The small claims limit in Fort Collins is $7,500. Filing fees are $31 to $97. Enter your claim amount below to check eligibility and see how to file.
Last updated: May 2026 · Data: MIT Living Wage Calculator, C2ER, U.S. Census, BLS, IRS, state and city sources
Enter your claim amount to see if it qualifies for small claims court in Fort Collins.
Small claims court in Fort Collins handles disputes up to $7,500. Attorneys are generally NOT allowed in Colorado small claims court unless the opposing party is represented by one or the court grants permission, which keeps the process simple. The same $7,500 limit applies to individuals and businesses. Cases are filed at the Larimer County Small Claims Court.
| Detail | Fort Collins Small Claims |
|---|---|
| Maximum Claim | $7,500 |
| Filing Fee Range | $31 to $97 |
| Attorneys Allowed? | No - generally not permitted |
| Where to File | Larimer County Small Claims Court |
| Typical Hearing Time | 30 to 90 days after filing |
| Business Claim Limit | $7,500 |
Fort Collins is a Front Range college town anchored by Colorado State University, with an economy built on research and higher education, semiconductors and hardware, craft brewing, and outdoor recreation at the gateway to the Rocky Mountains.
| Local Metric | Fort Collins (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Metro population | 170,000 |
| County / jurisdiction | Larimer County |
| Cost of living index (US avg = 100) | 103 |
| MIT living wage, single adult | $21.00/hour |
| MIT living wage, one earner supporting a family of four | $42.50/hour |
| Applicable minimum wage | $14.81/hour |
| Average rent, 1-bedroom | $1,500/month |
| Average rent, 2-bedroom | $1,850/month |
| Median home price | $540,000 |
| Median household income | $78,000/year |
| Combined sales tax rate | 7.55% |
| Effective property tax rate | 0.49% of value/year |
Local figures are 2026 estimates compiled from the MIT Living Wage Calculator, the C2ER Cost of Living Index, U.S. Census and Zillow housing data, and city and county sources. Verify current figures before relying on them.
The maximum claim in Fort Collins is $7,500, set by Colorado law. The same $7,500 limit applies to individuals and businesses. Larger disputes must be filed in a higher court.
Attorneys are generally NOT allowed in Colorado small claims court unless the opposing party is represented by one or the court grants permission, which keeps the process simple.
File at the Larimer County Small Claims Court, generally in the county where the defendant lives or does business or where the dispute happened. Filing fees are typically $31 to $97 depending on the claim amount.
Filing fees in Fort Collins run about $31 to $97, and fee waivers are available for low-income filers. You may also have small costs to serve the defendant by certified mail or through the constable or sheriff.
Most small claims hearings in Fort Collins are scheduled within roughly 30 to 90 days of filing. Bring all contracts, receipts, photos, and any witnesses to the hearing.