STATE OF COLORADO
[DISTRICT/COUNTY] COURT
[___] Judicial District
Court Address: [COURT STREET ADDRESS, CITY, CO ZIP]
[PLAINTIFF NAME(S)],
Plaintiff(s),
v.
[DEFENDANT NAME(S)],
Defendant(s).
Case No.: [__]
Division: [] Courtroom: []
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DEFENDANT’S ANSWER, AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES,
AND [OPTIONAL] COUNTERCLAIMS TO PLAINTIFF’S COMPLAINT
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[// GUIDANCE: This pleading template is drafted for use in Colorado state trial courts and complies with the Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure (“C.R.C.P.”). Customize bracketed items, add or delete affirmative defenses, and review local practice standards before filing.]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Preliminary Statement .............................................. 2
- Answer to Numbered Allegations ..................................... 2
- General Denial of Un-pleaded Matters ............................... 3
- Affirmative Defenses ............................................... 3
- Counterclaims (If Any) ............................................ 5
- Prayer for Relief .................................................. 6
- Reservation of Rights ............................................. 6
- Verification (If Required) ........................................ 6
- Signature Block ................................................... 7
- Certificate of Service ........................................... 7
1. PRELIMINARY STATEMENT
1.1 This Answer is timely filed within the period prescribed by Colo. R. Civ. P. 12(a)⸺21 days after service of the Summons and Complaint (35 days if service was effected outside Colorado, or as otherwise extended by order of the Court).
1.2 Pursuant to Colo. R. Civ. P. 8(b)(1), Defendant [DEFENDANT NAME] (“Defendant”) responds to each allegation of the Complaint. Any allegation not expressly admitted is denied.
1.3 Headings are for convenience only and shall not affect the interpretation of this pleading.
[// GUIDANCE: If Defendant has already filed a Rule 12(b) motion, adjust deadlines and reservations accordingly.]
2. ANSWER TO NUMBERED ALLEGATIONS
[// GUIDANCE: Replicate the exact numbering scheme used in the Complaint. Admit, deny, or state “without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief” per C.R.C.P. 8(b).]
2.1 Paragraph 1: Defendant admits that … [FACT-SPECIFIC ADMISSION].
2.2 Paragraph 2: Defendant denies the allegations contained in Paragraph 2.
2.3 Paragraph 3: Defendant is without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 3 and therefore denies the same.
⋮
2.n Paragraph n: Defendant denies each and every allegation therein.
3. GENERAL DENIAL OF UN-PLEADED MATTERS
3.1 Defendant denies all allegations, express or implied, not specifically admitted herein.
4. AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES
[// GUIDANCE: Affirmative defenses MUST be pled in the Answer or risk waiver. Customize and delete as needed. Cite C.R.C.P. 8(c) where applicable.]
Without admitting any liability, Defendant asserts the following separate and independent affirmative defenses under Colo. R. Civ. P. 8(c):
4.1 Failure to State a Claim: The Complaint fails to state a claim upon which relief can be granted.
4.2 Lack of Standing: Plaintiff lacks standing to bring some or all claims.
4.3 Statute of Limitations: One or more claims are barred by the applicable limitation period(s).
4.4 Accord and Satisfaction.
4.5 Payment and Set-Off.
4.6 Waiver.
4.7 Estoppel.
4.8 Laches.
4.9 Unclean Hands.
4.10 Comparative Negligence (if tort claims are alleged).
4.11 Failure to Mitigate Damages.
4.12 Force Majeure / Impossibility / Impracticability.
4.13 Reservation of Additional Defenses: Defendant reserves the right to assert additional defenses that may become known through discovery. See C.R.C.P. 15(a).
5. COUNTERCLAIMS (IF ANY)
[// GUIDANCE: Under Colo. R. Civ. P. 13(a)–(b), assert compulsory or permissive counterclaims here or in a separate pleading filed contemporaneously. Delete this section if no counterclaims are asserted.]
5.1 Parties: Counter-claimant [DEFENDANT NAME] incorporates all prior paragraphs of this Answer as if fully set forth herein.
5.2 Jurisdiction & Venue: This Court has jurisdiction over the counterclaims pursuant to [LEGAL BASIS] and venue is proper under C.R.C.P. 98.
5.3 General Allegations: [FACTUAL BASIS FOR COUNTERCLAIM].
5.4 Claim One – [TITLE OF COUNTERCLAIM]
a. Defendant realleges ¶¶ []–[].
b. [ELEMENTS & FACTS].
c. WHEREFORE, Counter-claimant seeks the relief set forth in Section 6 below.
5.n Additional Counterclaims as Applicable.
6. PRAYER FOR RELIEF
WHEREFORE, Defendant respectfully requests that the Court:
a. Dismiss Plaintiff’s Complaint with prejudice;
b. Enter judgment in favor of Defendant and against Plaintiff;
c. Award Defendant its costs and reasonable attorney fees as allowed by law;
d. [If Counterclaims: Award damages on Defendant’s counterclaims in an amount to be proven at trial]; and
e. Grant such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper.
7. RESERVATION OF RIGHTS
Defendant reserves the right to amend this Answer, to assert additional affirmative defenses, and to add or amend counterclaims upon discovery of further information, pursuant to Colo. R. Civ. P. 15(a).
8. VERIFICATION (IF REQUIRED)
[// GUIDANCE: Colorado generally does not require verification of Answers unless a specific statute so mandates. Include only if applicable.]
9. SIGNATURE BLOCK
Respectfully submitted this ___ day of [Month], 20__.
[ATTORNEY NAME], # [BAR NO.]
[LAW FIRM NAME]
[STREET ADDRESS]
[City], Colorado [ZIP]
Telephone: []-[]-[____]
Email: [EMAIL ADDRESS]
Attorney for Defendant
10. CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I hereby certify that on this ___ day of [Month], 20__, a true and correct copy of the foregoing Defendant’s Answer, Affirmative Defenses, and [Optional] Counterclaims was served via [E-Filing / U.S. Mail / Personal Service / Email] on the following:
[Opposing Counsel Name]
[Law Firm]
[Address / Email]
[Attorney Name or Authorized Agent]
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END OF DOCUMENT
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[// GUIDANCE:
1. Filing Deadline – Colo. R. Civ. P. 12(a) sets the default 21-day window (35 days for out-of-state service). Verify any extensions (e.g., by stipulation or Rule 4(f) service).
2. Page Limits – Some Colorado district courts impose page limits on pleadings; consult local practice standards.
3. Formatting – Use 14-point font, double-spacing, and one-inch margins unless local rules dictate otherwise.
4. E-Filing – Register with Colorado Courts E-filing (CCE) for electronic submission; keep the original signature page for inspection per C.R.C.P. 121 § 1-26.
5. Counterclaims – Compulsory counterclaims under Rule 13(a) must be pleaded now or are forever barred.
6. Affirmative Defenses – Plead every colorable defense; they can later be refined or withdrawn. Unpled affirmative defenses are typically waived.
7. Confidential Information – Redact personal identifying information under C.R.C.P. 5.2.
8. Attorney Fees – Identify statutory or contractual fee-shifting bases if seeking fees.
]