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JDF126

Instructions to File a Small Claims or County Civil Appeal

Colorado · Colorado Judicial Branch · Effective September 1, 2025

This document provides instructions for filing an appeal for a civil case or a small claims case in a county court. It explains that an appeal asks a higher court to review the case based on law, and it details the required forms and steps for filing.

Open the official PDFfrom Colorado Judicial Branch

Where this fits in a case

Appeal

Stage: Appeal

This form is used by a party who believes a judgment from a county or small claims court was wrong and wishes to appeal that judgment to the District Court.

Either party may file.

Common questions

What is an appeal?
An appeal is not a new trial. It is a chance to ask the District Court to review the original county court civil or small claims case based on the law if a party thinks the judgment was wrong.
What must the appealing party file and when?
The appealing party (Appellant) must file the Notice of Appeal and the Appeal Bond in the County Court within 14 days of the judgment. They must also file the Notice of Appeal in the District court within 35 days after filing it in the County or Small Claims court.
Are there fees involved?
A filing fee of $13.00 is required. If you cannot pay, you must use the Motion to File without Payment and Supporting Financial Affidavit (JDF 205) and submit it to the Court.

Revision history

No changes recorded since we started tracking this form on October 10, 2026. The current version took effect September 1, 2025.

Related forms

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    This form is a Notice of Appeal used to officially tell the court that a case is being appealed. It is filed to start the process of taking a case from a County Court to a District Court.

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    This form is used to tell the court which official records, or transcripts, need to be included in an appeal case. It asks the filer to list specific events and dates for the transcripts.

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    This form is used to ask the court to create written records, or transcripts, of events that happened in court. It asks the person filling it out to list the specific court dates and events they want recorded.

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