Colorado Financial Distress Profile
Household debt and delinquency, bankruptcy filings, unemployment, foreclosure law and county distress scores for Colorado and its 64 counties, from federal sources, each shown beside the U.S. figure.
· Data from Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, Q4 2025
Behind on your mortgage in Colorado? See your options under Colorado law →
Colorado ranks #34 of 51 jurisdictions on the State Distress Index, in the second-least distressed fifth: its score of 34 means it is more distressed than 34% of the 50 states and D.C.. County Distress Index details are listed separately for its 64 counties.
How Does Colorado Compare With the U.S.?
Colorado is above the U.S. figure on 2 of 5 household debt measures from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for Q4 2025: total debt per adult with a credit file ($92,690) and credit card balance per adult with a credit file ($4,910). Credit card delinquency is 11.1%, 1.3 percentage points below the U.S. 12.4%; total debt per adult with a credit file is $92,690, $29,490 above the U.S. $63,200.
Credit card delinquency in Colorado is up 4.6 percentage points from 6.5% in Q4 2019, and total debt per adult with a credit file is 25.4% higher than in Q4 2019.
Key Statistics at a Glance
State Distress Index: Colorado
Movement since 2006
Since 2006, Colorado has held near the same place: the 28th-most distressed jurisdiction then, the 27th-most distressed, as of 2025 Q1. Its State Distress Index score was little changed, 46 then and 48 now.
Quarter-aligned back-series. Each quarter re-ranks all 51 jurisdictions on that quarter's own data, so a state's position here can sit several spots from the current reading above, which uses each input's latest value.
Domain Breakdown
The national American Distress Index reads 47.0 (Typical). The composite itself sits higher than 44% of all published quarters since 2005. Colorado's State Distress Index of 34 (low-moderate state distress) is computed from 4 equal-weighted domains covering delinquency, default and legal signals, housing-basis debt burden, and labor.
Colorado and the U.S.
Delinquency rates measure balances 90 or more days past due as a share of total balances in each loan category. Higher rates signal greater household financial stress. Debt and balance figures are per adult with a credit file, not per resident.
Download all states (CSV)Colorado and the U.S.: 5 Household Debt Measures (Q4 2025)
Source: NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel / Equifax, Q4 2025.
Similar States by Distress Level
The states ranked closest to Colorado (#34) on the State Distress Index, with the domain that scores highest in each.
| State | SDI Score | Score Label | Highest Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 34 | low-moderate state distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Missouri | 38 | low-moderate state distress | Default & Legal |
| Washington | 36 | low-moderate state distress | Labor |
| Massachusetts | 32 | low-moderate state distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
Change Since 2019
Q4 2019, the last fourth quarter before the pandemic, is the baseline. Credit card delinquency is higher than in Q4 2019 in 51 of 51 jurisdictions, and auto loan delinquency is higher in 33.
| Metric | Q4 2019 | Q4 2025 | Change | U.S. Q4 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Credit Card Delinquency | 6.5% | 11.1% | +4.6 percentage points | 12.4% |
| Auto Loan Delinquency | 3.4% | 4.0% | +0.6 percentage points | 5.2% |
| Mortgage Delinquency | 0.41% | 0.75% | +0.34 percentage points | 0.94% |
| Total Debt per Adult With a Credit File | $73,890 | $92,690 | +25.4% | $63,200 |
| Card Balance per Adult With a Credit File | $3,820 | $4,910 | +28.5% | $4,350 |
Colorado Foreclosure Law Summary
If you fall behind on mortgage payments, the steps and deadlines depend on state law. Colorado mainly uses non-judicial foreclosure, which a lender can carry out without going to court.
Colorado uses a Public Trustee foreclosure system — a county official (the Public Trustee) conducts the foreclosure sale rather than a private trustee or sheriff. Residential mortgage foreclosures proceed as public trustee sales under C.R.S.
- Paying to stop the foreclosure: For a payment default, an eligible person, including the owner, can cure by filing a written notice of intent to cure with the Public Trustee no later than 15 calendar days before the sale, then paying the cure amount by 12 noon on the day before the sale. If the sale is continued to a later date, the deadline to file a notice of intent to cure may also be extended.
How Colorado Sits Among the States
Colorado's credit card delinquency rate is 11.1%, 1.3 percentage points below the U.S. 12.4%, and ranks #29 of 51. 2 of 5 NY Fed household debt measures are above the U.S. figure, and the State Distress Index reads 34 (low-moderate state distress). The Household Debt by State roundup covers all 51 jurisdictions.
