The United States District Court
District of Colorado

The United States District Court has revised and updated the standard Proposed Scheduling Order, along with the Instructions, so that the documents conform to federal rule changes of the past few years. Please note the Discovery Limitations and Case Plan and Schedule sections have been slightly restructured – the paragraph setting the deadlines for service of discovery requests has been moved from Part 9 to Part 8. The revised form is available HERE.

 

In accordance with Volume 3, Chap. 4, § 420 of the Judicial Conference Regulations for the Selection, Appointment, and Reappointment of United States Magistrate Judges, the Court has appointed a Merit Selection Panel to review the current service of incumbent Magistrate Judge Gordon P. Gallagher, as part-time magistrate judge and other experience, the comments from members of the bar and public, and other evidence of the incumbent's good character, experience, ability, and commitment to equal justice under the law. The appointment order is available HERE.

 

The United States District Court for the District of Colorado reviewed and approved revisions to its Criminal Justice Act Plan and the Appendix to the Plan. These revisions have been approved by the 10th Circuit Judicial Council and become effective on January 1, 2020. The new CJA Plan and the Appendix are available HERE.

 

Ratified on December 15, 1791, a day now celebrated annually as Bill of Rights Day, the first 10 Amendments to the U.S. Constitution were a response to broad public fears that a new national government might run roughshod over individuals and states.

 

Effective December 1, 2019 U.S. District Judges Christine M. Arguello, William J. Martínez, R. Brooke Jackson, and Daniel D. Domenico have published revised criminal and civil practice standards. They are listed under the respective judicial officer HERE.

 

The United States District Court for the District of Colorado reviewed and approved revisions to its Local Rules which become effective December 1, 2019.

The Advisory Committee on the Local Rules of Practice and Procedure in 2019 continued its review of public suggestions and comments for improvements to the local rules. In the 2019 rules cycle the Committee efforts included the following: clarifications of the duties of magistrate judges, refinements to the notification process to the court regarding ADA accommodations, a bankruptcy matter revision, criminal motion and sentencing document refinements, further revisions regarding special assignments of criminal cases, revisions to the AP rules on Joint Case Management Plans and Social Security appeal briefing schedules, and recognition of the Federal Pro Se Clinic’s standards of conduct and student practice rules.

The amendments can be found in final form and redline/strikeout versions by visiting the link below.

Visit the Local Rules page

 

Applications must be submitted by January 31, 2020. Eligibility requirements and application instructions may be found HERE.

 

As of August 30, 2019, unless otherwise notified, all hearings for Magistrate Judge S. Kato Crews will be held in Courtroom 201 (C201) in the Byron G. Rogers Courthouse at 1929 Stout Street, Denver, CO 80294.

As of September 6, 2019, unless otherwise notified, all hearings for Magistrate Judge N. Reid Neureiter will be held in Courtroom 203 (C203) in the Byron G. Rogers Courthouse at 1929 Stout Street, Denver, CO 80294.

 

The District Court has selected Edward R. Harris, Valeria N. Spencer, Patrick D. Tooley, and Sara C. Van Deusen as new members of the Committee on Conduct to replace Suneeta Hazra, David P. Hersh, Jeffrey S. Pagliuca, and Robert W. Pepin. An order signed by Chief Judge Philip A. Brimmer on September 5, 2019, reflecting that decision as well as the composition, terms, and officers of the Committee can be found HERE.

 

The United States District Court for the District of Colorado hereby adopts the following standard conditions for Probation and Supervised Release. Effective July 16, 2019, these conditions will be considered in conjunction with imposition of sentences in criminal cases. GO 2019-6 is available HERE.

 

Pursuant to the provisions of the Criminal Justice Act, Title 18, U.S.C. §3006A(a)(1) and (c), and the discretion of the Court, the Office of the Federal Public Defender for the Districts of Colorado and Wyoming is hereby appointed to represent any defendant who may qualify for federal habeas relief under 28 U.S.C. § 2255 in light of Rehaif v. United States, ___U.S. ___, 2019 WL 2552487 (June 23, 2019). GO 2019-5 is available HERE.

 

Having established the efficacy of the Pro Se Clinic, the Court approves its continued operation in accordance with the terms of the agreement with the Colorado Bar Association. GO 2019-4 is available HERE.

 

Having now established the efficacy of doing so, the Court approves the location of a full-time magistrate judge in the Pueblo jury division (JD4). GO 2019-3 is available HERE.

 

Effective July 1, 2019 U.S. District Judge Daniel D. Domenico has published his criminal and civil practice standards. They are available HERE.

 

Effective August 1, 2019, U.S. District Judge Raymond P. Moore has new Civil Practice Standards. Please visit Judicial Officers / Active Article III Judges / Hon. Raymond P. Moore on this website, also available here.

