Miss a deadline in Denver’s courts and watch your case stall before the first hearing. Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure establish strict timeframes that attorneys, paralegals, and property managers must follow. Understanding these requirements prevents dismissed cases, extended litigation, and costly delays.
The 63-Day Service Window
Colorado courts require service on defendants within 63 days (nine weeks) of filing the complaint. This hard deadline is not negotiable. If service does not occur within this window, the court may dismiss the action without prejudice against that defendant or order service within a specified time. Only a showing of good cause allows an extension.
For plaintiffs, this means process servers must be engaged immediately after filing. Waiting even two weeks can create problems if the defendant proves difficult to locate or deliberately avoids service. Professional process servers build in buffer time to handle unexpected complications.
The 14-Day Filing Requirement
Service alone does not establish jurisdiction. If more than 14 days elapse after service before filing the complaint, jurisdiction over that defendant does not attach. This rule catches many legal professionals off guard. The summons and complaint must be served together, or the complaint must reach the court clerk within two weeks of service.
This tight window creates a coordination challenge. Attorneys who serve documents first must track filing deadlines carefully. Missing this requirement forces re-service and resets the entire timeline.
Defendant Response Deadlines
Once properly served, the clock starts for the defendants. According to Colorado Rule of Civil Procedure 12, a defendant must file an answer or other response within 21 days after service of the summons and complaint. This three-week period applies to service completed within Colorado.
For service completed outside Colorado or by publication, defendants have 35 days to respond. The extended timeframe acknowledges the additional complications of out-of-state service.
If defendants file a motion to dismiss or request a more definite statement, responsive pleadings must be filed within 14 days after the court’s ruling or after service of the amended pleading.
Special Considerations for Eviction Cases
In forcible entry and detainer (eviction) proceedings, trials must be scheduled no sooner than seven days but not more than ten days after the answer is filed. These compressed timeframes make proper initial service even more critical. Any delay in service pushes back the entire eviction timeline, costing property managers both time and rental income.
Why Accurate Serve® Denver Delivers on Time
Accurate Serve® of Denver understands that timeframes make or break legal cases. Our team tracks every deadline from initial filing through final service. We maintain detailed records with GPS coordinates and time stamps, providing the documentation courts demand. When weather, remote locations, or evasive defendants threaten to derail service, our local expertise and strategic planning keep cases moving forward.
For reliable process serving that respects Colorado’s strict timeframes, contact Accurate Serve® of Denver. We also provide document retrieval, skip tracing, and diligent search services. Call (303) 501-7121 or submit a work request online today.
