How to Answer a Summons for Debt Collection in Colorado (2025 Guide)

Edited by Hannah Locklear

“Man, I can't wait for this collector to sue me!” — said no one ever.

Responding to a debt lawsuit in Colorado might seem intimidating at first, but it's easier than you might think. a little bit easier and tells you how to Answer a Summons for debt collection in Colorado.

Below, you'll find helpful topics on how to Answer a Summons for debt collection in Colorado. This list includes information specific to filing in Colorado, like state deadlines, forms, and filing fees.

Let's jump right in.

Table of Contents

• Deadline
• Forms
• Fees
• 3 Steps to Respond
• Settle debt in Colorado
• Colorado Debt Relief
• Debt Validation
• Statute of Limitations on Debt in Colorado
• Colorado Debt Collection Laws
• Stop wage garnishment in Colorado
• Check the status of your Colorado court case
• Colorado Legal Aid
• Colorado courts
• FAQs about Colorado debt collection
• Key Takeaways

Respond to the lawsuit before the Colorado deadline

Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 12(a)(1) states:

“A defendant shall file his answer or other response within 21 days after the service of the summons and complaint.”

In other words, you have 21 days to file an Answer to a debt collection lawsuit in Colorado. The clock starts ticking after you have officially received the court documents notifying you of the lawsuit, also known as the Summons and Complaint.

If you don't respond to the lawsuit within the deadline, you run the risk of having a default judgment ordered against you. With a default judgment granted, debt collectors can garnish your wages and seize your property.

This is why it's so important to respond to debt collection lawsuits before the deadline.

Colorado Answer to Summons Forms

The easiest and fastest way to draft a response to a debt collection lawsuit is this Answer form. SoloSuit walks you through the process of drafting your Answer in minutes. All you have to do is respond to a few questions about the case.

Here's a sample of SoloSuit's Answer form.

If you would rather draft your own Answer, you can fill out the Colorado Answer form instead. This process might be a little less straightforward, but there are tools on Colorado's judicial branch website that can walk you through it.

Colorado charges a fee to file your Answer

Some states charge an Answer filing fee, and Colorado is one of them.

Unfortunately, you must pay a filing fee in Colorado for the court to accept your Answer and file it into the case records. If you try to send your Answer without paying the fee, the court will simply reject it.

Here are Colorado's civil filing fees:

• The Answer filing fee is $80 if your case involves less than $1,000.
• The Answer filing fee is $100 if your case involves $1,000-$14,999.99.
• The Answer filing fee is $130 if your case involves $15,000-$25,000.
• The Answer filing fee is $192 if your case involves more than $25,000.

If you cannot afford to pay the Answer filing fee, you can request that the court waive your fees by filing a JDF 202 form.

Follow these steps to respond to a debt collection case in Colorado

To begin the lawsuit, the debt collector (known as the “plaintiff”) will serve you with two documents either by mail or in person. These documents are called the Summons and Complaint. The Summons notifies you of the case, while the Complaint lists the specific allegations being made against you.

In Colorado, you have only 21 days to respond by filing an Answer document. Here are three steps to help you draft your Answer and respond to the Complaint:

1. Answer each allegation listed in the Complaint.
2. Assert your affirmative defenses.
3. File the Answer document with the court and send a copy of it to the plaintiff.

Let's check out each step. Don't like reading? Watch this video instead:

1. Answer each issue of the Complaint.

Answering the complaint can be scary, but with these instructions, it will be simple.

The first section of your Answer should focus on responding to the allegations outlined in the Complaint document. Find the numbered list of allegations in the Complaint and then decide how you want to respond to each one. You should list your responses in a corresponding, numbered list.

You can answer each allegation in one of three ways:

• Admit: this is like saying, “This is true.”
• Deny: this is like saying, “Prove it.”
• Deny due to lack of knowledge: this is like saying, “I don't know.”

Many attorneys recommend making a general denial, where you deny everything in the Complaint and force the other side to prove everything. You can use SoloSuit's Answer form to respond in minutes or Colorado's form, following its instructions.

2. Assert your affirmative defenses.

After you've responded to each allegation, you're ready to move on to the next section of your Answer document: where you assert your affirmative defenses.

An “affirmative defense” is a reason why the person suing doesn't have a case.

More specifically, Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 8(c) states:

“In pleading to a preceding pleading, a party shall set forth affirmatively accord and satisfaction, arbitration and award, assumption of risk, contributory negligence, duress, estoppel, failure of consideration, fraud, illegality, injury by fellow servant, laches, license, payment, release, res judicata, statute of frauds, statute of limitations, waiver, and any other matter constituting an avoidance or affirmative defense. Any mitigating circumstances to reduce the amount of damage shall be affirmatively pleaded.”

