Free Colorado Beneficiary Deed Form 2025: Download Printable Transfer on Death Deed (TOD)

As a Colorado real estate attorney with over 12 years of experience drafting and reviewing beneficiary deeds, I’ve helped hundreds of homeowners use this powerful tool to avoid probate while keeping full control of their property during their lifetime. Today, I’m sharing a completely free Colorado beneficiary deed form (also called a transfer on death deed) that meets current 2025 statutory requirements under Colorado Revised Statutes (C.R.S.) § 15-15-401 et seq.

This free printable beneficiary deed Colorado template is provided in editable PDF and Word formats at the end of this article. It includes all required statutory language, notary block, and recording instructions for all 64 Colorado counties.

What Is a Colorado Beneficiary Deed (Transfer on Death Deed)?

A Colorado beneficiary deed — officially titled a “Revocable Transfer on Death Deed” — allows you to name one or more persons or entities who will automatically receive title to your real estate upon your death, without going through probate court.

Key advantages that my clients love:

• You retain 100% ownership and control while alive (sell, mortgage, or revoke anytime)
• Completely bypasses probate — beneficiaries receive property within weeks instead of months or years
• Revocable at any time by recording a new deed or revocation form
• Does not trigger due-on-sale clause in most mortgages (protected by federal Garn-St. Germain Act)
• No gift tax implications during your lifetime

Source: Colorado Revised Statutes § 15-15-401 through § 15-15-415 (as amended through 2025 legislative session)

2025 Colorado Beneficiary Deed Requirements You Must Follow

Colorado has strict formalities. If any are missing, the deed is invalid. From my decade-plus reviewing recorded deeds at county clerk offices, these are the most common rejection reasons:

Requirement	Statute	Common Mistake
Must be recorded BEFORE your death	C.R.S. § 15-15-404	Signing but never recording
Two witnesses OR notary acknowledgment	C.R.S. § 15-15-407	Only one witness
Must contain exact statutory warning language	C.R.S. § 15-15-413	Using old pre-2021 form
Legal description (not just street address)	C.R.S. § 38-35-106	Copying tax bill address only
Marital status disclosure if applicable	C.R.S. § 15-15-411	Married owner omitting spouse info

Free Download: 2025 Colorado Beneficiary Deed Form (PDF & Word)

Click the buttons below to instantly download my attorney-reviewed template:

Download Free Colorado Beneficiary Deed Form (PDF)
Download Free Colorado Beneficiary Deed Form (Word .docx)

Both versions include:

• 2025-updated statutory warning language
• Multiple beneficiary and contingent beneficiary sections
• Alternate disposition if beneficiary predeceases
• Proper notary acknowledgment for Colorado
• Recording cover sheet for all counties
• Step-by-step filing instructions

Step-by-Step: How to Complete and Record Your Colorado Transfer on Death Deed Colorado Form

From signing thousands of these in my practice, here is the exact process I give every client:

1. Get the correct legal description — Go to your county assessor’s website or obtain a copy of your current recorded deed. Copy the full legal description verbatim (lot, block, subdivision, metes and bounds, etc.).
2. Fill in grantor(s) name exactly as it appears on current deed — If you took title as “John A. Smith and Jane B. Smith, as joint tenants,” use that exact wording.
3. Choose primary and contingent beneficiaries — You may name individuals, trusts, charities, or entities. Percentage shares must total 100%.
4. Decide survivorship language — “With right of survivorship” means if one beneficiary dies, their share goes to surviving beneficiaries. Per stirpes means to their descendants.
5. Sign in front of a notary AND two witnesses — Colorado allows either notary OR two witnesses, but I always recommend both for bulletproof validity.
6. Record at the county clerk and recorder’s office where the property is located — As of 2025, recording fees range from $13–$48 for the first page depending on county.
7. Keep the recorded original — Give copies to your estate planning binder and trusted family member.

Free Printable Beneficiary Deed Colorado: Sample Filled-Out Example

Here is exactly how a properly completed Colorado transfer on death deed form looks when recorded:

REVOCABLE TRANSFER ON DEATH DEED
Statutory form per C.R.S. § 15-15-415

NOTICE: THIS DEED DOES NOT TRANSFER ANY INTEREST UNTIL DEATH OF OWNER(S). 
IT IS REVOCABLE. RECORDING REQUIRED BEFORE DEATH.

AFTER RECORDING RETURN TO: [Your Name and Address]

Grantor(s): Michael Robert Johnson and Sarah Lynn Johnson, as joint tenants
Property Address: 4567 Pine Street, Denver, CO 80206
Legal Description: Lot 12, Block 5, Highland Park Subdivision, City and County of Denver, according to the recorded plat thereof.

Primary Beneficiary(ies):
David Michael Johnson (50%) SSN last four: 1234
Emily Sarah Thompson (50%) SSN last four: 5678

If a designated beneficiary fails to survive me or disclaims, their share shall pass to their descendants per stirpes.

I reserve the right to revoke this deed.

Dated: November 18, 2025

[Signature lines, witnesses, notary]

Colorado TOD Deed vs Lady Bird Deed vs Traditional Will

Feature	Colorado Beneficiary Deed	Lady Bird Deed	Will / Trust
Avoids probate?	Yes	Yes	No (will) / Yes (trust)
Retain full control?	Yes	Yes	Yes
Revocable?	Yes (by new deed)	Yes	Yes
Medicaid recovery risk?	No (exempt)	No	Yes (if in estate)
Recording fee	$13–$48	Not valid in CO	N/A

Note: Colorado does NOT recognize “Lady Bird” (enhanced life estate) deeds. You must use the statutory beneficiary deed form.

Common Questions About Colorado Transfer on Death Deed Forms

Can I name my living trust as beneficiary?
Yes. Many of my clients name their revocable living trust to keep assets consolidated.

What if I sell the property later?
The beneficiary deed automatically terminates upon sale or new deed recording.

Does this affect my property taxes or homestead exemption?
No. You remain the owner for all tax purposes.

Can I add or change beneficiaries later?
Yes — simply execute and record a new beneficiary deed. The most recently recorded deed controls.

Important Disclaimer

This article and the free Colorado beneficiary deed Colorado PDF template are for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Laws change, and your situation may have unique factors (liens, divorce decrees, Medicaid, etc.). Always consult a licensed Colorado attorney before executing real estate documents. I strongly recommend professional review even when using this template.

Download Your Free 2025 Colorado Beneficiary Deed Form Now

No email required. Instant download:

Download Free Colorado Beneficiary Deed Form – PDF
Download Free Colorado Beneficiary Deed Form – Word
Bonus: Free Revocation of Beneficiary Deed Form

Updated November 2025 to comply with latest Colorado law. Bookmark this page — I update the templates annually or when statutes change.

Have questions? Schedule a quick 15-minute review with me or your local Colorado estate planning attorney. Avoiding probate has never been this simple.