What Documents Must Be Included in a Colorado Mechanics' Lien Claim?
Of all the questions I receive from contractors preparing to file a mechanic’s lien in Colorado, one of the most persistent is also one of the simplest: “What exactly needs to go into the lien?”
At first glance, it seems obvious. You prepare a statement showing what you're owed, attach a legal description, and record it. But Colorado law doesn’t treat liens as informal invoices or grievances. A mechanic’s lien is a legal claim against real property, and the courts, county clerks, title companies, and lenders all expect it to be written with precision.
A lien statement that is incomplete or inaccurate may look legitimate at first, but when challenged, it can crumble quickly—sometimes taking the entire enforcement case with it. And because Colorado strictly construes its mechanics lien statute, the burden of getting the document right falls entirely on the party filing it.
This article is meant to slow that process down. It walks you through what a lien statement really is, why each required component matters, and how mistakes in the document can affect your rights later. If you want the broader overview for homeowners, our Colorado Mechanics' Lien Guide for Homeowners provides a more general explanation of liens. Here, though, we stay focused on the lien statement itself: the core document that becomes part of the property’s permanent record.
What Colorado Law Actually Requires
The place to start is the statute. Under C.R.S. § 38-22-109, a lien statement must contain several specific elements. Some of these items seem straightforward—your name, the property description, the amount you’re claiming. But others are more nuanced and often misunderstood.
What the statute ultimately requires is clarity: clarity about who is asserting the lien, clarity about the property it attaches to, and clarity about the amount claimed. Without that clarity, the lien is vulnerable. With it, the lien becomes a powerful tool that protects your ability to recover payment.
The Claimant’s Identity and Role in the Project
One of the first things a lien statement must do is identify the claimant. That means the entity or individual who actually performed the work or supplied the materials—not a related company, not a project manager, and not a person who “handled the job” but never improved the property themselves.
In practice, this comes up most often when contractors work under multiple business names or use trade names interchangeably. If the lien is filed by the wrong entity, courts may find that the claimant—the company that recorded the lien—never actually improved the property. And a lien filed by someone who didn’t improve the property is no lien at all.
This issue also intersects with your lienable amount. For more information on what amounts may be included, see How Much Can a Contractor Claim in a Colorado Mechanic’s Lien?.
The Property Description: Why Accuracy Determines Enforceability
Colorado requires that the lien statement contain a legal description of the property—not simply a street address. A street address may help people understand the general location of the property, but the law requires something more definite, something that ties the lien to a specific parcel of land.
If the legal description is incorrect, incomplete, or vague, a court may rule that the lien never attached to the property at all. That means even if the contractor is owed money, the mechanic’s lien remedy is lost.
This is one of the most common mistakes I see, especially with condominium units, townhomes, multi-lot properties, and rural parcels that don’t always follow a simple subdivision pattern. Before filing a lien, the legal description should be double-checked against the county’s property records or a recent deed.
A Statement of the Amount Owed—and the Risks of Overreaching
The lien statement must include the amount the claimant believes is due. But this is not the place to assert every conceivable claim, every disputed change order, or every hypothetical future cost. Colorado law distinguishes between amounts that are truly “lienable”—meaning tied to labor, materials, or equipment that actually improved the property—and those that are not.
Exaggerated or inflated amounts can be dangerous. A homeowner who believes a lien is inflated may assert slander of title, and a court may award attorney fees if it finds the lien was filed in bad faith or contained unreasonably overstated claims.
If you aren't sure how much of your claim is lienable, our companion article How Much Can a Contractor Claim in a Colorado Mechanic’s Lien? provides a detailed explanation and examples.
A Statement of When the Work Was Performed
The lien statement must also reflect when the work was performed, which ties directly into Colorado’s strict filing deadlines. Because lien rights depend heavily on timing, the date you last furnished labor or materials determines whether your lien is timely under the four-month rule. A detailed explanation of timing can be found in our article Understanding Colorado’s Four-Month Rule for Filing a Mechanic’s Lien.
Including accurate performance dates in your lien statement not only helps establish the lien’s validity—it also ensures that, if challenged, you have clear evidence connecting your work to the statutory timeline.
Verification: The Signature and Notarization Requirement
Colorado requires that a lien statement be signed and verified under oath. This is more than a technicality. It is a declaration that the information in the statement is true, that the amount claimed is accurate, and that the claimant is in good faith asserting a legal right.
A lien that is unsigned, improperly verified, or incorrectly notarized can be invalidated. County clerks may record defective liens, but that does not make them enforceable. Courts look to whether the lien complied with statutory requirements at the time it was recorded.
Supporting Documents: What You Should Attach—Even If the Statute Doesn’t Require It
Colorado does not require contractors to attach invoices, contracts, or photographs to a lien statement. But in practice, including supporting documents can strengthen the record and reduce the likelihood of future disputes.
For homeowners reviewing a lien, supporting documents may clarify whether the amount claimed is legitimate. For contractors preparing for enforcement, they help organize the evidence that will be required if the lien proceeds to litigation.
Homeowners who receive a lien can learn more about their rights in How to Dispute a Mechanic’s Lien Filed Against Your Home.
Why Getting the Lien Statement Right Matters More Than Most People Realize
A mechanic’s lien is one of the most powerful remedies available to contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers. But its power depends entirely on its compliance. A lien statement is not a place to generalize, guess, or approximate. It is a sworn document that becomes part of the property’s permanent record and may eventually support a foreclosure lawsuit.
When prepared correctly, a lien can protect a contractor’s right to payment and bring a stalled dispute to resolution. When prepared incorrectly, it can expose the filer to liability, undermine the validity of the claim, and offer the homeowner strong grounds to remove or challenge it.
If you need help preparing or reviewing a lien statement—or evaluating whether a lien filed against your property is valid—we routinely advise both contractors and homeowners throughout Colorado.
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.