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Colorado Probate Deadlines: What to File and When

Every hard date in a Colorado probate — from the 30-day heir notice through the 4-month creditor window and the closing statement rule.

C.R.S. Title 15, Art. 12

By the FigureMyTax Editorial Team · How we calculate

Quick answer: the deadline that anchors most of the schedule is the 4-month creditor window, running from first publication of the notice to creditors — or 60 days from mailed notice, whichever is later. See the full Colorado probate timeline calculator for your specific estimate.

The core deadlines, in order

DeadlineColorado ruleStatute
Information to heirs/devisees mailedWithin 30 days of appointmentC.R.S. § 15-12-705
Inventory dueWithin 3 months of appointmentC.R.S. § 15-12-706
Notice to creditors published3 times over 3 successive calendar weeksC.R.S. § 15-12-801
Creditor claim deadline (with notice)4 months from first publication, or 60 days from mailed notice, whichever laterC.R.S. § 15-12-803
Creditor claim deadline (no notice given)1 year from date of deathC.R.S. § 15-12-801, 803
PR mails notice of disallowanceWithin 60 days after the claim deadlineC.R.S. § 15-12-806
Creditor petitions to challenge disallowanceWithin 63 days of the disallowance noticeC.R.S. § 15-12-806
Earliest closing statement (informal)6 months after appointment or 1 year after death, whichever occurs firstC.R.S. § 15-12-1003

Why the creditor deadline has two triggers

C.R.S. § 15-12-801, § 15-12-803: publishing notice starts a 4-month clock for unknown creditors. But a known creditor who's mailed direct written notice gets the later of that 4-month publication deadline or 60 days from the mailing — so a creditor notified late in the window still gets a genuine 60 days to respond, rather than being cut off by a publication date that already passed.

The absolute fallback: one year from death

If a personal representative never publishes or mails notice at all, Colorado still caps creditor claims at one year from the date of death — longer than the 4-month or 60-day windows that apply once proper notice goes out, which is part of why publishing notice promptly is standard practice rather than optional.

Facing probate in Colorado?

A local probate attorney can review your estate — many offer a free consultation.

Talk to a Colorado attorney

Colorado probate deadlines — frequently asked questions

When must a Colorado personal representative notify heirs?

Within 30 days of appointment, under C.R.S. § 15-12-705. The notice informs heirs and devisees of the proceeding, their right to request copies of the inventory, and their right to contest the appointment or the will's validity.

When is the Colorado Inventory due?

Within three months of appointment, under C.R.S. § 15-12-706, unless the personal representative is a successor to someone who already filed one. Copies go to any heir, devisee, or creditor who requests them in writing.

How does the Colorado creditor deadline actually work?

Notice must be published at least three times over three successive weeks. Unknown creditors then have 4 months from first publication to file; a known creditor who is mailed direct notice gets 60 days from that mailing or the 4-month deadline, whichever is later, under C.R.S. § 15-12-801 and § 15-12-803.

What happens if a Colorado estate never publishes notice to creditors?

Creditors then have up to one year from the date of death to file a claim, rather than the shorter 4-month or 60-day windows that apply once notice is given.

Keep going

Colorado Probate Timeline CalculatorYour estimate, based on your answers What Delays Probate in ColoradoBeyond the statutory floor Informal vs Formal ProbateWhich one applies to your estate Colorado Probate vs Living TrustWould a trust have avoided this?

Estimate for general guidance only, not legal advice. Based on C.R.S. § 15-12-705, 706, 801, 803, 806, 1003. Confirm current deadlines with the District Court, Denver Probate Court, or a licensed Colorado attorney.