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Mechanics Lien Deadlines in Colorado

In Colorado, most claimants must file a lien statement within 4 months after last furnishing work or materials (day laborers within 2 months after completion), after a 10-day notice of intent, and must sue within 6 months after last work or completion.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Colorado at a glance

Deadline to record lien
4 months
Two months after completion for labor by the day or piece without furnishing materials.
Preliminary notice required
Yes (notice of intent 10 days before filing)
No notice at job start is required, but a notice of intent must be served at least 10 days before the lien statement is filed.
Deadline to enforce lien
6 months after last work or completion
A notice that the action was commenced must also be recorded within that time.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Colorado

How long does a contractor have to file a mechanics lien in Colorado?

Deadline to record lien in Colorado: 4 months. Two months after completion for labor by the day or piece without furnishing materials.

Is a preliminary notice required before filing a mechanics lien in Colorado?

Yes (notice of intent 10 days before filing). Preliminary notice required in Colorado: yes (notice of intent 10 days before filing). No notice at job start is required, but a notice of intent must be served at least 10 days before the lien statement is filed.

How long do you have to foreclose a mechanics lien in Colorado?

Deadline to enforce lien in Colorado: 6 months after last work or completion. A notice that the action was commenced must also be recorded within that time.

Where do the Colorado mechanics lien deadlines come from?

The rules above come from Colo. Rev. Stat. 38-22-109 and Colo. Rev. Stat. 38-22-110. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

Good to know

SB26-074 (signed April 6, 2026) addressed when a lien amount is excessive and what costs a lien may include. Its official summary does not describe any change to these filing or suit deadlines.

What this means in practice

Deadlines often differ by role. The period for a general contractor who dealt directly with the owner can be different from the period for a subcontractor or supplier, and residential projects can have their own rules. Check which category fits before relying on a single number.

The event that starts the clock matters as much as the length of the period. Depending on the statute, it can be the last day labor or materials were furnished, completion of the project, or the recording of a notice of completion or commencement by the owner. Keeping dated records of the last work performed helps establish the start date.

Recording a lien is not the end of the process. If the debt is not paid, the claimant generally has to file a lawsuit to foreclose the lien within the enforcement period, or the lien expires. When the debt is paid, the owner will usually want a signed lien release recorded so the title is clear.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.