A lien (pronounced lean) is a legal right, claim, or interest in another person’s property that remains until a debt is paid or an obligation is fulfilled. For example, a lien may be placed on real property to secure a contractor’s claim for payment for work or materials provided to improve the property (a mechanic’s lien) or by a homeowners’ association to secure payment for unpaid dues or assessments against an individual homeowner.

There are many different types of liens related to real property and the laws regarding these liens may vary from state to state.

In Colorado, a lien is a legal claim against property that ensures payment of a debt or fulfillment of an obligation. One common type of lien is the mechanic's lien, which contractors, subcontractors, or suppliers can file against a property if they have not been paid for labor or materials used in improving the property. To enforce a mechanic's lien, Colorado law requires that the lien be recorded with the county recorder where the property is located within a specific time frame after the work has been completed or materials supplied. Another type of lien is the homeowners' association (HOA) lien, which can be placed on a property for unpaid association dues or assessments. In Colorado, the HOA must follow specific procedures, including providing notice to the homeowner, before enforcing the lien. The laws governing the creation, recording, and enforcement of liens are detailed in Colorado Revised Statutes, and they provide specific timelines and requirements that must be adhered to for a lien to be valid and enforceable.