Denver Courthouse Guide for Personal Injury Claims

Denver is Colorado's only combined city-county, which means all state court matters — district court, county court, probate, and juvenile — are handled within a single judicial district. Personal injury lawsuits are filed in Denver District Court, located in the City and County Building at 1437 Bannock Street, Denver, CO 80202. The building houses the civil division of Denver District Court and Denver County Court's traffic and civil divisions.

The Lindsey-Flanigan Courthouse at 520 W. Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO 80204, handles criminal and some other matters. If you are filing a personal injury lawsuit, your case will be processed at the City and County Building, not the Lindsey-Flanigan Courthouse.

Colorado venue rules (C.R.S. 13-40-101 et seq.) generally require you to file in the county where the defendant resides or where the accident occurred. If your accident happened in Denver, you file in Denver District Court. If it happened in a neighboring county — such as Arapahoe, Jefferson, or Adams — you file in that county's district court instead.

Denver District Court hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Phone: (720) 865-8301. Denver County Court civil division phone: (720) 865-7840.

Colorado uses the Integrated Colorado Courts E-Filing System (ICCES) for electronic filing. Attorneys are required to e-file all civil documents through ICCES at efilingcolorado.gov. Self-represented litigants are encouraged to e-file but may also file documents in person at the clerk's office. If you choose not to e-file as a self-represented party, there is a $50 surcharge for in-person filing on documents that could have been e-filed.

To file your lawsuit, prepare a complaint that states the facts of the accident, identifies each defendant, explains the legal basis for liability, and specifies the damages you seek. Colorado is a notice-pleading state — your complaint must give the defendant fair notice of your claims and the grounds supporting them. Include the date, location, and circumstances of the accident, the defendant's negligent acts, your injuries, and the relief you request.

After filing, the court assigns a case number. You must serve each defendant with the summons and complaint. In Colorado, service can be made by the sheriff, a private process server, or any person over 18 who is not a party to the case (C.R.S. 13-7-101 through 13-7-104). The defendant has 21 days after personal service to file a response (35 days if served by mail or publication).

For ICCES technical support, contact the Colorado Judicial Department Help Desk at (888) 297-5879 or email efiling_support@judicial.state.co.us.

Filing fees in Colorado are set by statute and were increased effective January 1, 2025, under House Bill 2024-1286. District court civil filing fees vary based on the amount of the claim. For personal injury cases filed in Denver District Court (claims over $25,000), expect a filing fee in the range of $235 to $300 depending on the specific claim amount and applicable surcharges. County court civil filing fees (claims $25,000 or less) are lower, typically ranging from $97 to $160.

Small claims filing fees in Colorado range from $31 to $55 depending on the amount of the claim (C.R.S. 13-6-403). Contact the Denver County Court clerk at (720) 865-7840 or the Denver District Court clerk at (720) 865-8301 for the exact current fee for your case type before filing.

If you cannot afford the filing fee, Colorado provides a fee waiver process. File a Motion to File Without Payment (JDF 205) with your complaint. The court will review your financial situation to determine eligibility. If your household income is at or below 185% of the federal poverty guidelines, you may qualify.

Beyond the filing fee, expect additional costs: service of process fees ($30 to $65 for sheriff service), deposition transcript fees, expert witness fees, and potential mediation costs. Most personal injury attorneys in Denver work on contingency — they advance these costs and recover them from your settlement or verdict.

Colorado's small claims court handles disputes where the claim is $7,500 or less, exclusive of interest and costs (C.R.S. 13-6-403). If your personal injury damages — medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering combined — exceed $7,500, you cannot use small claims court.

Colorado organizes civil cases into three tiers. Small claims handles cases of $7,500 or less. County court handles civil cases from $7,501 to $25,000. District court handles cases over $25,000. In Denver, both county court and district court are located in the City and County Building at 1437 Bannock Street, which simplifies logistics.

Small claims court is faster and more informal — hearings are typically scheduled within 30 to 90 days, the rules of evidence are relaxed, attorneys are allowed but not required, and filing fees are lower. However, the $7,500 cap is strict. Most personal injury cases involving even a single ER visit will exceed $7,500 in medical bills alone, making county court or district court the appropriate venue.

One key difference: in small claims court, there is no right to a jury trial, and the magistrate's decision is final with limited appeal options. In county and district court, you have the right to a jury trial for personal injury claims.

Colorado provides free online case search through the Colorado Judicial Branch website at courts.state.co.us. You can search Denver District Court and Denver County Court cases by case number, party name, or attorney name. The system shows docket entries, hearing dates, and case status.

For more detailed information, registered ICCES users can access filed documents through the e-filing portal. You can also visit the clerk's office in person at the City and County Building during business hours to review physical case files.

Denver County Court also maintains a public docket search portal at denvercountycourt.org. These systems are useful for tracking your case deadlines, monitoring motions filed by the opposing party, and confirming hearing dates and courtroom assignments.

The City and County Building at 1437 Bannock Street is a large civic building located in downtown Denver's Civic Center district. When you arrive, expect security screening at the entrance — empty your pockets, remove belts, and send bags through the X-ray machine. Cell phones are allowed but must be silenced in courtrooms. No weapons are permitted.

Arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled hearing. Check the docket board or ask the clerk's office to confirm your courtroom assignment. Dress professionally — business casual at minimum. Address the judge as 'Your Honor.' If you are self-represented, the judge may provide some guidance on procedures, but you are expected to follow the same rules as attorneys.

Parking in downtown Denver is limited and can be expensive. Metered street parking, nearby parking garages (including one at the Denver Performing Arts Complex), and RTD light rail (Civic Center Station on the D, E, and H lines is two blocks away) are all options. Plan for parking time if driving.

If your injury was caused by a government entity — the City and County of Denver, the State of Colorado, a school district, or any other public entity — you face a critical additional requirement. Under the Colorado Governmental Immunity Act (CGIA), you must file a written notice of claim within 182 days of discovering the injury (C.R.S. 24-10-109). This is roughly six months, and the clock starts running from the date you knew or should have known about the injury and its cause.

The notice must be in writing and sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, to the correct entity. For claims against the City and County of Denver, send the notice to the Denver City Attorney's Office. For claims against the State of Colorado, send it to the Attorney General's Office. The notice must identify the claimant, describe the injury, state the time and place of the incident, and specify the amount of damages claimed.

Even after filing a timely notice, you must still file your lawsuit within the applicable statute of limitations. Government tort claims in Colorado are complex because of sovereign immunity, the short notice deadline, and damage caps under the CGIA. If a government entity may be responsible for your accident — a pothole on a Denver street, a defective traffic signal, or an injury on city property — consult an attorney immediately to preserve your rights.

If you were injured in Denver and you are considering filing a lawsuit, take our free 2-minute assessment. You will answer a few quick questions about your accident and injuries, and we will give you a personalized report that includes Colorado's filing deadline for your specific claim, whether your case would likely land in small claims, county court, or district court, and whether connecting with a personal injury attorney makes sense for your situation.

Filing a lawsuit is a big step — but understanding your options should not be. Our assessment is free, confidential, and gives you the information you need to make an informed decision about what comes next.