This is the fancy, legal way to say that if there is any reason the debt collector or creditor suing you shouldn't win, you must affirmatively state it in your Answer document. Here are some common affirmative defenses used in debt collection cases:

• The account with the debt is not your account.
• The contract was already canceled. Therefore you don't owe the creditor anything.
• The statute of limitations has expired. A statute of limitations is a law that sets a deadline on an action. In this case, the statute of limitations sets the deadline at 6 years, so you can't be sued for a debt based on a contract from six years ago.
• The debt has been paid or excused.
• The debt has been partially paid.
• You were a co-signer but were not informed of your rights as a co-signer.

You should note that not being able to pay the debt is not a valid affirmative defense.

As you can see from the Rule 8(c) cited above, there is a technical way to state your affirmative defenses in your Answer. SoloSuit can help you include your affirmative defenses with the right legal jargon.

Make the right affirmative defense the right way with SoloSuit.

3. File the Answer with the court and send a copy to the plaintiff.

Believe it or not, a lot of people get this far and then never actually file their Answer. Don't be one of those people.

Here's what you need to do to properly file your Answer:

• Print two copies of your Answer.
• Mail one copy to the court.
• Mail the other copy to the plaintiff's attorney (also known as the attorney representing the person or company that is suing you).

The address for both should be in the Summons and Complaint you received in the mail. Remember, you have 21 days to file your Answer.

SoloSuit can file your Answer for you in all 50 states.

Settle debt in Colorado

Debt settlement involves offering less than the total value of the debt. Creditors will often agree when the debt is too small to justify taking you to court or when the offered settlement amount saves them time, legal expenses, and the hassle of a lawsuit.

You have a few options when settling a debt. You can pursue it on your own, or you can hire a debt settlement company. You can also choose to utilize a tool like SoloSettle, which leverages technology to help you initiate, track, and manage the debt settlement process.

Whichever route you choose, there are three primary steps to settle debt in Colorado.

1. File an Answer in response to the debt lawsuit.
2. Make an initial settlement offer to start the negotiation process.
3. Ensure you get it in writing when you’ve reached a settlement agreement.

There are advantages to hiring a debt settlement company. A reputable debt settlement company should know how to negotiate for the lowest settlement possible with each of your creditors, and they handle the back-and-forth negotiations and make payments for you until the settlement is fulfilled.

However, their great marketing and slick promotional materials often fail to disclose the downside of using such a service. The first step a debt settlement company advises is to stop paying your creditors and deposit the money you would have used to pay creditors into this “savings account” managed by the debt settlement company.

While this is happening, all your accounts become delinquent while the debt settlement company works to negotiate a plan. Meanwhile, your credit score will continue to decline, and it can take years to rebuild after completing the debt settlement process.

Whether you decide to use a debt settlement company, attempt to settle on your own, or use a tool like SoloSettle, there are some things you should know about debt settlement.

• Start your settlement offer at less than you can afford to pay so that you have some room to negotiate if the creditor doesn’t accept your initial offer.
• The IRS may consider forgiven debt as taxable income, which can change your tax situation for that year.
• Settling a debt can have a negative impact on your credit score. However, you can include negotiating for the debt to be removed or marked as current and paid on your credit report. If you include this in your settlement negotiations, ensure you get it in writing to ensure the creditor follows through after the debt is paid.

In the following video, we interview a licensed attorney and ask for tips on how to negotiate debt settlement on your own.

If debt settlement is not the right choice, or if your creditor is unwilling to participate in settlement talks, you still have other options for debt relief. Let’s explore those below.

How to find debt relief in Colorado

Like other American consumers, Colorado residents feel the strain of rising inflation, soaring home prices, and other economic pressures. As a result, many consumers have accrued an uncomfortable amount of debt and are seeking debt relief options.

Colorado debt relief options include:

• Colorado debt relief and financial assistance programs
• Debt management plans
• Debt consolidation loans
• Bankruptcy
• Debt forgiveness
• Debt settlement

We’ll explore each option so that you can decide which is the best option for your situation.

Utilize these Colorado debt relief and financial assistance programs

Non-profit debt consolidation and credit counseling programs are available for Colorado residents. Visit InCharge to speak with a counselor and explore your options.

Colorado also offers medical, low-income housing, and food assistance. You can explore what assistance you may be eligible for by visiting the PEAK website. While these services are not debt relief, they may help relieve some of your financial burden, leaving more money to put toward reducing debt.

Take out a debt consolidation loan

A debt consolidation loan can allow you to pay off all your unsecured debt. Ideally, the loan would have a lower interest rate than what you currently pay on your unsecured debt. However, as interest rates continue to climb, it’s crucial that you make sure you don’t jump from the frying pan into the fire. Though making one monthly note and only dealing with one lender may seem like the best solution, it’s crucial that you:

1. Read the fine print of the loan terms and ensure you’re not paying more interest than you currently pay on your unsecured debts.
2. Know yourself and your budget well. Too many consumers take out a debt consolidation loan with the best of intentions. However, once the credit cards and other unsecured debts are paid, they may reaccumulate unsecured debt while still paying on the debt consolidation loan. As a result, they end up in even more outstanding debt than when they started the process.

Remember that taking out a debt consolidation loan is not a quick fix for debt relief. To solve your debt problem, you have to pay off the loan without acquiring new debt.

