Bankruptcy in Colorado
In Colorado you use state exemptions only (exemptions are the property the law lets you keep). Your home (homestead): $250,000 of equity in your home; $350,000 if the home is occupied by an owner, owner's spouse, or owner's dependent who is elderly or disabled.
You file in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Colorado.
Checked against official sources: October 25, 2026. · Free letter and checklist ↓
What you can keep in Colorado
Exemptions are the property the law lets you keep. You use the Colorado list. The federal list is not available in Colorado.
Law: C.R.S. 13-54-107
| What | Colorado exemption |
|---|---|
Home (homestead) | $250,000 of equity in your home; $350,000 if the home is occupied by an owner, owner's spouse, or owner's dependent who is elderly (60 or older) or disabled. The homestead exists automatically when you occupy the home; no recording is needed. It also covers mobile and manufactured homes, trailers, and other dwellings you actually live in, such as an RV, boat, tiny home or yurt. Law: C.R.S. 38-41-201, 38-41-201.6, 38-41-201.7, 38-41-202 |
Car or other vehicle | Up to two motor vehicles or bicycles, $15,000 total; $25,000 total if you, your spouse or your dependent is elderly or disabled. Does not cover snowmobiles, ATVs, boats, travel trailers or motor homes. Law: C.R.S. 13-54-102(1)(j) |
Household goods and clothing | Household goods $6,000; clothing $2,000; jewelry and watches $2,500; library, family pictures and school books $2,000; food and fuel $600; firearms and hunting/fishing gear $1,000; one burial site per person. Amounts are for the debtor and dependents as stated in the law. Law: C.R.S. 13-54-102(1)(a)-(f), (x) |
Tools of your trade | $60,000 in stock in trade, tools, equipment and business materials for your main occupation ($20,000 for another occupation). Farmers: $100,000 in livestock, crops and farm equipment (one exemption per couple). Professional library $3,000. Law: C.R.S. 13-54-102(1)(g), (i), (k) |
Wages | At least 80% of disposable earnings is protected: a creditor can take no more than the smaller of 20% or the amount above 40 times the federal or Colorado minimum hourly wage (whichever leaves you more). Law: C.R.S. 13-54-104(2) |
Retirement accounts | Pensions, retirement plans, deferred compensation, IRAs, Roth IRAs and health savings accounts are exempt (except for child support arrears). Law: C.R.S. 13-54-102(1)(s), (3) |
Public benefits | Workers' compensation, unemployment (employment security) benefits and public assistance are exempt under their own laws. Disability benefits up to $5,000 a month and military pensions/benefits are also exempt. Law: C.R.S. 8-42-124; C.R.S. 8-80-103; C.R.S. 26-2-131; C.R.S. 13-54-102(1)(h), (v) |
Other exemptions |
Law: C.R.S. 13-54-102(1)(w); C.R.S. 13-54-102(1)(o); C.R.S. 13-54-102(1)(l); C.R.S. 13-54-102(1)(n), (u); 13-54-102.5 |
If you use your state's exemptions, you can protect no more than $214,000 of home equity that you acquired in the 1,215 days (about 3 years and 4 months) before you filed. Equity moved from an earlier home in the same state, bought before that period, does not count. The cap does not apply to a family farmer's main home.
Law: 11 U.S.C. 522(p); 90 FR 8941
Amounts: Amounts as set by SB 22-086 (effective April 7, 2022), as printed in the Colorado Revised Statutes 2024 (official OLLS printout). No 2025 or 2026 bill changing these amounts became law. The amounts are not automatically indexed.
The means test in Colorado: first step
Official Form 122A-1 compares your household's yearly income with the median income in Colorado. Here are the official medians:
- 1 person$87,940
- 2 people$109,497
- 3 people$130,850
- 4 people$153,501
- Each extra person+$11,100
Applies to cases filed on or after April 1, 2026. 1 = one earner; 2, 3, 4 = people in the household; add = amount added for each person over 4
Where to file in Colorado
You file in the federal bankruptcy district where you lived (your domicile) for most of the 180 days before filing. Colorado is one district with one court in Denver: https://www.cob.uscourts.gov/locations/denver.
Law: 28 U.S.C. 1408
Divisions: Denver (one location)
Clerk's phone: 720-904-7300
Free help in Colorado
Free letter and checklist
Letter: tell a creditor you filed bankruptcy
Notice to a creditor or debt collector with your case number, court, filing date and chapter.
Checklist: what to gather before you file
Income, tax returns, debts, property and budget papers the federal forms ask about, with Colorado's courts.
Bankruptcy in Colorado by topic
Exemptions in Colorado
Home, car, household goods, wildcard and more, with the law for each.
The means test in Colorado
The official median income and the first-step check.
Where to file in Colorado
The bankruptcy courts, divisions, fees and the 341 meeting.
Good to know in Colorado
- Colorado's homestead is higher ($350,000) if you, your spouse or a dependent living in the home is 60 or older or disabled.
Law: C.R.S. 38-41-201(1)(b)
- Since 2022, the homestead also protects non-traditional homes you live in, such as RVs, boats, tiny homes, yurts and shipping containers.
Law: C.R.S. 38-41-201.7
- Colorado law does not let you avoid a consensual lien (like a car loan) on exempt property.
Law: C.R.S. 13-54-102(5)
Questions about bankruptcy in Colorado
Can I use the federal bankruptcy exemptions in Colorado?
No. Colorado requires you to use the state exemptions.
What is the homestead exemption in Colorado?
$250,000 of equity in your home; $350,000 if the home is occupied by an owner, owner's spouse, or owner's dependent who is elderly (60 or older) or disabled.
How much of a car can I keep in bankruptcy in Colorado?
Up to two motor vehicles or bicycles, $15,000 total; $25,000 total if you, your spouse or your dependent is elderly or disabled. Does not cover snowmobiles, ATVs, boats, travel trailers or motor homes.
What household goods can I keep in Colorado?
Household goods $6,000; clothing $2,000; jewelry and watches $2,500; library, family pictures and school books $2,000; food and fuel $600; firearms and hunting/fishing gear $1,000; one burial site per person. Amounts are for the debtor and dependents as stated in the law.
Are retirement accounts protected in bankruptcy in Colorado?
Pensions, retirement plans, deferred compensation, IRAs, Roth IRAs and health savings accounts are exempt (except for child support arrears).
Are my wages protected in Colorado?
At least 80% of disposable earnings is protected: a creditor can take no more than the smaller of 20% or the amount above 40 times the federal or Colorado minimum hourly wage (whichever leaves you more).
Where do I file bankruptcy in Colorado?
You file in the federal bankruptcy district where you lived (your domicile) for most of the 180 days before filing. Colorado is one district with one court in Denver: https://www.cob.uscourts.gov/locations/denver.
What is the median income for the means test in Colorado?
For cases filed on or after April 1, 2026: 1 person: $87,940; 2 people: $109,497; 3 people: $130,850; 4 people: $153,501; Each extra person: +$11,100.
Where can I get free help with bankruptcy in Colorado?
Colorado Bar Association Pro Se Bankruptcy Clinic (free help with Chapter 7), Colorado Legal Services and Metro Volunteer Lawyers (Denver Bar).