Distress by County
The County Distress Index scores every county in Colorado on a 0-100 scale using five equal-weighted domains: delinquency, default and legal, debt burden, labor, and safety net and buffer. Colorado's 64 counties average 37.4: on average, Colorado's counties are more distressed than 37% of U.S. counties. Across all 3,144 counties the average is 50.0, the middle of the scale.
Score Label Distribution
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Most Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Score Label | Top Driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Costilla County | 91 | extreme county distress | Labor |
| Las Animas County | 88 | very high county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Pueblo County | 87 | very high county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Bent County | 81 | very high county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Otero County | 79 | high county distress | Labor |
Least Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Score Label | Top Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Douglas County | 6 | exceptionally low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Elbert County | 8 | exceptionally low county distress | Default & Legal |
| Gilpin County | 9 | exceptionally low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Gunnison County | 9 | exceptionally low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Routt County | 10 | very low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
The most distressed county in Colorado is Costilla County (91, extreme county distress); the least distressed is Douglas County (6, exceptionally low county distress).
Explore all 64 Colorado counties →CFPB Mortgage Complaints in Colorado
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has received 8,660 mortgage complaints from Colorado since 2012, 147.3 per 100,000 residents, 12.3 above the U.S. rate of 135. Colorado ranks #12 of 51 on complaints per resident.
| Year | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Complaints | 510 | 539 | 514 | 429 | 456 | 489 |
Source: CFPB Consumer Complaint Database. Filed a mortgage complaint? Search the complaint database.
Bankruptcy Filings: Colorado
The filing rate is bankruptcy cases filed in a year, from the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, per 100,000 residents. It does not identify household causes, motives, assets, income, or case outcomes. Colorado's rate of 145.0 is 24.1 below the U.S. rate of 169.1.
Source: U.S. Courts, Administrative Office. Table F-2: Cases Commenced by Chapter. Per-capita rates use 2024 U.S. Census Bureau population estimates.
Credit Distress: Colorado
The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia's Consumer Credit Explorer reports credit health from NY Fed / Equifax credit records. 9.4% of people with a credit file in Colorado have debt in collections, 4.5 percentage points below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 13.0% have subprime credit scores (below 620), and 30.5% are credit-constrained.
Source: Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer. Data from NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel / Equifax. Q1 2025. The U.S. average is weighted by state population (our calculation).
Economic Context: Colorado
SNAP enrollment and unemployment give context for the debt figures above. The unemployment rate measures joblessness among people in the labor force. SNAP enrollment reflects each state's program rules and reach as well as need, which is why it is not part of the State Distress Index.
Sources: U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics. Population: U.S. Census Bureau 2024 estimates.
Safety Net Strength: Colorado
The Safety Net Index measures how much support infrastructure is available to households in financial distress — combining healthcare coverage, food assistance, emergency housing funds, and legal protections. Colorado scores 40.7 out of 100 (Weak), ranking #30 of 51 jurisdictions.
Component Breakdown
Sources: Kaiser Family Foundation (Medicaid, 2024), USDA FNS (SNAP, June 2026), state foreclosure statutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the credit card delinquency rate in Colorado?
The credit card delinquency rate in Colorado is 11.1% as of Q4 2025, ranking #29 among the 51 states and DC, 1.3 percentage points below the U.S. 12.4%. It is up 4.6 percentage points from 6.5% in Q4 2019.
How does Colorado's household debt compare with the U.S.?
The NY Fed reports a $92,690 total debt balance per adult with a credit file in Colorado, $29,490 above the U.S. $63,200 on the same basis. That is 25.4% higher than in Q4 2019. Colorado ranks #2 on that basis.
What is the auto loan delinquency rate in Colorado?
Auto loan delinquency in Colorado is 4.0% as of Q4 2025, 1.2 percentage points below the U.S. 5.2%. This ranks #30 of 51. The rate is up from 3.4% in Q4 2019.
What type of foreclosure process does Colorado use?
Colorado mainly uses non-judicial foreclosure, which a lender can carry out without going to court. See our Colorado foreclosure guide for the timeline, homeowner protections and where to get free help.
What is Colorado's State Distress Index score?
Colorado scores 34 on the State Distress Index (low-moderate state distress), which means it is more distressed than 34% of the 50 states and D.C.. It ranks #34 of 51 jurisdictions, in the second-least distressed fifth. The score is built from 4 equal-weighted domains: delinquency, default and legal, debt burden on a housing basis, and labor. It ranks states against each other at one time. Separately, the national American Distress Index reads 47.0 (Typical) for the country over time. The composite itself sits higher than 44% of all published quarters since 2005.