You can research debt consolidation by exploring new credit cards with an introductory 0% APR, but make sure you can make the payments on time and have the debt repaid before the introductory rate disappears.

You may also be able to secure a personal loan at a lower interest rate than what you’re paying on your unsecured debt.

Consolidating your debt with a loan can help you feel more in control of your finances and reduce the stress of dealing with multiple creditors. It may also save you money by borrowing at a lower interest rate and eliminating late fees and other costs.

Debt settlement

Like we mentioned in the previous section, debt settlement is a great way to find debt relief in Colorado. It allows you to pay off a portion of the debt owed to clear your name of it. In this sense, debt settlment can be a win-win situation: the collectors gets some money, and you save some.

Here's our guide on how to settle a debt in 3 steps that will teach you the best tactics to negotiate debt and come to an agreement, all while protect your consumers rights.

Create a debt management plan

There are debt management and debt relief programs that can help you create a customized plan to get out of debt.

A good debt management company will offer credit counseling to help consumers learn responsible debt management techniques moving forward. These agencies can create a personalized plan to help you get out of debt by working with credit card companies and other creditors to negotiate debt reduction. However, their services come with fees, so you need to factor in the costs when determining if this is the route you should take.

Not all debt counseling companies are credible; some exploit overwhelmed and stressed consumers. Before contracting with a company, ensure they are accredited by the National Foundation for Credit Counselling (NFCC). The Fair Trade Commission (FTC) also allows you to check that a company hasn’t been red-flagged. The FTC also warns of scams perpetuated against desperate consumers.

Request debt forgiveness

Asking a creditor to forgive your debt is a long shot, but it doesn’t hurt to try. Some credit card companies and other lenders have programs that allow them some flexibility in working with consumers.

You will need to be prepared to be honest about your circumstances, such as health issues, family problems, or job loss. Even if they’re unwilling to forgive the debt completely, some compassionate lenders may be willing to reduce interest and fees or provide a longer timeframe for you to repay the debt.

File bankruptcy

Bankruptcy should be the last resort for debt relief. However, when all other methods have failed, it can give you a fresh start and alleviate the stress and worry of feeling like you’re drowning in debt. When you file bankruptcy, your debtors have to halt all collection attempts immediately.

Most consumers rely on Chapter 7 bankruptcy, which stays on your credit report for ten years. If you have significant assets to protect, Chapter 13 bankruptcy may be the right option for you–but it typically results in paying back a portion of what you owe.

The impact on your credit report cannot be overstated. You may find it hard to find a landlord who will rent to you, be unable to buy a car without paying outrageous interest, and find it impossible to get a mortgage.

>>Read the FastCompany article: Debt Lawsuits Are Complicated: This Website Makes Them Simpler To Navigate

>>Read the NPR story on SoloSuit. (We can help you in all 50 states.)

What if I haven't been sued yet?

If you've only received a collections notice, but not a lawsuit, the best way to respond is with a Debt Validation Letter. When a debt collector contacts you in any way, whether it's by phone or mail, you can respond by formally requesting a debt validation. The Debt Validation Letter notifies the collector that you dispute the debt and requires them to provide proof that you owe the debt. They can't call you or continue collecting until they provide validation of the debt. This flowchart shows how you can use a Debt Validation Letter to win.

Get started with a Debt Validation Letter here.

Check the statute of limitations on debt in Colorado

Before you agree to make any payments to a debt collector, you should check the statute of limitations on your debt first.

The statute of limitations is the time limit that a debt collector or creditor has to sue someone for a debt they owe. The statute of limitations clock starts to run on the date of your last payment on an account. This means that if a debt collector reaches out about an old debt, and you start making payments on the account, the clock will restart on the statute of limitations.

The statute of limitations is different in every state. According to Colorado law, CO Rev Stat § 13-80-101 states:

“(1) The following civil actions, regardless of the theory upon which suit is brought, or against whom suit is brought, shall be commenced within three years after the cause of action accrues, and not thereafter:

(a) All contract actions, including personal contracts and actions under the "Uniform Commercial Code", except as otherwise provided in section 13-80-103.5.”

This means that Colorado debt collectors only have three years to sue you for a credit card debt.

Similarly, CO Rev Stat § 13-80-103.5 states:

“(1) The following actions shall be commenced within six years after the cause of action accrues and not thereafter:

(a) All actions to recover a liquidated debt or an unliquidated, determinable amount of

money due to the person bringing the action, all actions for the enforcement of rights set forth in any instrument securing the payment of or evidencing any debt, and all actions of replevin to recover the possession of personal property encumbered under any instrument securing any debt; except that actions to recover pursuant to section 38-35-124.5 (3), C.R.S., shall be commenced within one year;

(b) All actions for arrears of rent;”

This means you cannot be sued for rental debt debt that is more than six years old.