 

The United States District Court is seeking applications for appointment to the court’s Committee on Conduct. The Committee on Conduct presides over attorney disciplinary matters, as defined in D.C.COLO.LAttyR 6(c). There are currently four upcoming vacancies on the Committee. For more information, please see the attached announcement.

 

It is with great sadness that the United States District Court for the District of Colorado announces the death of Senior United States District Judge Richard P. Matsch. Judge Matsch died on May 26, 2019. President Richard M. Nixon appointed Judge Matsch to the United States District Court for the District of Colorado in 1974. He served as Chief Judge for the District of Colorado from 1994 to 2000. A private ceremony will be held. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Southeastern Community College, Matsch Brothers Scholarship Fund, 1500 W. Agency Rd., West Burlington, Iowa 52655. Cards and letters may be sent to Judge Matsch's chambers address. A formal press release is available HERE.

 

Upon the passing of Senior Judge Wiley Y. Daniel, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:  Effective May 22, 2019, and in accordance with D.C.COLO.LCivR 40.1 and D.C.COLO.LAPR 10.3, all pending and future AP cases will be assigned to either Senior Judge Marcia S. Krieger or Senior Judge Robert E. Blackburn for pre-merits management. General Order 2015-3 is hereby vacated. GO 2019-2 is available HERE.

 

United States District Judge Daniel D. Domenico was sworn in to office on the afternoon of May 16, 2019 by Chief Judge Philip A. Brimmer.  A formal investiture ceremony will be planned for a later date.  Judge Domenico’s chambers are located in A-738 of the Alfred A. Arraj Courthouse and he is assigned to courtroom A-702.  Chamber’s telephone number is: 303-335-2468.   Cases assigned to Judge Domenico will be identified on the docket by his initials DDD.

 

 

It is with great sadness that the United States District Court for the District of Colorado announces the death of Senior United States District Judge Wiley Y. Daniel. Judge Daniel died on May 10, 2019. Judge Daniel's Memorial Service will be on Saturday, June 8th at 10:00 at Park Hill United Methodist Church. Additional info here. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial, tax-deductible donations to The Daniel Family Fund of The Denver Foundation, 55 Madison St., 8th floor, Denver, CO 80206. Online donations accepted here (select "Daniel Family Fund" in the list at the bottom of the page). Cards and letters may be mailed or delivered to Judge Daniel's chambers here in the Arraj Courthouse. A formal press release is available HERE.

 

Pursuant to the provisions of the Criminal Justice Act, Title 18, U.S.C. § 3006A(a)(1) and (c), the Office of the Federal Public Defender for the District of Colorado is hereby appointed to provide an initial advisement of the application of the First Step Act to all defendants convicted in this District who may be eligible for retroactive relief under Section 404 of the Act, and may pursue relief on behalf of eligible defendants. GO 2019-1 is available HERE.

 

Beginning Monday, Oct. 1, 2018 through Monday, Dec. 31, 2018 AND EXTENDED THROUGH JAN. 31, 2019, the U.S. District Court will begin collecting a $50.00 fee from all USDC members admitted before Oct. 1 (this includes US Bankruptcy Court bar members) that will be imposed every two years.  The fee will be used to fund the Federal Pro Se Clinic (see Aug. 16, 2018 Press Release). Please note that the fee is waived for attorneys employed by the United States government and serving in a legal capacity for it. For more information on how to pay the fee, how to determine if you are a bar member, or other bar membership matters, visit the Attorney Services Portal page of this website.

 

**Effective January 1, 2019** The Clerk’s Office will only accept up to $5.00 in loose or rolled coins for payment of fees related to federal cases or any other office business.

 

The District of Colorado's CM/ECF system will be unavailable from 6:00PM on Friday, June 12, 2020 through 12:00pm on Saturday, June 13, 2020 while the court performs scheduled maintenance. Please plan accordingly.

This system will also be unavailable from 8:00AM to 12:00PM on Saturday, June 20, 2020 while the court performs scheduled maintenance. Please plan accordingly.

 

"Update on Court Operations During COVID-19 and on General Procedures and Practices on the Western Slope"- U.S. Magistrate Judge Gordon P. Gallagher, U.S. District Court
When: Thursday, June 11, 2020, 12 NOON - 1:15 p.m.
Where: Webinar
2 General CLE Credits requested.

The COVID-19 pandemic has required courts nationwide to modify their operating procedures. This update will discuss the District of Colorado's procedures as of June 11, 2020 and any known plans going forward. In addition, this event will address practices and procedures unique to the Western Slope and Grand Junction, in particular. Registration is required.

To register, visit the Faculty of Federal Advocates website here.