As amended through Rule Change 2024(18), effective October 2, 2024
Rule 515 - Default and Judgment(a) Entry at the Time of Trial. Upon the date and at the time set for trial, if the defendant has filed no response or fails to appear and if the plaintiff proves by appropriate return that proper service was made upon the defendant as provided herein at least fifteen days prior to the trial date, the court may enter judgment for the plaintiff for the amount due, as stated in the complaint, but in no event more than the amount requested in the plaintiff's claim, plus interest, costs, and other items provided by statute or agreement. However, before any judgment is entered pursuant to this rule, the court shall be satisfied that venue of the action is proper pursuant to C.R.C.P. 503 and may require the plaintiff to present sufficient evidence to support the plaintiff's claim. (b) Entry at the Time of Continued Trial. Failure to appear at any other date set for trial shall be grounds for entering a default and judgment against the non-appearing party, whether on a plaintiff's claim or a defendant's counterclaim. (c) Default and Judgment - Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief. If a defendant is a member on active duty in the United States military services, and if the defendant fails to appear on the trial date without having requested a stay of proceedings, the court shall enter the defendant's default and it shall appoint an attorney to represent the defendant's interests in accordance with the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940, 50 U.S.C. App. §§ 501, et seq. Judgment shall enter three business days after the appointment of the attorney unless the attorney shall have filed a written objection to the entry of judgment, stating the legal and factual bases for such objection. The fees of the attorney shall be paid by the plaintiff and shall be assessed as costs in accordance with C.R.C.P. 516. (d) Setting Aside a Default. For good cause shown, within a reasonable period and in any event not more than thirty days after the entry of judgment, the court may set aside an entry of default and the judgment entered thereon. Colo. R. Sm. Clm. Ct. P. 515
Entire chapter repealed and readopted February 24, 1994, effective 7/1/1994; entire rule amended and effective 9/6/2001.