The table below outlines Colorado's statute of limitations on different types of debt:

Statute of Limitations on Debt in Colorado

Debt Type	Deadline
Credit Card	6 years
Medical	6 years
Student Loan	6 years
Auto Loan	6 years
Mortgage	6 years
Personal Loan	6 years
Judgment	6 or 20 years
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-80-103.5

Colorado debt collection laws shield consumer from unfair treatment

All Colorado consumers enjoy protection from federal regulations outlined in the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). The FDCPA prevents debt collectors from:

• Contacting you at inconvenient times and places, especially before 8 am or after 9 pm.
• If they’ve received a Debt Validation Letter within 30 days of their initial contact with you, they cannot continue to contact you. The debt collector must then cease all contact until they can validate the debt.
• Debt collectors cannot harass or abuse you, nor can they threaten arrest or jail time for an unpaid debt.

In addition to the FDCPA, Colorado debt collection laws are enacted to protect consumers from unfair treatment by collectors.

Colorado takes consumer protection a step further in C.R.S.A. § 5-16-105, which declares that once a collection agency is informed that a consumer has hired an attorney, all communication must go through the attorney. It also states debt collectors should not call a debtor's workplace if they know the debtor's employer prohibits these types of calls at work.

The Colorado Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (CFDCPA) closely aligns with the protections outlined in the FDCPA. Consumers whose rights have been violated can file a complaint with the Colorado Attorney General’s Office or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Debt collectors who fail to adhere to the CFDCPA can face fines and penalties, and consumers can file a lawsuit to recoup any damages they may have sustained by debt collectors who didn’t follow the law.

Stop wage garnishment in Colorado

Creditors, debt collectors, government tax authorities, and other entities can file suit against you for unpaid debts. If successful, this can result in a wage garnishment order that allows them to receive a portion of your weekly pay until the debt is satisfied. A wage garnishment can be devastating if you’re already struggling to make ends meet.

Wage garnishments without a lawsuit

Only a few entities can garnish your wages without first taking you to court. If you owe back taxes, child support, or student loans, you may find yourself facing a wage garnishment without first being sued.

Creditors, on the other hand, must first file a lawsuit against you. If you’ve received a Complaint and Summons in Colorado, file an Answer within 21 days to avoid a default judgment and subsequent wage garnishment against you. Filing an Answer preserves your rights in the lawsuit while you work to settle or dispute the debt. Once you have filed an Answer, creditors are more likely to consider debt settlement to avoid the legal expenses of actually going to trial.

Colorado wage garnishment laws

Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-54-104 states that creditors can garnish wages for the lesser of:

• 20% of your disposable weekly earnings, or
• Whatever you make that exceeds 40 times the state’s minimum wage

Colorado’s current minimum wage is $14.42 per hour. The term “disposable income” can be misleading. In budgeting, we tend to think of disposable income as the money left over after paying all of our financial obligations. However, for the purpose of a wage garnishment, disposable income is your earnings after deductions like state and federal taxes and health insurance are deducted.

The limits for wage garnishment for child support in Colorado are established under Colo. Rev. Stat § 13-54-104. It states that those owing back child support can have their wages garnished up to 65% of their disposable income.

There are limited options for stopping wage garnishment in Colorado

If your goal is to stop wage garnishment in Colorado, you don't have a ton of options. Assuming you owe the debt, the simplest and easiest way to stop a garnishment is to pay the creditor the full amount owed. If you don’t have access to the funds to do so, consider the following options:

• Do you have things you could sell to satisfy the debt?
• Is it possible to borrow the money from friends or family members?
• Do you have access to equity you can borrow against, such as a home equity loan? Be careful when considering going into more debt to pay a debt. Ensure that once the wage garnishment judgment is satisfied, you can repay the loan.

The final option to consider is bankruptcy. As we discussed above, bankruptcy should be a last resort option. However, if a wage garnishment has left you without sufficient funds to support yourself and your family, it may be time to consider relief through bankruptcy. Remember that child support, alimony, and back taxes cannot be discharged during a bankruptcy.

Check the status of your Colorado court case.

If you’ve been sued for debt in Colorado, you need to carefully monitor your case's progress and check the status of your Colorado court case. Most debt collection cases will be heard in the small claims division of the county court where you live if the debt is $7,500 or less. If the debt is larger than that, it will be filed in the district court.

You can request your court records online, but be prepared to wait at least 7-10 days to receive them by mail. You can request your records through the online portals for county courts or for district courts.

Colorado also provides an online docket search to let you see if you have a pending lawsuit and its status through this online platform. You’ll need to know some or most of the following information.

• Court type
• Case number
• Your name
• The date the case was filed

The search results will provide basic information such as the hearing date, how and where to appear in court, and any action required by you.

Utilize Colorado legal aid organizations

Hiring an attorney can be tricky and expensive. Luckily, the state of Colorado has several legal aid organizations that can help people who cannot or do not want to hire a lawyer and are representing themselves. Here are some of the prominent legal aid organizations in Colorado:

• Legal Aid Foundation of Colorado
• Colorado Legal Services
• Free Legal Clinics in Colorado

Colorado court locations

If you don't feel comfortable sending your court documents over e-file, you can always visit your courthouse and file in person. Use this Colorado Courts Directory tool to find the address of your courthouse. Just click on the county where you live, and a new page will open where you can scroll to the bottom to find the courthouse address.

