As amended through Rule Change 2024(12), effective July 28, 2024
(a) Entry at Time of Appearance. Upon the date and at the time set for appearance, if the defendant has filed no answer or fails to appear and if the plaintiff proves by appropriate return that the summons was served at least 14 days before the appearance date, the judge may enter judgment for the plaintiff for the amount due, including interest, costs and other items provided by statute or the agreement. However, before judgment is entered, the court shall be satisfied that the venue of the action is proper under Rule 398(c). (b) Judgment for Possession in Forcible Entry and Detainer Cases. A court may enter judgment pursuant to statute; however, the court shall not enter a default judgment for possession before the close of business on the date upon which an appearance is due as set forth by C.R.S. 13-40-111(1) and if the court is satisfied that service is complete pursuant to C.R.S. 13-40-112.(c) At Time of Trial. Failure to appear on any date set for trial shall be grounds for entering a default and judgment thereon against the non-appearing party. For good cause shown, the court may set aside an entry of default and the judgment entered thereon in accordance with Rule 360. (a) amended and effective 6/28/2007; (a) amended and adopted December 14, 2011, effective 1/1/2012, for all cases pending on or filed on or after 1/1/2012, pursuant to C.R.C.P. 1(b); amended and adopted by the Court, En Banc, June 29, 2022, effective 6/29/2022. ANNOTATION Applied in Bachman v. County Court, 43 Colo. App. 175, 602 P.2d 899 (1979).