When a lender charges more than the law allows, skips required disclosures, or harasses you over a debt, Colorado gives you a direct, no-cost path to complain. Here’s how to file a complaint against a Colorado lender effectively.
Quick answer: File a free complaint with the Administrator of the Uniform Consumer Credit Code through the Colorado Attorney General's Credit and Debt Complaint webpage, no attorney required, including your loan documents and a clear description of what happened. You can also file with the CFPB.
Who to contact
The Administrator of the Uniform Consumer Credit Code, housed in the Colorado Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Section, investigates complaints about lenders and creditors, licenses non-bank lenders, and can take disciplinary action against violators. This is the primary state channel for issues involving payday loans, installment loans, auto loans, and other UCCC-covered credit.
Gathering your documentation
Before filing, collect everything relevant: the loan agreement, any written disclosures, payment records, screenshots of advertisements or text messages, and a log of phone calls including dates and what was said. Specific dollar amounts, dates, and direct quotes from the lender make a complaint far easier for investigators to act on than a general description of feeling wronged.
Filing the complaint
Visit the Colorado Attorney General’s Credit and Debt Complaint webpage to submit your complaint online. State plainly what the lender did, which rule you believe it violated (an APR above 36%, an undisclosed fee, garnishment without a court order, and so on), and attach your supporting documents. Be specific about the outcome you want, whether that’s a refund, a corrected balance, or an investigation into the lender’s broader practices.
What happens next
The UCCC Administrator’s office cannot give you individual legal advice or represent you personally against a creditor, but it can investigate the lender, pursue disciplinary action including license suspension or revocation, and refer serious cases for further legal action. You retain the separate right to bring your own legal action against a creditor under the UCCC if you choose.
Filing a parallel federal complaint
For issues that also implicate federal law, such as debt collection harassment or inaccurate credit reporting, file a parallel complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau at consumerfinance.gov/complaint. The CFPB forwards your complaint to the company and tracks its response, adding another layer of pressure beyond the state process.
Timing your complaint for the best outcome
File your complaint as soon as possible after the issue occurs, while records, screenshots, and your memory of phone conversations are still fresh. If the issue involves an ongoing wage garnishment or an active collection attempt, mention that urgency directly in your complaint so it can be prioritized. Following up in writing rather than only by phone also creates a paper trail that strengthens any later legal action you might pursue on your own.
What NOT to expect from the process
Filing a complaint won’t produce an instant refund or an immediate fix; investigations take time, and the Administrator’s role is regulatory rather than a personal advocate in a dispute over your specific dollars. Set realistic expectations, keep pursuing your own remedies in parallel, such as disputing a charge with your bank, while the complaint proceeds through the state’s process.
Following up if you don’t hear back
State offices handling consumer complaints can take time to respond given their caseload. If a reasonable period passes without any acknowledgment, a polite follow-up email referencing your original complaint and its submission date is appropriate. Keeping a copy of everything you submitted makes any follow-up faster and more effective.
FAQ
Do I need a lawyer to file a complaint in Colorado?
No. Filing with the UCCC Administrator is free and doesn’t require an attorney.
What should I include in my complaint?
The loan agreement, disclosures, payment records, and a specific, dated description of what the lender did wrong.
Can the UCCC Administrator get my money back?
The office investigates and can discipline lenders, but for a specific refund you may need to pursue your own legal action under the UCCC.
Should I also file with the CFPB?
Yes, for issues that also involve federal law, such as debt collection harassment, filing with both agencies adds pressure.
This article is for educational purposes only and is not financial advice. Loan amounts, fees, and laws can change, so verify current rules with the Colorado Attorney General’s Office, Administrator of the Uniform Consumer Credit Code (UCCC) at coag.gov/file-a-complaint/uniform-consumer-credit-code and confirm any lender is licensed before you borrow.