🏔️ Colorado Wage Garnishment Laws & Collection Guide ()
📍 Collecting a judgment in Colorado? Wage garnishment is an effective tool for recovering money owed to you in the Centennial State. Colorado has specific garnishment laws that provide strong creditor protections. This guide covers everything you need to know about garnishing wages in Colorado as part of your Colorado judgment collection strategy.
⚖️ What Is Wage Garnishment in Colorado?
Wage garnishment in Colorado allows judgment creditors to collect money directly from a debtor’s paycheck. The process is governed by Colorado Revised Statutes Title 13, Article 54.5, with specific garnishment rules that differ slightly from federal standards.
For judgment creditors working on how to collect a judgment, wage garnishment is one of the most reliable collection methods. Our skip tracing services help creditors locate debtors and their employers.
💡 Key Point: Colorado judgments last an impressive 20 years and can be renewed! This gives creditors substantial time to collect. Wage garnishment continues until your judgment is fully satisfied.
⚠️ Colorado Difference: Unlike most states that use 30× federal minimum wage, Colorado uses 40× state minimum wage for calculating the protected amount. This provides more debtor protection but still allows meaningful garnishment.
🏛️ Types of Wage Garnishment
- Consumer Debt Garnishment – Limited to 25% of disposable earnings or amount above 40× state minimum wage
- Child Support Withholding – Up to 50-65% of disposable earnings
- Tax Levies – Federal IRS and Colorado DOR have broader powers
- Student Loan Garnishment – Up to 15% for federal student loans
💰 Colorado Wage Garnishment Limits
Colorado has unique garnishment limits. The maximum garnishment is the lesser of:
🔢 Option 1: 25% of disposable earnings
💵 Option 2: Amount exceeding 40× Colorado state minimum wage
📋 Colorado Exemption Table
| Debt Type | Maximum Garnishment | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 📄 Consumer Debt | 25% or 40× CO min wage test | Unique state formula |
| 👨👩👧 Child Support | 50-65% | Priority over others |
| 🎓 Student Loans | 15% | Administrative process |
| 🏛️ Tax Debt | Varies | IRS/DOR broad powers |
🔍 Need to Find a Debtor’s Employer in Colorado?
Our employment verification services locate employer information within 24 hours.
Order Employer Search →📋 Steps to Garnish Wages in Colorado
- Obtain a Money Judgment
Get a valid Colorado judgment or domesticate an out-of-state judgment. Wait for appeal period to expire.
- Locate the Debtor and Employer
Our Colorado skip tracing specializes in finding employer information.
- File Writ of Continuing Garnishment
Colorado uses a “continuing garnishment” that remains in effect until satisfied. File with the court.
- Serve the Employer
Serve garnishment papers on employer. Colorado allows various service methods.
- Employer Responds
Employer must respond within 14 days, disclosing employment and pay information.
- Debtor Objection Period
Debtor has 14 days to object or claim exemptions.
- Garnishment Continues
If no valid objection, garnishment continues until judgment satisfied.
🔍 Skip Tracing Support in Colorado
Finding debtors in Colorado’s growing population can be challenging. Our skip tracing services cover all areas:
🏙️ Colorado Coverage
- Denver Metro Area – State’s largest population center
- Colorado Springs – Military and tech employment hub
- Aurora – Diverse suburban employment
- Fort Collins – Northern Colorado growth area
- Boulder – Tech and university employment
- Grand Junction – Western Slope coverage
🎯 Colorado Debtor Hiding from Collection?
20+ years helping creditors locate judgment debtors and assets throughout Colorado.
Start Your Search →⏱️ Garnishment Timeline
Week 1: File Writ of Continuing Garnishment
Week 1-2: Serve employer
Week 2-3: Employer responds (14 days)
Week 3-4: Debtor objection period (14 days)
Week 4-6: First withholding and payment
🛡️ Debtor Protections
- 40× minimum wage protection – Higher than federal standard
- Head of household exemption – Additional protections may apply
- Exempt income – Social Security, SSI, veterans benefits
- Objection rights – 14 days to claim exemptions
⚠️ Legal Note: This is general information, not legal advice. Complex matters may require a Colorado attorney. Our skip tracing for law firms supports legal professionals.
📍 Our Colorado Services
🔍 Skip Tracing
💼 Asset Research
📞 Ready to Collect Your Colorado Judgment?
Get Started Today →❓ FAQs
The lesser of 25% of disposable earnings OR amount exceeding 40× Colorado state minimum wage (higher protection than federal).
20 years – one of the longest judgment periods in the country!
Colorado uses 40× state minimum wage (not 30× federal minimum wage) for calculating protected earnings, providing more debtor protection.
