Rules of civil procedure and service of process requirements for Colorado.
Last updated October 22, 2026
Colorado rules for serving a summons and complaint are in the Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure (C.R.C.P.), mainly Rule 4. Subpoenas are covered by Rule 45. Eviction cases also follow Colorado's forcible entry and detainer statute, C.R.S. § 13-40-112.
Colorado doesn't license, register or certify process servers. Any adult who isn't a party to the case can serve. This page covers who can serve, service methods, deadlines and proof of service.
Disclaimer: Laws change, and this page is a plain-language summary, not legal advice. Check the current Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure or ask an attorney before relying on it.
Colorado process servers
Process-serving software: ServeManager
ServeManager is process-serving software used by agencies across Colorado. It tracks every attempt with date, time, GPS and photos, and generates affidavits of service from the job, so your attempt history is ready if a Rule 4(f) motion needs a server's affidavit.
No. Under Rule 4(d), process can be served by any person 18 or older who is not a party to the action. Colorado has no state licensing, registration or certification program. A 2017 bill that would have required process servers to register with the Department of Regulatory Agencies (HB17-1334) failed in committee.
Some work still requires care. In eviction cases, only a person qualified to serve under the C.R.C.P. may serve or post the summons (C.R.S. § 13-40-112). For a step-by-step guide to getting started, see Become a Process Server in Colorado.
The summons is served with a copy of the complaint. Any adult non-party can serve anywhere in the United States (C.R.C.P. 4(d)).
Hand a copy of the summons and complaint to the defendant. You can also deliver it to an agent the defendant has appointed, or one authorized by law, to receive service.
Without a court order, you can leave the papers:
For a minor aged 13 to 17, serve the minor and also a parent or guardian. For a child under 13, serve a parent or guardian. If no parent or guardian is in Colorado, serve the person who has care or control of the minor. For a person with a court-appointed conservator, serve the conservator.
If personal service under Rule 4(e) fails, the party can ask the court to allow delivery to another person. The motion must be supported by an affidavit from the server, and it must state:
The court must find that the party used due diligence, that further attempts would be futile, and that the chosen person is appropriate and likely to give the defendant actual notice. The papers are then delivered to that person and mailed to the defendant's known addresses on or before the delivery date. Service is complete on the date of delivery.
Rule 4(f) doesn't mention email or social media. If you want to try a different method, the order must authorize it.
If the person refuses the papers, service is still good if you know or have reason to identify the person, tell them what the documents are, offer them a copy, and then leave the copy in a conspicuous place.
Mail and publication are allowed only in cases about specific property or status (in rem), unless another law allows it. The party files a verified motion describing the efforts made at personal service and each person's last known address. If the court finds due diligence, it can order:
See What is service by publication?
A defendant in another state can be served the same ways as in Colorado, by any adult non-party. In another country, service must follow an internationally agreed method such as the Hague Service Convention, the foreign country's law, or the foreign authority's direction. The 63-day deadline in Rule 4(m) doesn't apply to service in a foreign country.
The summons and complaint must be served at least 7 days before the appearance date. If the server can't make personal service after a diligent effort, they can post the papers in a conspicuous place on the premises. The plaintiff must also mail a copy to the defendant at the premises by first-class mail. The server endorses the summons with the time and manner of service.
Under Rule 4(c)(2), as amended effective March 16, 2026, an eviction summons can't be served unless it shows the case number assigned by the court (Rule Change 2025(25)). It must also come with the required blank eviction forms.
Any of these government bodies can also be served through a designee authorized to accept service (C.R.C.P. 4(e)(12)).
Any adult who isn't a party can serve a subpoena anywhere in Colorado by delivering a copy to the person named. A signed acknowledgment or waiver of service also works (C.R.C.P. 45(b)(2)). If the subpoena requires attendance, one day's mileage must be tendered at service or within a reasonable time after, and before the appearance date. No tender is needed when the subpoena is issued for the State of Colorado (C.R.C.P. 45(b)(3)).
Unless a court orders otherwise, serve the subpoena at least (C.R.C.P. 45(b)(1)):
Proof of service is made the same way as for a summons under Rule 4(h) (C.R.C.P. 45(b)(4)).
The server must prove service by stating the date, place and manner of service:
Since April 17, 2020, an unsworn declaration that meets Colorado's Uniform Unsworn Declarations Act (C.R.S. § 13-27-101 and following) is enough. It is signed under penalty of perjury, so no notary is needed (Rule Change 2020(13)).
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This page is a general overview of Colorado law, not legal advice. Laws change. Check the current rules or talk to an attorney about your case.
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