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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)).

Checked against official sources: Oct 24, 2026

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 credit card debtEnter 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)

Got court papers? Count your answer deadline →

in the Debt lawsuits section

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 and last check

Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.

Federal sources