How many CFPB mortgage complaints have been filed in Colorado?
The CFPB has received 8,660 mortgage complaints from Colorado since 2012, 147.3 per 100,000 residents, 12.3 above the U.S. rate of 135. That ranks #12 of 51. Companies responded to 98% of Colorado complaints on time.
What is the bankruptcy filing rate in Colorado?
Colorado had 8,641 bankruptcy filings in the 12-month period ending Dec 2025, 145.0 per 100,000 residents, 24.1 below the U.S. rate of 169.1. This ranks #25 of 51. Chapter 7 filings account for 81% and Chapter 13 for 17.6%. That is 15.3% more filings than in 2024.
What percentage of people in Colorado have debt in collections?
9.4% of people with a credit file in Colorado have debt in collections, 4.5 percentage points below the U.S. average of 13.9%. This ranks #43 of 51. 13.0% have subprime credit scores (below 620), 3.9 percentage points below the U.S. average of 16.9%. Data from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia Consumer Credit Explorer (NY Fed / Equifax), Q1 2025.
What is the SNAP enrollment rate in Colorado?
574,650 residents of Colorado received SNAP benefits in June 2026, an enrollment rate of 9.7%, 1.1 percentage points below the U.S. rate of 10.8%. This ranks #29 of 51. That is 6.5% fewer people than in June 2025. The rate is 2.4 percentage points above the October 2019 to February 2020 average.
How strong is Colorado's financial safety net?
Colorado scores 40.7 out of 100 on the Safety Net Index, ranking #30 of 51 (Weak). The score combines Medicaid coverage (16% enrollment rate, expansion state), SNAP enrollment (9.7%), and foreclosure legal protections. That is below the state average of 43.6.
Which Colorado counties have the highest financial distress?
Costilla County is the most distressed county in Colorado with a County Distress Index score of 91 · extreme county distress. Las Animas County (88 · very high county distress), Pueblo County (87 · very high county distress), Bent County (81 · very high county distress) are next. Douglas County is the least distressed at 6 · exceptionally low county distress. See all 64 counties at /counties/colorado/.
How long can foreclosure take in Colorado?
Colorado mainly uses non-judicial foreclosure, which a lender can carry out without going to court. The timeline varies by county and case. Paying to stop the foreclosure: For a payment default, an eligible person, including the owner, can cure by filing a written notice of intent to cure with the Public Trustee no later than 15 calendar days before the sale, then paying the cure amount by 12 noon on the day before the sale. If the sale is continued to a later date, the deadline to file a notice of intent to cure may also be extended. Homestead exemption: $250,000 generally; $350,000 if the home is occupied by an owner, owner's spouse or owner's dependent who is 60 or older or disabled. Full details at /help/foreclosure/colorado/.
Where does Colorado rank for financial distress?
Colorado scores 34 on the State Distress Index (low-moderate state distress), which means it is more distressed than 34% of the 50 states and D.C.. It ranks #34 of 51 jurisdictions, in the second-least distressed fifth. 2 of 5 NY Fed household debt measures are above the U.S. figure. The State Distress Index domain with the highest score is Debt Burden (housing basis). County Distress Index details are listed separately by county. The safety net ranks #30 (Weak).
Data Sources
NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel
State-level household debt and delinquency statistics from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, based on Equifax credit bureau data. Published once a year with fourth-quarter figures.
American Distress Index
Composite index tracking U.S. household financial distress across five equal-weighted domains. National score as of the latest available quarter.
Colorado Foreclosure Statutes
State foreclosure law data compiled from primary statutory sources and validated against legal databases. Last verified 2026-03-10.
CFPB Complaint Database
Mortgage complaints filed with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, 2012–present. Density calculated using 2024 Census population estimates.
USDA SNAP State Activity
Monthly SNAP participation by state from the USDA Food and Nutrition Service. Enrollment rates computed against 2024 Census population estimates.
U.S. Bankruptcy Courts
Annual bankruptcy filings by chapter and district from the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. Per-capita rates computed against 2024 Census population estimates.
Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer
Quarterly credit health metrics (collections, subprime share, delinquency, credit-constrained rates) from Equifax via the NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel.
Safety Net Index
Composite score from KFF Medicaid enrollment (2024), USDA SNAP participation (latest month), and state foreclosure legal protections.