Colorado timeline
Colorado probate timeline: the 10-day wait and when creditor claims close
The simplified route starts 10 days after death.
In Colorado, claims arising before death close one year after it, sooner once notice is published; each clock is set out below against the event it runs from.
Sources reviewed August 9, 2026. Sources rechecked October 3, 2026. This page last revised .
The one date this page can source
The collection of personal property by affidavit (c.r.s. 15-12-1201) route requires 10 days to elapse from the date of death. This is a precondition: the affidavit or petition cannot be presented before it runs, regardless of how straightforward the estate is.
Source: C.R.S. 15-12-1201, Collection of personal property by affidavit(Colorado General Assembly (Office of Legislative Legal Services); Colorado Revised Statutes 2024).
The section’s own words
less liens and encumbrances, does not exceed twice the amount set forth in section 15-11-403, as adjusted by section 15-10-112; (b) At least ten days have elapsed since the death of the decedent; (c) No application or petition for the appointment of a personal representative is pending or has been granted in any jurisdiction;
Creditor deadlines
- From publication of notice to creditors
- Time set in the published notice, which may be no earlier than four months from date of first publication (C.R.S. 15-12-801; 15-12-803(1)(a)(I))
- From actual notice to a known creditor
- Time set in the written notice to a known creditor (C.R.S. 15-12-803(1)(a)(II))
- Outer limit, running from death
- One year after the decedent's death, as to all creditors (C.R.S. 15-12-803(1)(a)(III))
How these combine. Colorado runs multiple independent, separately-triggered deadlines that cannot be reduced to one honest day count. C.R.S. 15-12-801 requires published notice (at least once during each of three successive weeks) fixing a bar date not earlier than four months from first publication or one year from death, whichever occurs first. C.R.S. 15-12-803(1)(a) bars pre-death claims: (I) creditors barred by publication within the time set in the published notice; (II) creditors barred by written notice within the time set in the written notice; (III) as to all creditors within one year after the decedent's death (outer nonclaim limit). Post-death claims are barred four months after they arise / after PR performance is due (15-12-803(2)).
Source: C.R.S. 15-12-801, Notice to creditors(Colorado General Assembly (Office of Legislative Legal Services); Colorado Revised Statutes 2024).
The section’s own words
a date not earlier than four months from date of first publication or the date one year from date of death, whichever occurs first
General sequence: first week, how long probate takes.
Sources rechecked October 3, 2026: Colorado source list · how sources are checked · report a correction