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Colorado Probate and Estate Forms

Colorado uses statewide JDF forms published by the Colorado Judicial Branch. Probate is filed in the District Court of the county where the decedent lived, except in Denver, where decedent estates are filed in the Denver Probate Court. Small estates of personal property can often be collected with an affidavit (JDF 999) without opening a court case. Use the form finder with county filing-office instructions, source links, and supporting records before you file.

JDF forms are revised regularly; always download the current version from coloradojudicial.gov before filing. The Denver Probate Court may have court-specific versions or local procedures, so confirm with that court for Denver filings.

Colorado Probate Forms by Situation

Start with the Colorado Judicial Branch Self-Help Forms library and the Open an Estate and Close an Estate self-help pages, then search by JDF number (for example 'JDF 910'). Instruction packets JDF 906 (probate with a will), JDF 907 (probate without a will), JDF 959 (closing informally), and JDF 957 (closing formally) walk through each path.

Find Forms By Your Situation

Official Resources

Start with the Colorado Judicial Branch Self-Help Forms library and the Open an Estate and Close an Estate self-help pages, then search by JDF number (for example 'JDF 910'). Instruction packets JDF 906 (probate with a will), JDF 907 (probate without a will), JDF 959 (closing informally), and JDF 957 (closing formally) walk through each path.

Colorado Judicial Branch - Self-Help Forms

Official statewide JDF forms library with search by form number or keyword.

Colorado Judicial Branch - Open an Estate

Official self-help page listing the forms for informal and formal probate, with and without a will.

Colorado Judicial Branch - Close an Estate

Official self-help page listing the forms for closing an estate informally or formally.

Denver Probate Court

Denver decedent estates are filed in the Denver Probate Court rather than district court; check for court-specific forms and procedures.

Colorado DMV - What to Do When a Loved One Dies

Colorado DMV page covering vehicle title transfer after death, including form DR 2712; the DMV does not accept JDF 999 for vehicles.

Colorado Revised Statutes

Official Colorado Revised Statutes; the small estate affidavit is governed by C.R.S. 15-12-1201 and 15-12-1202.

Important Notes

  • -Probate is filed in the District Court of the county where the decedent lived, except Denver, where decedent estates are filed in the Denver Probate Court.
  • -The Denver Probate Court may use court-specific (CPC) form versions or local procedures; the current statewide self-help site does not list separate CPC decedent estate forms, so confirm with that court before filing in Denver.
  • -In the current Colorado numbering, JDF 941 is the inventory and JDF 942 is the Interim/Final Accounting; the sworn closing statement is JDF 965, and there is no JDF 943 closing statement on the statewide forms list.
  • -The small estate limit is indexed by year of death: $88,000 for deaths in 2026, $86,000 for 2025, and $82,000 for 2024, per the JDF 998 guide.
  • -The JDF 999 affidavit is presented to the asset holder and is not filed with the court; the Colorado DMV requires its own form DR 2712 for vehicle titles.
  • -JDF forms are revised frequently and PDF links change with each revision; always download the current version from the coloradojudicial.gov form page before filing.

Sources: Colorado Judicial Branch - Self-Help Forms | Colorado Judicial Branch - Open an Estate

How to Use Colorado Probate Forms

Colorado uses statewide JDF forms published by the Colorado Judicial Branch. Probate is filed in the District Court of the county where the decedent lived, except in Denver, where decedent estates are filed in the Denver Probate Court. Small estates of personal property can often be collected with an affidavit (JDF 999) without opening a court case.

JDF forms are revised regularly; always download the current version from coloradojudicial.gov before filing. The Denver Probate Court may have court-specific versions or local procedures, so confirm with that court for Denver filings.

The form finder groups records such as Opening an Estate (Informal and Formal Probate), Estate Administration (Inventory and Accounting), Closing an Estate, Small Estate (Collection by Affidavit) so you can start with the likely procedure rather than one isolated form number.

Use source links such as Colorado Judicial Branch - Self-Help Forms, Colorado Judicial Branch - Open an Estate, Colorado Judicial Branch - Close an Estate as starting points, then confirm the county probate filing office or local filing-office instructions before filing.

Choose the filing path

Common filing paths in this data include Collection of personal property by affidavit (no court filing), Informal probate through the registrar, Formal probate with notice and a hearing, DMV small estate affidavit. Match the estate facts to the correct path before preparing forms.

Verify the county packet

Check the county probate filing office or local filing-office instructions for coversheets, copy rules, appointments, fees, and filing methods.

Pull supporting records first

Collect the original will if one exists, certified death certificates, asset values, deed or title records, heir and beneficiary details, and creditor information before filling out the packet.

Source note 1

Probate is filed in the District Court of the county where the decedent lived, except Denver, where decedent estates are filed in the Denver Probate Court.

