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The End of Life Plannerby Valoren

General information · not a substitute for the advice of an attorney.

Free · general informationColorado

Probate in Colorado

What Colorado’s own law and courts say about probate, from how an estate comes before the court to when creditors must claim. Nothing on this page decides whether a particular estate needs probate. That question belongs to the court, or to an attorney in Colorado.

  • Every fact dated, in the official words
  • Each state’s own law

Every quotation checked October 24, 2026

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Every quotation on this page is the official body’s own words, as they stood on the day we read them. The date is beside each one.

The two ways to open probate: by application to the Registrar, or by petition to the court

A probate case may be commenced in one of two ways.

1. By Application to the Registrar (Informal Proceeding). The Registrar may appoint a Nominee as Personal Representative without prior notice to any Interested Persons, if the Nominee has priority for appointment.

2. By Petition to the Court (Formal Proceeding).

Colorado · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · JDF 906 (R: June 8, 2026)

Which county to file in, the earliest the court can act, the personal representative’s age, and a creditor’s wait

If the Decedent resided or was domiciled in a Colorado county, the Application/Petition must be filed in that county.

The Court cannot act on an Application or Petition before 120 hours have elapsed since the time of death.

The nominated Personal Representative must be 21 years of age or older.

A creditor cannot file an Application/Petition for Appointment of Personal Representative until 45 days have elapsed from the date of death.

Colorado · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · JDF 906 (R: June 8, 2026)

What follows the appointment: telling the heirs, the inventory, and how soon each is due

This completed form must be sent to all heirs within 30 days from appointment.

This form must be completed within three months from the date of appointment.

Colorado · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · JDF 906 (JDF 940 Information of Appointment; JDF 941 Inventory)

The notice to creditors: publishing it, sending it to known creditors, and when neither is needed

Unless one year or more has elapsed since the death of the Decedent, the Personal Representative must publish notice to creditors in a local newspaper once a week for three consecutive weeks.

Unless one year or more has elapsed since the death of the Decedent, a Personal Representative must send this form to any known creditors.

Colorado · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · JDF 906 (JDF 943, JDF 944)

Depositing a will with a court, and one district that does not accept them

[a] will may be deposited by the testator or the testator's agent with any court for safekeeping, under rules of the court

The 4th Judicial District does not accept the deposit of any will or codicil for safekeeping under C.R.S. § 15-11-515.

Colorado · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · 4th Jud. Dist. CJO 2026-01; C.R.S. §15-11-515

The same page for other states

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FAQ

Common questions

A probate case may be commenced in one of two ways.

1. By Application to the Registrar (Informal Proceeding). The Registrar may appoint a Nominee as Personal Representative without prior notice to any Interested Persons, if the Nominee has priority for appointment.

2. By Petition to the Court (Formal Proceeding).

Colorado · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · JDF 906 (R: June 8, 2026)

A filing fee of $229.00 is required.

Colorado · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · JDF 906 (R: June 8, 2026)

If the Decedent resided or was domiciled in a Colorado county, the Application/Petition must be filed in that county.

The Court cannot act on an Application or Petition before 120 hours have elapsed since the time of death.

The nominated Personal Representative must be 21 years of age or older.

A creditor cannot file an Application/Petition for Appointment of Personal Representative until 45 days have elapsed from the date of death.

Colorado · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · JDF 906 (R: June 8, 2026)

If the Decedent resided or was domiciled in a Colorado county, the Application/Petition must be filed in that county.

The Court cannot act on an Application or Petition before 120 hours have elapsed since the time of death.

The nominated Personal Representative must be 21 years of age or older.

A creditor cannot file an Application/Petition for Appointment of Personal Representative until 45 days have elapsed from the date of death.

Colorado · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · JDF 906 (R: June 8, 2026)

Unless one year or more has elapsed since the death of the Decedent, the Personal Representative must publish notice to creditors in a local newspaper once a week for three consecutive weeks.

Unless one year or more has elapsed since the death of the Decedent, a Personal Representative must send this form to any known creditors.

Colorado · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · JDF 906 (JDF 943, JDF 944)

The original Will must be filed with the Court.

Colorado · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · JDF 906 (R: June 8, 2026)

For anyone who would rather their family found it all in one place than went looking.

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