How Long Does a Colorado Mechanic’s Lien Last?
Every mechanic’s lien in Colorado has a life cycle. It begins quietly—usually with a payment dispute, a breakdown in communication, or a stalled job. It becomes formal when the Notice of Intent goes out. And it becomes visible, tangible, and very real the moment it is recorded with the county clerk and recorder.
But that moment is not the end of the story. It’s the beginning of a countdown.
One of the most misunderstood aspects of Colorado lien law is how long a mechanic’s lien actually lasts. Contractors often believe that once the lien is recorded, they can enforce it at any time. Homeowners sometimes assume a lien stays on title indefinitely unless the contractor agrees to release it. Both assumptions are wrong—and misunderstanding the timeline can cause very real problems for both sides.
Colorado’s lien statute has strict deadlines. They are rigid. They are unforgiving. And they shape everything that follows after the lien appears in the land records.
For a broader overview of how liens work, you can start with our Colorado Mechanic’s Lien Guide for Homeowners. But here, we focus on the lifecycle of a recorded lien: how long it lasts, when it expires, and what parties must do before those deadlines run out.
The Lien Begins at Recording—but the Clock Was Already Running
To understand the lifespan of a lien, you have to remember that the lien is the middle step in a larger sequence. Before a lien is recorded, the contractor must:
Serve a Notice of Intent at least 10 days prior, and
Record the lien within four months after last furnishing labor or materials (for most claimants).
These deadlines come from C.R.S. § 38-22-109(3)–(5).
By the time the lien reaches the clerk’s office, part of the statutory clock has already been ticking. A timely lien is one that was filed within that four-month window.
But that is only the first timeline. Another one begins immediately after the lien is recorded.
How Long a Recorded Lien Stays Valid
A recorded mechanic’s lien in Colorado does not last indefinitely. In fact, the lien itself is relatively short-lived unless the contractor takes steps to enforce it.
Under C.R.S. § 38-22-110, the lien claimant must file a lawsuit to foreclose the lien within six months after:
The last date labor, materials, or equipment were furnished or
The completion of the entire project (not just the claimant’s work)
—whichever provides the longer deadline.
This often surprises contractors. The lien they worked so hard to prepare and record does not itself guarantee payment. It must be enforced. And enforcement requires a lawsuit—typically a foreclosure action naming the homeowner, lenders, and any other parties with an interest in the property.
What Happens If the Contractor Misses the Enforcement Deadline
If the contractor does not file the required lawsuit within the six-month enforcement period, the lien expires automatically. And an expired lien cannot be revived.
This is often where homeowners breathe a sigh of relief. In many cases, particularly where the claimed amount is disputed or inflated, homeowners wait to see whether the contractor will take the next step. Contractors who misunderstand the enforcement deadline sometimes allow their lien rights to vanish simply because they assumed recording the lien was the final stage.
Can a Contractor Extend a Mechanic’s Lien?
Colorado law gives contractors two limited tools to deal with long or ongoing projects.
First, before a lien statement is ever filed, a contractor can record a Notice Extending Time to File a Lien Statement in the county where the property is located. That notice extends the deadline to record the lien statement to four months after completion of the improvement or six months after the date the notice is recorded, whichever comes first, and it can be renewed if the project is still not finished.
Second, once a lien statement has been recorded, the lien normally cannot remain effective longer than one year from filing unless, within thirty days of each annual anniversary, the lien claimant records an affidavit stating that the improvements on the property have not been completed.
What Homeowners Should Know About Expiration
Homeowners often ask whether they should take immediate action to remove a lien, or whether they can wait to see if the lien “falls off” on its own. The answer depends on circumstances—particularly whether the homeowner plans to sell, refinance, or pull additional financing on the property.
But legally, homeowners should know:
A lien that has expired is no longer enforceable.
A contractor who tries to enforce an expired lien may face attorney fees.
A homeowner may pursue removal of an expired lien from title.
Expiration may become a powerful defense if foreclosure is attempted after the deadline.
Our article How to Dispute a Mechanic’s Lien Filed Against Your Home discusses how homeowners can evaluate whether a lien is still alive or whether the enforcement window has closed.
What Contractors Should Know About Expiration
For contractors, missing the enforcement deadline means losing leverage completely. After the lien expires:
You may still pursue breach-of-contract claims,
You may still attempt to collect through ordinary litigation,
But you lose the ability to use the property as security for payment.
A contractor who relies solely on the lien and fails to track the enforcement deadline may find themselves far weaker in negotiations than they expected.
This article works together with Understanding Colorado’s Four-Month Rule for Filing a Mechanic’s Lien, which explains the front end of the timeline. Combine the two, and you have the full picture of a lien’s life cycle in Colorado.
The Life of a Colorado Mechanics' Lien
A mechanic’s lien in Colorado is a race against time. It begins with the last swing of a hammer, the last delivery of materials, or the last day a contractor walked away from the job site. It moves through the mandatory Notice of Intent and then lands at the county clerk’s office, appearing in the chain of title like a red flag. At that moment, negotiations often sharpen. People start talking again.
But the lien does not sit there forever. It pulsates with a six-month deadline demanding action.
A contractor who gets this right has one of the most powerful tools in Colorado construction law. A contractor who misses the deadline loses it.
A homeowner who understands the timeline can defend themselves, plan ahead, and avoid paying illegitimate or exaggerated claims. A homeowner who overlooks the deadline may assume a lien is still enforceable when, in fact, it quietly died months earlier.
Either way, the law rewards those who understand the calendar—and punishes those who ignore it.
If you’re dealing with a mechanic’s lien in Colorado, whether you’re trying to enforce it or defend against it, we routinely guide clients through these timelines and help them understand what the deadlines truly mean. And if you want the most complete overview, our Colorado Mechanic’s Lien Guide for Homeowners remains the best foundation.
The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice or legal opinion. You should not act or refrain from acting on the basis of any information provided on this website without seeking legal advice from an attorney.