Knowing where your courthouse is located can help you be better prepared for your trial and stay updated on your case status.

Fore more information about your court, or to get started with the process of drafting and filing your Answer in Colorado, find your local court in the list below.

• In the Lincoln County Court State of Colorado
• In the 20 Th Judicial District Court Boulder County Combined Courts Longmont State of Colorado
• In the Summit County Justice Center State of Colorado
• In the Archuleta County Courthouse State of Colorado
• In the La Plata County Courthouse State of Colorado
• In the San Juan County Courthouse State of Colorado
• In the Delta County Combined Court State of Colorado
• In the Gunnison County Courthouse State of Colorado
• In the Kit Carson County Combined Court State of Colorado
• In the Logan County Combined Court State of Colorado
• In the Morgan County Justice Center State of Colorado
• In the Phillips Combined Court State of Colorado
• In the Baca County Court State of Colorado
• In the Dolores Combined Court State of Colorado
• In the Lindsey Flanigan Court State of Colorado
• In the Larimer County Court State of Colorado Fort Collins Branch
• In the Garfield Associate Court, Garfield County, State of Colorado
• In the Larimer County Court State of Colorado Loveland Branch
• In the Pueblo County Court State of Colorado
• In the County of Adams District Court State of Colorado
• In the Elbert County Court State of Colorado
• In the Montezuma County Court State of Colorado
• In the Boulder County Court State of Colorado
• In the Denver County Court State of Colorado
• In the El Paso County Court State of Colorado
• In the Arapahoe County County Court State of Colorado
• In the Adams County Justice Center State of Colorado
• In the District Combined Court, Boulder County State of Colorado
• In the Denver County Courts State of Colorado
• In the El Jebel Court, Eagle County State of Colorado
• In the Pitkin County Court Pitkin County Courthouse State of Colorado
• In the Gilpin Combined Court State of Colorado
• In the Denver District Court State of Colorado
• In the Huerfano County Courthouse State of Colorado
• In the Las Animas County Courthouse State of Colorado
• In the Teller County Courthouse State of Colorado
• In the Clear Creek County Courthouse State of Colorado
• In the Lake County Justice Center State of Colorado
• In the Hinsdale County Courthouse State of Colorado
• In the Montrose County Justice Center State of Colorado
• In the Ouray County Courthouse State of Colorado
• In the San Miguel County Courthouse State of Colorado
• In the Jackson County Combined Court State of Colorado
• In the County Court, Garfield County Colorado
• In the Rio Blanco Combined Court State of Colorado
• In the Pueblo Combined Court State of Colorado
• In the Chaffee Combined Court State of Colorado
• In the Custer Combined Court State of Colorado
• In the Fremont Combined Court State of Colorado
• In the Park Combined Court State of Colorado
• In the Alamosa Combined Courts State of Colorado
• In the Conejos Combined Court State of Colorado
• In the Costilla Combined Court State of Colorado
• In the Mineral Combined Court State of Colorado
• In the Saguache Combined Court State of Colorado
• In the Sedwick Combined Court State of Colorado
• In the Washington Combined Court State of Colorado
• In the Yuma County Courthouse State of Colorado
• In the Grande County Judicial Center State of Colorado
• In the Moffat Combined Court State of Colorado
• In the Routt Combined Court State of Colorado
• In the Cheyenne County Courthouse State of Colorado
• In the Kiowa County Combined Court State of Colorado
• In the Prowers County Combined Court State of Colorado
• In the Bent Combined Court State of Colorado
• In the Crowley Combined Court State of Colorado
• In the Otero Combined Court State of Colorado
• In the Broomfield County Court State of Colorado
• In the Arapahoe County Justice Center State of Colorado
• In the Douglas County Courthouse State of Colorado
• In the Weld County Courthouse State of Colorado
• In the Mesa County Justice Center State of Colorado
• In the Rio Grande County District Court, Colorado
• In the Jefferson County Courts Jefferson Combined Court State of Colorado
• County Court, Jefferson County, Colorado
• In the Eagle County Justice Center State of Colorado

FAQs about Colorado Debt Collection

What is the percentage of civil cases in Colorado that are related to debt collection?

According to Pew research data from nine states, including Colorado, show that in 2021, 42% of civil lawsuits were the result of debt collection lawsuits. Debt collectors frequently buy debt in bulk from various creditors, and more and more frequently, they then file a lawsuit against the debtor, hoping for a default judgment.

A study by the Center for Responsible Lending found that in a random selection of lawsuits filed by debt collectors, 71% of them resulted in default judgments because the defendant failed to file an Answer or appear before the court. Debt collectors are relying on the number of defendants who are not fighting back to cost-justify the number of debt collection lawsuits they file.

What does the Complaint look like in a Colorado court, and what specific information does it contain?

