By the founder of SmallClaims
Winning a small claims judgment in Colorado is step one — but the court won't collect the money for you. That's your job, and Colorado law gives you real tools to do it.
This guide walks through every post-judgment collection method available to a Colorado judgment creditor in 2026: how to find the debtor's assets using court interrogatories, how to garnish wages and bank accounts, how to record a real property lien, and what property the debtor can legally shield from you. Each section cites the specific Colorado statute that controls it.
The Court Won't Collect for You — Here's What That Means
The judge issues a judgment at the hearing or shortly afterward. That judgment is entered in the public court record and is enforceable through garnishment, levy, or lien proceedings under Colorado law. But "enforceable" doesn't mean automatic. The court cannot collect your judgment for you. You have to initiate every step yourself.
The matter won't be over if the defendant isn't willing to pay, because the court won't collect the money judgment for you — you'll need to take steps to collect your small claims money judgment yourself. The good news is that Colorado county courts provide standard forms and a defined process that a non-lawyer can follow. The critical first question is: where are the debtor's assets?
Step 1 — Find the Debtor's Assets with Interrogatories
If you do not know where the person or business that owes you money works, where they bank, or where they own property, and the case is in small claims court, you can download and complete JDF 252A Motion and Order for Interrogatories – Short Form, JDF 252B Motion and Order for Interrogatories – Long Form, or Form 7A – Pattern Interrogatories (for a business), then file the form with the court.
These forms ask questions the person or business that owes you money is required to answer. The court will send the form to them, and they will have 14 days to send back their answers. Once you know the debtor's employer, bank, and real property, you can choose the right collection tool — or use more than one simultaneously.
Step 2 — Garnish Wages (the Most Common Starting Point)
Most people try to levy a bank account or garnish wages first because these approaches are usually more fruitful than trying to recover property. Wage garnishment in Colorado requires a court judgment first — Colorado law expressly prohibits garnishing an employee's wages for debt from a consumer credit transaction unless a court enters a judgment.
Colorado's wage garnishment laws are located in Title 13, Article 54 of the Colorado Revised Statutes. Under C.R.S. § 13-54-104, Colorado law permits creditors to garnish the lesser of 25% of the debtor's disposable earnings or the amount of disposable earnings for the week that exceeds 40 times the state or federal minimum wage. Colorado's minimum wage is $15.16 as of January 1, 2026. That means a debtor earning near minimum wage has very little subject to garnishment each pay period.
In Colorado, wage garnishment requires judicial authorization before a creditor can collect from a debtor's earnings. Under C.R.S. § 13-54.5-101 et seq., a creditor must first obtain a judgment confirming the debt's validity. This judgment follows a lawsuit where the debtor has an opportunity to contest the claim. Once granted, the creditor can request a writ of garnishment, directing an employer to withhold a portion of wages. The most common form is continuing wage garnishment, which allows creditors to collect a portion of a debtor's paycheck over time. This method is frequently used for consumer debts, such as unpaid credit card balances and medical bills. A continuing wage garnishment remains in effect until the debt is fully satisfied or terminated by law.
Step 3 — Levy a Bank Account
Non-continuing garnishments target bank accounts or other liquid assets in one-time seizures. Creditors must file separate motions for each instance of collection, often used for securing immediate payment of court judgments. This is called a bank levy or non-continuing writ of garnishment. You serve it on the bank (the "garnishee"), not the debtor's employer.
In a case where personal property of the judgment debtor other than earnings is subject to garnishment, following the service of the writ of garnishment on the garnishee, the person who served the writ shall, as soon as practicable, serve a copy of the writ of garnishment, together with a notice of exemption and pending levy, upon each judgment debtor whose property is subject to garnishment. That notice gives the debtor the chance to claim any exempt funds — such as Social Security benefits, which are shielded from garnishment under federal law.
Step 4 — Record a Real Property Judgment Lien
Recording a transcript of judgment in a county creates a lien on all real property owned by the judgment debtor in that county and any property in that county that the debtor may afterwards acquire. This is governed by C.R.S. § 13-52-102. The lien doesn't force an immediate sale — it attaches to the property so you get paid when the debtor sells or refinances. The lien of such judgment shall expire six years after the entry of judgment, unless prior to the expiration of such six-year period the judgment is revived as provided by law and a transcript of the revived judgment is recorded in the same county.
If you want to force a sale, you'll need a Writ of Execution. A Writ of Execution is a formal order from a court that directs the sheriff of the relevant county to seize and sell the property specifically identified in the writ to satisfy the judgment in question. One major practical caution: Colorado law establishes a homestead exemption that protects a debtor's equity in their primary residence under C.R.S. § 38-41-201. Every homestead is exempt from execution not exceeding $250,000 if occupied as a home by an owner or an owner's family, or $350,000 if the homestead is occupied by an owner who is elderly or disabled. With Colorado home values where they are, forcing a sale is rarely practical on a small claims judgment.
