Free Colorado Colorado Eviction Complaint (FED)
Colorado Eviction Complaint (FED) — Initiates a Colorado forcible entry and detainer (eviction) action after a notice to quit has expired. Filed by the landlord in county court. Conform to Colorado County Court (FED docket) rules and C.R.S. § 13-40-110.
A Colorado eviction complaint (forcible entry and detainer, or FED) is the document a landlord files to begin an eviction lawsuit after a valid notice to quit has expired without the tenant curing or vacating. Under C.R.S. § 13-40-110, the complaint is filed in the county court for the county where the property is located. The complaint must describe the property, the tenancy, the notice served and its expiration, the grounds for eviction, and the relief sought (possession, unpaid rent, damages, costs). Colorado uses official JDF forms (JDF 99, 101, 102); this worksheet helps organize the required information. The tenant must be properly served, and a return date is set. This form does not replace the official court forms or legal advice.
Colorado FED Complaint at a Glance
Statute
C.R.S. § 13-40-110
Court
CO Court
Filed by
Landlord / Attorney
Authority
C.R.S. § 13-40-110
This is a legal filing — conform to local court rules
Court forms must conform to the rules of Colorado County Court (FED docket) and the applicable statute (C.R.S. § 13-40-110). Filing requirements, formatting, fees, and service rules vary by court and change over time. This worksheet helps organize the required information; it is not a substitute for the official court forms or for legal advice. When in doubt, consult an attorney or the court clerk.
How to Use the Colorado FED Complaint
Identify when the disclosure is required
Confirm the prerequisite is met: a valid Colorado notice to quit (e.g., 10-day demand for compliance or 10-day notice to pay or quit under C.R.S. § 13-40-104) has been served and expired.
Prepare the notice
Gather the underlying documents: lease, the notice served and proof of its service, and a rent ledger if applicable.
Provide the disclosure
Complete this worksheet with the parties, property, grounds, notice details, and relief sought.
Follow statutory timeline
Transfer the information to the official Colorado County Court (FED docket) form(s); pay the filing fee and file in the correct court/precinct.
Document the process
Arrange proper service of process on the tenant and file proof of service. Appear at the hearing.
Generate the Colorado Notice
Complete the fields below to generate a Colorado Colorado eviction complaint. Service should comply with per C.R.S. § 13-40-110 and Colorado County Court (FED docket) rules; retain proof of delivery.
Purpose
Initiates a Colorado forcible entry and detainer (eviction) action after a notice to quit has expired. Filed by the landlord in county court.
1. Parties & Property
From (Landlord / Property Manager)
To (Tenant)
2. Filing Information
3. Notice Content
4. Signature
About This Colorado Notice
A Colorado eviction complaint (forcible entry and detainer, or FED) is the document a landlord files to begin an eviction lawsuit after a valid notice to quit has expired without the tenant curing or vacating. Under C.R.S. § 13-40-110, the complaint is filed in the county court for the county where the property is located. The complaint must describe the property, the tenancy, the notice served and its expiration, the grounds for eviction, and the relief sought (possession, unpaid rent, damages, costs). Colorado uses official JDF forms (JDF 99, 101, 102); this worksheet helps organize the required information. The tenant must be properly served, and a return date is set. This form does not replace the official court forms or legal advice.
Colorado Statutory Requirements
- C.R.S. § 13-40-110 governs the filing
- Valid predicate: a valid Colorado notice to quit (e.g., 10-day demand for compliance or 10-day notice to pay or quit under C.R.S. § 13-40-104) has been served and expired
- Correct court / venue
- Complete petition/complaint contents
- Proper service of process with proof filed
- Filing fee paid
Delivery Methods
- File with the court clerk (e-file where required)
- Serve the opposing party per the applicable service rule
- File proof of service with the court
- Keep stamped copies of everything filed
Common Mistakes
- Filing before the predicate notice has expired
- Defective or improperly served notice
- Wrong court or precinct
- Incomplete description of premises or grounds
- Improper service of process
- Using self-help instead of the court process
Best Practices
- Confirm the predicate is satisfied (a valid Colorado notice to quit (e.g., 10-day demand for compliance or 10-day notice to pay or quit under C.R.S. § 13-40-104) has been served and expired)
- Attach the lease and the served notice
- File in the correct court/precinct
- Describe parties, premises, and grounds precisely
- Effect proper service and file proof
- Never use self-help eviction
- Consult counsel for contested cases
Bottom line
A Colorado eviction complaint must rest on a valid predicate (a valid Colorado notice to quit (e.g., 10-day demand for compliance or 10-day notice to pay or quit under C.R.S. § 13-40-104) has been served and expired) and conform to C.R.S. § 13-40-110 and Colorado County Court (FED docket)’s rules. Proper notice and proper service are the most common failure points. This worksheet organizes the required information but does not replace the official court forms or legal advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Colorado eviction complaint?
Initiates a Colorado forcible entry and detainer (eviction) action after a notice to quit has expired. Filed by the landlord in county court.
What must happen before filing?
The predicate must be satisfied: a valid Colorado notice to quit (e.g., 10-day demand for compliance or 10-day notice to pay or quit under C.R.S. § 13-40-104) has been served and expired. The matter proceeds under C.R.S. § 13-40-110 in Colorado County Court (FED docket).
Which court handles this?
Colorado County Court (FED docket), under C.R.S. § 13-40-110. File in the court for the location where the property sits.
Can I use this instead of the official court form?
No. This is an organizing worksheet. The official Colorado County Court (FED docket) form(s) and current local rules control. Use this to prepare, then complete the official forms.
What is the most common mistake?
Filing before the notice has expired, or defective/improper service of the notice or process. Both are avoidable with careful attention to dates and service.
Do I need a lawyer?
These proceedings are technical and the stakes are high. While self-representation is allowed, consulting an attorney (or Colorado County Court (FED docket)’s self-help center) is strongly recommended, especially if the case is contested.
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