If you owe less than $7,500 and the debt collector is suing you, you should receive notice by mail or through a process server. The Complaint will contain important information about the allegations against you. At a minimum, the complaint should contain:

• The name, address, and phone number of the creditor bringing suit against you (plaintiff)
• Your name, address, and phone number (defendant)
• The date the trial is scheduled
• The amount the plaintiff alleges you owe
• Facts supporting the case

If you owe more than $7,500, the case will be heard in district court. However, the service of process and complaint you receive should contain similar information.

What are the options if a default judgment has already been issued?

If a default judgment has been issued, the defendant still has options. If the debt is rightfully yours, and the law was followed in obtaining the default judgment, it may be best to pay it in a lump sum to remove any liens or wage garnishments.

However, if the default judgment was made in error, it can be vacated by the court. Some examples of why a court would relieve a defendant from a final judgment include:

• Fraud or misrepresentation by the adverse party
• Mistakes, surprises, or excusable neglect
• The summons was not personally served in time to allow the defendant to Answer

Even after a default judgment, you can still send a Debt Validation Letter. The proof of the debt should be in the court file, but if you failed to file an Answer or appear in court, that proof may have never been examined. It's essential to gather all the necessary information and understand your rights before taking any further action.

What court is typically involved in debt collection cases in Colorado?

If the amount in dispute is less than $15,000, it will be heard in the county court where it was filed. Debts that exceed $15,000 will be heard in the district courts.

What does the Summons look like, and what specific information does it contain in a Colorado debt collection lawsuit?

According to Colo. R. Civ. P.4, a Summons will contain all of the information below:

• The name of the court
• The county where the action is filed
• The names of the involved parties
• The time when the defendant is required to appear and defend against the claims listed in the Complaint
• The name, address, and registration number of the plaintiff’s attorney

According to the state’s rules of civil procedure, the Complaint should be served with the Summons, allowing the defendant time to file an Answer and preserve their standing in the lawsuit.

Key Takeaways

So, in short, here's the review on how to Answer a Summons for debt collection in Colorado.

• The deadline to respond to a debt collection lawsuit in Colorado is 21 days.
• Use SoloSuit's Answer form to draft your response.
• Colorado courts charge an Answer filing fee that ranges from $80-$192, depending on the type of case.
• You can draft your own Answer with SoloSuit where you respond to each allegation against you and assert your affirmative defenses.
• File the Answer in the court before the deadline, and send a copy to the opposing attorney.
• The statute of limitations on credit card debt is three years in Colorado.

How to Answer a Summons for debt collection in all 50 states

Here's a list of guides on how to respond to a debt collection lawsuit in each state:

The Ultimate 50 State Guide

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont; Vermont (Small Claims court)
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

Guides on how to resolve debt with every debt collector

Are you being sued by a debt collector? We’re making guides on how to resolve debt with each one.