Comparing Your Three Main Collection Tools
The table below contrasts wage garnishment, bank levy, and judgment lien — the three workhorse collection tools in Colorado — so you can decide where to start.
| Collection Method | Governing Statute | How It Works | Key Limits / Risks | Best When… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wage Garnishment | C.R.S. §§ 13-54-104; 13-54.5-101 et seq. | Continuing writ served on employer; withholds portion of each paycheck until paid in full | Capped at lesser of 25% of disposable earnings or amount over 40× state minimum wage ($15.16/hr in 2026); only one writ at a time per debtor | Debtor has steady employment and you know the employer |
| Bank Levy | C.R.S. § 13-54.5-106 | Non-continuing writ served on bank; freezes and transfers funds on deposit up to judgment amount | One-time seizure; if account is low, you get only what's there; debtor must receive exemption notice | Debtor has a known bank account with adequate funds |
| Real Property Lien | C.R.S. § 13-52-102 | Record certified judgment transcript with county clerk; lien attaches to all real property in that county | Lien lasts 6 years (renewable); homestead protects up to $250,000 equity (§ 38-41-201); rarely forces immediate payment on small claims amounts | Debtor owns real property and you're willing to wait for a sale or refi |
Exemptions, Renewals, and Practical Pitfalls
Colorado debtors can claim a range of exemptions beyond the homestead. Certain Social Security income, unemployment benefits, and some retirement accounts are protected under state and federal law. When you serve a bank levy, the notice of exemption and pending levy shall inform the judgment debtor that the judgment creditor intends to seek satisfaction of the judgment out of the judgment debtor's personal property in the possession or control of the garnishee, and shall inform the judgment debtor of their right to claim exempt property. The debtor has a limited window to file a claim of exemption with the court — if they do, a hearing will be scheduled.
Don't let your judgment expire. Execution may issue on any Colorado judgment at any time within twenty years from the entry thereof, but not afterwards, unless revived as provided by law. However, a real property lien lapses in just six years unless you revive and re-record it. Set a calendar reminder well before the six-year mark if the debtor owns property and hasn't paid. A party dissatisfied with a small claims judgment may appeal to the district court within 15 days of judgment entry under C.R.S. § 13-6-311. The district court conducts a de novo review — the case is reheard from the beginning. If the debtor files a timely appeal, collection must pause while the appeal is pending, so check the court docket before you serve garnishment papers.
About SmallClaims: SmallClaims is an independent, founder-run tool that turns plain-English answers into small claims court document drafts for consumers handling their own cases. Our guides cover filing, evidence, and judgment collection. Court rules change over time, so verify the current requirements with your local court before you file.
Get your small claims forms in minutes
SmallClaims is an independent, founder-run tool that turns plain-English answers into small claims court document drafts for consumers handling their own cases. Our guides cover filing, evidence, and judgment collection. Court rules change over time, so verify the current requirements with your local court before you file.
Get started →Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to collect on a Colorado small claims judgment?
Under C.R.S. § 13-52-102, you can issue a writ of execution on a Colorado judgment for up to twenty years from the date it was entered. However, if you record a real property lien, that lien expires six years after entry of judgment — you must revive the judgment and re-record before the six years run out or the lien is lost. Wage garnishment writs are time-limited as well, so you may need to renew them. Build a reminder into your calendar well in advance of each deadline.
What if the debtor claims their bank account money is exempt?
When you serve a bank levy under C.R.S. § 13-54.5-106, the debtor must receive a notice of exemption and pending levy. That notice informs them of their right to claim certain funds as exempt — for example, Social Security benefits and some retirement funds are protected under state and federal law. If the debtor files a written claim of exemption with the court, a hearing will be scheduled. The judge then decides what portion, if any, of the frozen funds the debtor may keep. If the debtor does not file a timely exemption claim, the bank releases the funds to you.
Can I garnish wages and record a lien at the same time?
Yes — Colorado law does not prevent you from pursuing multiple collection methods simultaneously. You can serve a continuing wage garnishment on the employer under C.R.S. § 13-54.5-101 et seq. while also recording a judgment lien with the county clerk under C.R.S. § 13-52-102. However, note that only one continuing writ of garnishment against the same debtor's wages can be satisfied at a time, and priority is determined by the order in which writs are served on the garnishee. Running both tools in parallel is a common and legitimate strategy when you know the debtor has both a job and real property.
What happens if the debtor simply ignores the court's interrogatory questions about their assets?
The debtor is legally required to answer interrogatory forms (JDF 252A or 252B) within 14 days of receiving them from the court. If they fail to respond, you can file a motion asking the court to hold them in contempt. A contempt finding can result in fines or even jail until the debtor complies — which creates strong practical pressure to answer. You file the motion in the same small claims case using the original case number, so no new lawsuit is needed. Keep proof of service of the interrogatories, because that documentation is essential if you need to pursue the contempt route.