If a judgment directs a party to execute a conveyance of land or to deliver deeds or other documents or to perform any other specific act and the party fails to comply within the time specified, the court may direct the act to be done at the cost of the disobedient party by some other person appointed by the court and the act when so done has like effect as if done by the party. On application of the party entitled to performance, the clerk shall issue a writ of attachment against the property of the disobedient party to compel obedience to the judgment. The court may also in proper cases adjudge the party in contempt. If real or personal property is within the district, the court in lieu of directing a conveyance thereof may enter a judgment divesting the title of any party and vesting it in others and such judgment has the effect of a conveyance executed in due form of law. When any order or judgment is for the delivery of possession, the party in whose favor it is entered is entitled to a writ of execution or assistance upon application to the clerk.
Rule 70.Judgment for Specific Acts; Vesting Title
Current through June 1, 2026 · Last verified July 10, 2026
In one sentenceRule 70 lets a Colorado court have someone else carry out an act a judgment required, such as signing a deed, when the losing party refuses, and lets the court transfer title directly by judgment instead of waiting for a conveyance.
Full Text of Rule 70
Amendment History
The source reproduced here (current through June 1, 2026) records no amendment to this rule since its original adoption — no Credits line appears for it in the compiled rules. For the underlying adopting order and any later amendments, see the Colorado General Assembly.
Plain-English Summary
Some judgments do not award money; they order a party to sign a deed, hand over documents, or take some other specific action. Rule 70 gives the court a way to make that happen even if the party refuses. The court can appoint someone else to perform the act at the disobedient party's expense, and the result counts as if the original party had done it. The party entitled to performance can also ask the clerk to issue a writ of attachment against the disobedient party's property, and the court may hold that party in contempt.
When the property at issue is within the district, the court has a more direct option: instead of ordering a conveyance, it can enter a judgment that divests title from one party and vests it in another. That judgment works as a conveyance in its own right, without anyone having to sign anything.
When a judgment or order calls for handing over possession of property, the party who won that judgment can go straight to the clerk for a writ of execution or a writ of assistance, rather than starting a separate enforcement proceeding.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can a Colorado court do if someone refuses to sign a deed as a judgment requires?
Under Rule 70, the court can appoint someone else to sign the deed or perform the act at the disobedient party's cost, and the result has the same effect as if that party had done it personally.
Does a losing party have to physically transfer title for a property judgment to take effect?
No. When the property is within the district, Rule 70 lets the court enter a judgment that divests title from one party and vests it in another, and that judgment operates as a conveyance on its own.
What can happen to a party who refuses to comply with a judgment for a specific act?
The clerk can issue a writ of attachment against that party's property to compel obedience, and the court may also hold the party in contempt.
How does a party get possession of property once a judgment awards it?
The party in whose favor the judgment was entered can apply directly to the clerk for a writ of execution or a writ of assistance, without a separate motion.
Source & verification. The rule text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure (Colo. R. Civ. P. 70). 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
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