I Filed A Motion To Compel

Location: Colorado

An ex contractor owed me 5 figures. I tried from April 2025 to June 2026 to get paid, but he stopped responding to me and I finally threatened legal action in June 2026. He sent a settlement offer of 16% of the money owed. I rejected the offer and he sent 2 more that never reach above 50%. I rejected all offers and filed a civil lawsuit. In his answer, he countersued for the max this court allows ($25,000), more than double what I am asking.

The court ordered him to call me on a specific day to try to settle, which he then informed me that “he doesn’t think he owes me anything.” We informed the court that we did not settle and they sent a court order for mediation. On that order, it stated both parties had to exchange evidence within 21 days. I sent mine before the deadline, he did not.

I filed a motion to compel and requested the court deny him evidence and witnesses. He sent back an answer saying that he sent the evidence 2 weeks late (the day I called the clerks office and ask what I should do, and he mailed it that day, but I didn’t have that information) and asked for the motion to be denied. In the answer he said he misunderstood and thought he had 21 days after I sent my evidence and stated “being late isn’t the same as refusal.”

I filed Friday, he answered Tuesday, and our scheduled mediation is on Wednesday next week. I haven’t gotten an answer from the court, but I am wondering what the likelihood is of them agreeing to my motion.

Both parties are pro se (representing ourselves).