(a) Procedure Governed. These rules govern the procedure in the supreme court, court of appeals, district courts, and in the juvenile and probate courts of the City and County of Denver, in all actions, suits and proceedings of a civil nature, whether cognizable as cases at law or in equity, and in all special statutory proceedings, with the exceptions stated in Rule 81. These rules shall be liberally construed, administered, and employed by the court and the parties to secure the just, speedy, and inexpensive determination of every action. Rules of civil procedure governing county courts shall be in accordance with Chapter 25 of this volume. Rules of Procedure governing probate courts and probate proceedings in the district courts shall be in accordance with these rules and Chapter 27 of this volume. (In case of conflict between rules, those set forth in Chapter 27 shall control.) Rules of Procedure governing juvenile courts and juvenile proceedings in the district courts shall be in accordance with these rules and Chapter 28 made effective on the same date as these rules. (In case of conflict between rules, those set forth in Chapter 28 shall control.) Any action involving a “child custody proceeding,” as defined in 25 U.S.C. §§ 1903, 1912 and section 19-1.2-103(2), C.R.S., must proceed in accordance with the Colorado Rules of ICWA Procedure, as contained in Chapter 28.3 of the Colorado Court Rules. Rules of Procedure in Municipal Courts are in Chapter 30.
Rule 1.Scope of Rules
Current through June 1, 2026 · Last verified July 10, 2026
In one sentenceRule 1 defines which Colorado courts and case types the C.R.C.P. cover, states the exceptions found in Rule 81, and directs every court and party to apply the rules to reach a just, speedy, and inexpensive resolution of each action.
Full Text of Rule 1
(b) Licensed Legal Paraprofessionals (“LLPs”). C.R.C.P. 2 through C.R.C.P. 121 shall apply to licensed legal paraprofessionals when consistent with the scope of practice authorized by C.R.C.P. 207.1.
(c) Effective Date. Amendments of these rules shall be effective on the date established by the Supreme Court at the time of their adoption, and thereafter all laws in conflict therewith shall be of no further force or effect. Unless otherwise stated by the Supreme Court as being applicable only to actions brought after the effective date of an amendment, they govern all proceedings in actions brought after they take effect and also all further proceedings in actions then pending, except to the extent that in the opinion of the court their application in a particular action pending when the rules take effect would not be feasible or would work injustice, in which event the former procedure applies.
(d) How Known and Cited. These rules shall be known and cited as the Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure, or C.R.C.P.
Amendment History
Amended effective January 1, 1997. Amended February 1, 2012, effective nunc pro tunc January 1, 2012. Amended effective July 1, 2015; November 30, 2023. Corrected August 19, 2024, retroactively effective November 30, 2023. Amended effective April 23, 2026.
Plain-English Summary
Rule 1 marks the outer boundary of the Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure: they run the supreme court, the court of appeals, the district courts, and Denver's juvenile and probate courts, covering civil cases at law or in equity plus special statutory proceedings, except where Rule 81 carves out an exception. County courts, probate matters, juvenile matters, ICWA child-custody proceedings, and municipal courts each follow their own chapter of rules, sometimes layered on top of these rules rather than instead of them.
The rule also tells courts and parties how to use everything that follows: read and apply the rules to secure a just, speedy, and inexpensive resolution of each case, rather than let a technical misstep decide the outcome. A newer subsection extends most of the rules (Rule 2 through Rule 121) to licensed legal paraprofessionals, within the scope of practice the state allows them. The rule closes by fixing how amendments take effect and confirming the short name everyone uses for these rules: C.R.C.P.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do the Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure apply in county court?
No. County courts follow their own chapter of rules; the C.R.C.P. governs the supreme court, the court of appeals, the district courts, and Denver's juvenile and probate courts.
What does it mean that the rules must be 'liberally construed'?
It means courts and parties should apply the rules in a way that reaches a just, speedy, and inexpensive result, rather than letting a technical rule violation control the outcome of a case.
Can a licensed legal paraprofessional rely on these rules?
Yes. Rule 1(b) extends Rules 2 through 121 to licensed legal paraprofessionals, to the extent consistent with the scope of practice the Colorado Supreme Court authorizes them.
Why do court documents refer to 'C.R.C.P.'?
Rule 1(d) states that these rules are officially known and cited as the Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure, abbreviated C.R.C.P.
Source & verification. The rule text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure (Colo. R. Civ. P. 1). Prescribed by the Supreme Court of Colorado (C.R.S. § 13-2-108; Colo. Const. art. VI). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 10, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as: scope of the C.R.C.P.what courts use colorado civil procedure rulescolorado rule 1 civil procedureliberal construction of court ruleslicensed legal paraprofessional rules coloradohow to cite colorado civil rules