answering summons with form provided by court

[aimlessbloom]

I have a form that came with the summons. That is the form I must use to answer this. It's called "Answer under simplified civil procedure (including counterclaims & cross claims)" I'm told this is not small claims court. Its Civil court in Colorado.

I owe the debt ( at least I do owe some medical bills) But I have not been able to get enough information from them to verify if the debt I'm being sued for is in fact mine. The statements I received from the Hospital a few months ago are different from the principal amount they have listed.

How do I file my answer?

My option says:

The defendant (my name) answers the complaint as follows:

1. The amount of damages claimed to be due to the Plaintiff by the complaint in this action is not due and oweing for the following reasons: (fill in answer)

This is the only option that makes sense. The others are possession of property etc.

Is an ok response to say:

In response to complaint, I am at this time without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegation contained therein, and on that basis generally and specifically denies the allegation contained therein, and leaves the Plaintiff to provide proof. Defendant demands strict proof thereof.

Then do I also type up a separate paper to submit with this that includes defenses?

I kind of feel overwhelmed here. Am I on the right track?

[Guest Lecasbas]

Is an ok response to say:

In response to complaint, I am at this time without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegation contained therein, and on that basis generally and specifically denies the allegation contained therein, and leaves the Plaintiff to provide proof. Defendant demands strict proof thereof.

Yes. If there is enough space to pen this in the form then that is what I'd do. Depending upon how much time you have left to file your Answer, you could formulate Affirmative Defenses and Counterclaims and then submit these in lieu of the form.