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• ARC Collections
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• ARstrat
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• Balekian Hayes
• Bay Area Receivables
• BCA Financial Services
• BC Services
• Benuck and Rainey
• Berlin-Wheeler
• Bluebonnet Financial LLC
• Bonneville Collections
• Bull City Financial
• Bureaus Investment Group
• Cach LLC
• Caine and Weiner
• Capio Partners
• Capital Accounts
• Capital Collections
• Capital Management Services
• CardWorks
• Carmel Financial/New Coast Direct
• Cavalry SPV I LLC
• CBCInnovis
• CBCS Collections
• CBE Group
• CBV Collections
• CCB Credit Services
• CCS Collections
• CCS Offices
• Central Mediation Services
• Central Portfolio Control
• Cerastes LLC
• Choice Recovery
• Choice Recovery Inc
• CKS Financial
• CKMS Financial
• Client Services
• CMRE Financial Services
• COAF
• Coast Professional
• Comenity Bank Debt Collection
• Commonwealth Financial
• ConServe Debt Collection
• Consumer Collection Management
• Contract Callers Inc
• Convergent Healthcare Recoveries
• Convergent Outsourcing
• Couch Conville & Blitt
• Covington Credit
• CRDT First
• Credco in Court
• Credence Resource Management
• Credit Bureau Systems
• Credit Control Corporation
• Credit Management Company
• Credit Management LP
• Credit Systems
• Credit Systems
• CSIEZPay
• CTC Debt Collector
• CVCS Debt Collection
• Cypress Financial Recoveries
• D&A Services
• Daniels, Norelli, Cecere & Tavel P.C.
• DCM Services
• Debt Recovery Solutions
• Delanor Kemper & Associates
• Department Stores National Bank
• Direct Recovery Associates
• Discover Collections
• Diversified Adjustment
• Diversified Consultants
• Diversified Recovery Bureau
• DNF Associates, LLC
• Dodeka LLC
• DRS Credit
• Dynamic Collectors
• Eagle Loan
• Eagle Accounts Group, Inc.
• Eastern Account System
• EduCap
• Ellington and Associates Collections
• Encore Capital Group
• Enerson Law
• Enerson Law LLC
• Enhanced Recovery Company
• EOS CCA
• ERC Collections
• ERSolutions
• Estate Information Services
• Equable Ascent Financial
• Everest Business Funding
• Executive Credit Management
• Faber and Brand
• Factual Data
• Falls Collection Service
• FBCS
• FCO Collections and Outsourcing
• FIA Card Services
• fin rec svc (Financial Recovery Services)
• First Federal Credit Credit Control
• First Financial Bank
• First Portfolio Ventures LLC
• First Progress
• FirstPoint Collection Resources
• Firstsource Advantage
• FMA Alliance
• FNB Omaha
• Forster & Garbus
• Franklin Collection Services
• Freedom Plus
• Freshview Solutions
• Frontline Asset
• Frost Arnett
• Fulton Friedman & Gullace LLP
• Galaxy International Purchasing, LLC
• GC Debt Collection
• GC Services
• General Revenue Corporation
• GLA Collections
• Glass Mountain Capital
• Glasser and Glasser
• Global Credit Collection Corp
• Global Trust Management
• GMAC Financing
• Golden 1 Credit Union
• Grant and Weber
• Grant Mercantile Agency
• Gulf Coast Collection Bureau
• Gurstel
• Halsted Financial Services
• Harris and Harris
• Harvard Collection
• Harvest Credit Management
• Helvey and Associates
• Hollis Cobb
• Holloway Moxley
• Hosto Buchan
• Howard Lee Schiff
• H&R Accounts
• HRRG
• Hudson & Keyse LLC?
• Hunter Warfield
• IC System
• Impact Receivables Management
• Innovative Recovery
• Integras Capital Recovery LLC
• Javitch Block
• JHPDE Finance 1 LLC
• JP Receivables Management Partners
• JPMCB card
• Kenneth Eisen and Associates
• KeyBank student loans
• Kinum
• Kirschenbaum, Phillips & Levy P.C.
• KLS Financial Services
• Kramer & Frank
• Lakeside Collection
• Lending Club
• Lincoln and Morgan Kabbage
• Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson LLP
• Lockhart Collection Agency
• LJ Ross Associates
• LTD Collections
• Malcolm S. Gerald and Associates
• Malen & Associates
• Mandarich Law Group
• Mannbracken
• Marcam Associates
• MARS Inc. Collections
• MBA Law
• MCA Management Company
• McCarthy, Burgess & Wolff
• Meade & Associates
• Medicredit
• Mercantile Adjustment Bureau
• Merchants Credit Association
• MGM Collections
• Michael J Adams PC
• Midland Funding LLC
• Mid-South Adjustment
• Monarch Recovery
• Monterey Financial
• Moss Law Firm
• Mountain Land Collections
• MRS Associates
• MRS BPO
• MSW Capital LLC
• Mullooly, Jeffrey, Rooney & Flynn
• Nathan and Nathan PC
• National Collegiate Trust
• National Credit Adjusters
• National Credit Care
• National Credit Systems
• National Enterprise Systems
• National Recovery Agency
• National Recovery Solutions
• Nationstar
• Nationwide Credit
• Nationwide Recovery Services
• Nationwide Recovery Systems
• NCEP LLC
• NCO Financial Systems Incorporated
• North American Recovery
• Northland Group
• Northstar Capital Acquisition
• Northstar Location Services
• NPAS
• NRC Collection Agency
• Oliver Adjustment Company
• Oliphant Financial, LLC
• Oportun
• P&B Capital Group
• PCB Collections Agency
• Palisades Collection LLC
• Pallida LLC
• Paragon Contracting Services
• Paragon Revenue Group
• Payday Loan Debt Collectors
• Pendrick Capital Partners
• Penn Credit
• Perdue Brandon
• Persolve LLC
• Phillips & Cohen Associates
• Phoenix Financial Services
• Pioneer Credit Recovery
• PMAB LLC
• PRA Group, Inc.
• Pressler, Felt & Warshaw LLP
• Prestige Services, Inc.
• Prince Parker and Associates
• ProCollect
• Professional Finance Company
• Progressive Management Systems
• Provest Law
• PYOD LLC
• Quaternary Collection Agency
• RAB Collection Agency
• Rash Curtis and Associates
• Radius Global SOL
• Radius Global Solutions
• Rawlings Company
• Razor Capital
• Real Time Resolutions
• Receivables Performance Management
• Regents and Associates
• Reliant Capital Solutions
• RentGrow
• Resurgent
• Resurgent Capital Services and LVNV Funding
• Revco Solutions
• Revenue Enterprises LLC
• Revenue Group
• RGS Financial, Inc.
• RMP LLC in Court
• RMP Services
• RS Clark and Associates
• RSIEH
• RSIEH
• RTR Financial Services
• Rubin & Rothman
• Salander Enterprises LLC
• Samara Portfolio Management
• SCA Collections
• Scott Parnell and Associates
• Second Round Collections
• Second Round Sub LLC
• Selip & Stylianou LLP
• Sequium Asset Solutions
• Sessoms and Rogers
• Sherman Acquisition
• Sherman Financial Group
• SIMM Associates
• Source Receivables Management
• Southern Management Systems
• Southwest Credit Group
• Spire Recovery Solutions
• SRS Company
• Stark Collection Agency
• State Collection Service
• Stenger and Stenger
• Stillman Law Office
• Summit Account Resolution
• Sunrise Credit Services
• Superlative RM Debt Collector
• Suttell and Hammer
• Synergetic Communication
• Synerprise Consulting
• The Law Office of Michael J Scott
• Trellis Company
• Troy Capital
• TRS Recovery Services
• TrueAccord
• Tulsa Teachers Credit Union
• UCB Collection
• UHG 1, LLC
• Unifin
• Unifin Debt Collector
• Unifund
• Universal Credit Services
• US Bank Collections
• USAA collections
• USCB America
• Valentine and Kebartas
• Valley Servicing
• Vance & Huffman LLC
• Van Ru Credit Corporation
• Velo Law Office
• Velocity Investments
• Viking Client Services
• Wakefield and Associates
• Waypoint Resource Group
• WCTCB
• Weinberg and Associates
• Weltman, Weinberg & Reis
• Westwood Funding
• Williams and Fudge
• Wilshire Consumer Credit
• Wolpoff & Abramson
• Worldwide Asset Purchasing
• www.AutomotiveCredit.com
• Zarzaur & Schwartz
• Zwicker & Associates

