official court instructions. The Judicial Branch's current guidance lists the county where a defendant resides, is regularly employed, has a business office, or attends school; for a restrictive-covenant or security-deposit dispute, it also identifies the county where the real property is located. Do not use the generic transaction-or-occurrence alternatives formerly printed here without current authority.

Selected relief on the current JDF 250:

• ☐ Money, including any supported statutory penalty: $[________________]
• ☐ Return of property described as: [________________________________]
• ☐ Performance of a contract: [________________________________]
• ☐ Setting aside or rescinding a contract: [________________________________]
• ☐ Compliance with a restrictive covenant: [________________________________]

3. Statement of Claim

3.1 On or about [DATE], the parties entered into [describe contract, tort, unpaid loan, property damage, etc.].
3.2 Defendant breached its legal duty/contractual obligation by [specific acts or omissions].
3.3 As a direct and proximate result, Plaintiff suffered monetary damages of $[AMOUNT] and/or is entitled to the following supported nonmonetary relief: [________________________________].
3.4 ☐ If a demand, notice, or opportunity to cure is legally required or factually relevant, identify it and attach proof: [________________________________]. Do not imply that every Colorado small claim requires a prefiling demand.

4. Amount in Controversy

The combined value entered on JDF 250 is $[AMOUNT], which does not exceed the $7,500 small-claims limit. C.R.S. § 13-6-403(1).

5. Prayer for Relief

WHEREFORE, Plaintiff respectfully requests that judgment enter in Plaintiff’s favor and against Defendant for:
a. The money or nonmonetary relief accurately selected and described on JDF 250;
b. Pre- and post-judgment interest only to the extent supported by the claim, agreement, and current law, including C.R.S. § 5-12-102 where applicable;
c. Court costs and fees only as allowed by current law; and
d. Any other relief within the small claims court's authority.

NOTICE REGARDING APPEAL RIGHTS

C.R.S. § 13-6-410 permits either party to appeal under the county-court rules.
Current JDF 250 and JDF 126 state that the notice of appeal and appeal bond must
be filed in County Court within 14 days after entry of judgment. Review current
C.R.C.P. 411, JDF 126, fees, bond requirements, and all later appellate steps.

VERIFICATION

I, [Plaintiff Name], declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of Colorado that the foregoing statements are true and correct to the best of my knowledge.

Date: ___ / ___ / 20___

_____________________________
[Plaintiff Printed Name]
[Plaintiff Signature]

SERVICE PREPARATION

Complete service using the current JDF 250 and court instructions. The current
form states that the plaintiff is responsible for having each defendant served
with the Defendant's Copy by a person age 18 or older who is not a party at least
15 days before trial and for providing written proof of service.

☐ Current service method and server eligibility verified.

☐ Each defendant timely served with the correct court-issued papers.

☐ Written proof of service filed or ready for filing as directed.

OPTIONAL ATTACHMENTS

• Exhibit A – Contract / Invoice / Promissory Note
• Exhibit B – Demand Letter dated [DATE]
• Exhibit C – Damage Calculations

KEY COLORADO SMALL-CLAIMS PARAMETERS (for attorney reference)

• Monetary Ceiling: $7,500, exclusive of costs & interest. Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-6-403(1).
• Allowable Claims: Apply the full jurisdiction and exclusion map in § 13-6-403, including subsection (1)(b)'s specified nonmonetary routes and subsection (2)(h)'s narrow injunctive-relief exceptions. Do not use the former “money damages, replevin, or detention/conversion only” statement.
• Representation: C.R.S. § 13-6-407 governs self-representation, entity representatives, and attorney participation. Section 13-6-408 concerns over-limit counterclaims, not representation. Follow the current JDF 250 and any required JDF 256 attorney notice.
• Appeal: C.R.S. § 13-6-410 permits either plaintiff or defendant to appeal pursuant to county-court rules. The current JDF 250 directs a party wishing to appeal to file a notice of appeal within 14 days of judgment and proceed under C.R.C.P. 411.