Source note 2

The Denver Probate Court may use court-specific (CPC) form versions or local procedures; the current statewide self-help site does not list separate CPC decedent estate forms, so confirm with that court before filing in Denver.

Source note 3

In the current Colorado numbering, JDF 941 is the inventory and JDF 942 is the Interim/Final Accounting; the sworn closing statement is JDF 965, and there is no JDF 943 closing statement on the statewide forms list.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I get Colorado probate forms?
Start with Colorado Judicial Branch - Self-Help Forms, Colorado Judicial Branch - Open an Estate, Colorado Judicial Branch - Close an Estate. Then verify local county instructions before you file, because packet rules, copy requirements, fees, and filing methods can vary.
How do I know which Colorado probate form I need?
Start with the filing path, not the form number. The right packet depends on will status, asset type and value, creditor issues, heirs or beneficiaries, and whether a simplified procedure fits.
Can I file Colorado probate forms without an attorney?
Some paths may allow self-filing, but the answer still depends on the estate, the county office, disputes, real estate, creditors, and tax facts. Verify the county rules and get legal help when rights or strategy are unclear.
What should I gather before filling out Colorado probate forms?
Gather the original will if one exists, certified death certificates, asset and debt lists, deed or title records, beneficiary records, and names and addresses for heirs or beneficiaries.

Colorado Source Notes

Colorado Judicial Branch - Self-Help Forms - Colorado Judicial Branch - Self-Help Forms. Accessed 2026-06-11.
Colorado Judicial Branch - Open an Estate - Colorado Judicial Branch - Open an Estate. Accessed 2026-06-11.
Colorado Judicial Branch - Close an Estate - Colorado Judicial Branch - Close an Estate. Accessed 2026-06-11.
JDF 910 Application for Informal Probate of Will and Informal Appointment of Personal Representative - JDF 910 Application for Informal Probate of Will and Informal Appointment of Personal Representative. Accessed 2026-06-11.
JDF 916 Application for Informal Appointment of Personal Representative - JDF 916 Application for Informal Appointment of Personal Representative. Accessed 2026-06-11.
JDF 920 Petition for Formal Probate of Will and Formal Appointment of Personal Representative - JDF 920 Petition for Formal Probate of Will and Formal Appointment of Personal Representative. Accessed 2026-06-11.
JDF 922 Petition for Adjudication of Intestacy and Formal Appointment of Personal Representative - JDF 922 Petition for Adjudication of Intestacy and Formal Appointment of Personal Representative. Accessed 2026-06-11.
JDF 911 Acceptance of Appointment - JDF 911 Acceptance of Appointment. Accessed 2026-06-11.
JDF 912 Renunciation and/or Nomination of Personal Representative - JDF 912 Renunciation and/or Nomination of Personal Representative. Accessed 2026-06-11.
JDF 915 Letters Testamentary/of Administration - JDF 915 Letters Testamentary/of Administration. Accessed 2026-06-11.
JDF 940 Information of Appointment - JDF 940 Information of Appointment. Accessed 2026-06-11.
JDF 941 Decedent's Estate Inventory - JDF 941 Decedent's Estate Inventory. Accessed 2026-06-11.
JDF 942 Interim/Final Accounting - JDF 942 Interim/Final Accounting. Accessed 2026-06-11.
JDF 965 Statement of Personal Representative Closing Administration - JDF 965 Statement of Personal Representative Closing Administration. Accessed 2026-06-11.
JDF 960 Petition for Final Settlement - JDF 960 Petition for Final Settlement. Accessed 2026-06-11.
JDF 964 Order for Final Settlement - JDF 964 Order for Final Settlement. Accessed 2026-06-11.
JDF 730 Decree of Final Discharge - JDF 730 Decree of Final Discharge. Accessed 2026-06-11.
JDF 998 Guide to Collecting a Decedent's Personal Property (R: March 19, 2026) - JDF 998 Guide to Collecting a Decedent's Personal Property (R: March 19, 2026). Accessed 2026-06-11.
JDF 999 Collection of Personal Property by Affidavit - JDF 999 Collection of Personal Property by Affidavit. Accessed 2026-06-11.
Colorado DMV - DR 2712 Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property Pursuant to Small Estate Proceeding - Colorado DMV - DR 2712 Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property Pursuant to Small Estate Proceeding. Accessed 2026-06-11.
Denver Probate Court - Denver Probate Court. Accessed 2026-06-11.
Colorado Revised Statutes (C.R.S. 15-12-1201 and 15-12-1202, small estate affidavit) - Colorado Revised Statutes (C.R.S. 15-12-1201 and 15-12-1202, small estate affidavit). Accessed 2026-06-11.

Information current as of June 11, 2026

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Probate laws and procedures in Colorado can change. Consult with a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation. Full disclaimer.