Resolve your debt with your creditor

Some creditors, banks, and lenders have an internal collections department. If they come after you for a debt, Solosuit can still help you respond and resolve the debt. Here’s a list of guides on how to resolve debt with different creditors.

• American Express; American Express – Debt Collection
• Bank of America
• Barclay
• Best Buy Credit Card
• Capital One
• Chase
• Credit One Bank
• Old Navy Credit Card
• PayPal Synchrony Card
• Regional Finance
• Retailers National Bank
• Reunion Student Loan Finance Corporation
• SYNCB/PPEXTR
• Synchrony Bank
• Synchrony Walmart Card
• Target National Bank
• Webbank
• Wells Fargo
• Can I Pay My Original Creditor Instead of a Debt Collection Agency?
• Can I Settle a Debt with the Original Creditor?

Settle your medical debt

Having a health challenge is stressful, but dealing medical debt on top of it is overwhelming. Here are some resources on how to manage medical debt.

• Am I Responsible for My Spouse's Medical Debt?
• Do I Need a Lawyer for Medical Bills?
• Do I Need a Lawyer to Fight Medical Bill Debt?
• Does Bankruptcy Clear Medical Debt?
• How Much Do Collection Agencies Pay for Medical Debt?
• How to Find Medical Debt Forgiveness Programs
• Is There a Statute of Limitations on Medical Bills?
• Medical Debt Statute of Limitations by State
• Summoned to Court for Medical Bills — What Do I Do?
• Summoned to Court for Medical Bills? What to Do Next

Guides on arbitration

If the thought of going to court stresses you out, you’re not alone. Many Americans who are sued for credit card debt utilize a Motion to Compel Arbitration to push their case out of court and into arbitration.

Below are some resources on how to use an arbitration clause to your advantage and win a debt lawsuit.

• How Arbitration Works
• How to Find an Arbitration Clause in Your Credit Agreement
• How to Make a Motion to Compel Arbitration
• How to Make a Motion to Compel Arbitration in Florida
• How to Make a Motion to Compel Arbitration Without an Attorney
• How Credit Card Arbitration Works
• Motion to Compel Arbitration in California
• Sample Motion to Compel Arbitration

Stop calls from debt collectors

Do you keep getting calls from an unknown number, only to realize that it’s a debt collector on the other line? If you’ve been called by any of the following numbers, chances are you have collectors coming after you, and we’ll tell you how to stop them.

• 1-800-390-7584
• 800-289-8004
• 800-955-6600
• 8009556600
• 877-366-0169
• 877-591-0747
• 800-278-2420
• 800-604-0064
• 800-846-6406
• 877-317-0948
• 888-899-4332
• 888-912-7925
• 202-367-9070
• 502-267-7522

Federal debt collection laws can protect you

Knowing your rights makes it easier to stand up for your rights. Below, we’ve compiled all our articles on federal debt collection laws that protect you from unfair practices.

• 15 USC 1692 Explained
• Does the Fair Credit Reporting Act Work in Florida?
• FDCPA Violations List
• How to File an FDCPA Complaint Against Your Debt Collector (Ultimate Guide)
• How to Make a Fair Debt Collection Practices Act Demand Letter
• How to Submit a Transunion Dispute
• How to Submit an Equifax Dispute
• How to Submit an Experian Dispute
• What Debt Collectors Cannot Do — FDCPA Explained
• What Does Account Information Disputed by Consumer Meets FCRA Requirements Mean?
• What does “meets FCRA requirements” mean?
• What does FCRA stand for?
• What is the Consumer Credit Protection Act