Statute of limitations on debt in Colorado

6 years to sue on a written contract or an open account (Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-80-103.5(1)(a) (6 years to collect a debt or a set amount of money owed)).

Short answer

A new promise or acknowledgment counts only if it is in writing and signed by you. The law says this does not change the effect of a payment, so a payment may restart the clock.

Written contracts
6 years
Open accounts and unwritten agreements
6 years

Colorado's time limits to sue on a debt

Law
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-80-103.5(1)(a) (6 years to collect a debt or a set amount of money owed)
Official text
Read the law

With 6 years, Colorado shares the most common limit in our 48 state guides (22 states). Nearby, the written-contract limit is 10 years in Wyoming, 5 years in Nebraska, 5 years in Kansas and 5 years in Oklahoma.

Colorado rules when a collector sues, and your rights

  • A collector who sues you must file in the county (judicial district) where you live now or where you signed the contract. (C.R.S. § 5-16-111(1))
  • If a debt buyer sues, the court papers must include a copy of the original agreement and other records about the debt; for medical debt, an itemized bill. (C.R.S. § 5-16-111(2))
  • 2024: a collection agency that is not the creditor or debt buyer may sue only if the original creditor's name appears first in the case caption and it has a full assignment with settlement authority (H.B. 24-1380, C.R.S. § 5-16-111(1.5), effective Aug. 7, 2024); training-repayment costs an employer may recover count as a 'debt' under the act (H.B. 24-1324, C.R.S. § 5-16-103(8)(a.5)).

If a collector breaks the rules: You can sue a collector who breaks the Colorado act for your actual damages, up to $1,000 in extra damages, and court costs and lawyer fees. You must sue within 1 year of the violation. You cannot collect twice for the same violation under both state and federal law.

Does paying restart the time limit in Colorado?

A new promise or acknowledgment counts only if it is in writing and signed by you. The law says this does not change the effect of a payment, so a payment may restart the clock. (C.R.S. § 13-80-113)

Is my debt too old? Check Colorado's time limit

Colorado: 6 years for a written contractEnter the date of your last payment to see when the time limit ends.

An old debt in a Colorado court

The time limit protects you only if you raise it, so answer on time. In Colorado: County court: the summons gives a date and time. You must file a written answer before then, or go to court at that date and time and file it there. Filing an answer has a fee; if you cannot afford it, you can go to court on that date, fill out a financial form and ask the court to waive the fee. (Colorado County Court Civil Summons, Form 1)

If you do not file an answer, the court may enter a default judgment against you for what the collector asked for. (Colorado County Court Civil Summons, Form 1)

What to do if you are sued in Colorado

Handling an old debt in Colorado

  1. Think before you pay or sign

    In Colorado: A new promise or acknowledgment counts only if it is in writing and signed by you. The law says this does not change the effect of a payment, so a payment may restart the clock.

  2. Dispute the debt in writing

    A dispute letter sent within 30 days of the validation notice makes the collector verify the debt.

  3. Report a suit on an old debt

    Complain to Colorado Attorney General, Consumer Credit Unit (Collection Agency Program) and to the CFPB at consumerfinance.gov/complaint. Phone: (720) 508-6022.

Old debts under federal law

Under federal law, a collector must not sue or threaten to sue you on a debt that is too old to sue on (12 CFR 1006.26(b)). Most collection accounts can stay on a credit report for up to 7 years from 180 days after you first fell behind (15 U.S.C. 1681c). Read the time-barred debt guide.

Free help in Colorado

Questions about old debts in Colorado

What is the statute of limitations on debt in Colorado?

6 years for written contracts and 6 years for open accounts and unwritten agreements (Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-80-103.5(1)(a) (6 years to collect a debt or a set amount of money owed)).

If I pay part of an old debt in Colorado, does the time limit start over?

A new promise or acknowledgment counts only if it is in writing and signed by you. The law says this does not change the effect of a payment, so a payment may restart the clock. (C.R.S. § 13-80-113)

Related Colorado pages

Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.

Federal sources