For additional information, please contact an intake clerk of this court.
United States District Court for the District of Colorado
Alfred A. Arraj United States Courthouse
901 19th Street, Room A-105
Denver, Colorado 80294-3589
303-844-3433
Guide for Filing Federal Civil Suits
| Download Filing Instructions
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See Electronic Case Filing Procedures Section V.D. The filing parties need to submit the following electronically: (Note: only one copy of each document is needed when filing electronically.)
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Civil Cover Sheet
(See D.C.COLO.LCivR 3.1A)
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Only the original of Form JS 44 (Rev. 11/04) is required. Please insert county of residence of plaintiff in Section I(b). If the United States is the plaintiff, insert county of residence of defendant. If the case has been removed from state court, furnish the county of residence of both plaintiff and defendant. If case is related to an action in this or other court, you must complete a Related Case form. The Civil Cover Sheet must be signed by counsel.
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| Complaint
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Original with exhibits, if any, for the court. One copy for each defendant to be served as required. When an agent or agency of the U.S. GOVERNMENT OR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is named, one copy is needed for each named defendant, plus a copy for the U.S. Attorney and one more for the U.S. Attorney General. (Example: Eve E. Slater, M.D., F.A.C.C, Secretary of Health and Human Services will require three copies.)
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Signature
(See D.C.COLO.LCivR 83.5)
(See Electronic Case Filing Procedures)
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The complaint must be signed by a member of the bar of this court. Counsel's name, complete address, telephone number, email address and party represented must be on all pleadings. The name and address of the plaintiff must be typed on the last page of the complaint.
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| Summons
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Summons request filed electronically or as an attachment to complaint.
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| Service
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Service must be made in accordance with Rule 4 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Except for process served on behalf of the government, under the Criminal Justice Act, or in extraordinary circumstances, the marshal declines to serve process in the absence of a special order of court.
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| Court Fees
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$402.00 filing fee in cash, money order, credit card or check payable to the CLERK, U.S. DISTRICT COURT for each case (whether complaint or notice of removal.)
There are NO fees for jury demand, answer, counterclaims, etc.
$5.00 filing fee for Habeas Corpus, 28 U.S.C. § 2241 and § 2254 actions. $455.00 filing fee and docketing fee for notice of appeal (to be paid together).
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Notice of Removal
(See D.C.COLO.LCivR 81.1)
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Original notice of removal shall be filed electronically, in accordance with 28 U.S.C. § 1446. Additionally, pursuant to D.C.COLO.LCivR 81.1, a removing party shall promptly file with this court any state court pleadings, pursuant to the Procedural Filing Guideline - Notice of Removal. If a hearing is pending in the state court, the state court judge shall be notified of the removal and federal judge shall be notified of state court setting. A copy of the Certificate of Service to all counsel and the state court is required.
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FYI- The Court has a file size limit for PDF documents filed in ECF. Any single PDF document larger than the maximum file size limit must be separated into multiple parts. The current file size limit can be found here. Attorneys must file ALL subsequent pleadings through the Court's ECF system.
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Case Filing Frequently Asked Questions
Can sealed documents be filed?
Yes, Civil Cases see D.C.COLO.LCivR 7.2 and 7.3 of the Local Rules of Practice.
Criminal Cases see D.C.COLO.LCrR 47.1 and 47.2 of the Local Rules of Practice.
What is the filing fee?
The filing fee for a civil action, suit, or proceeding is $402.00. Please refer to the Fee Schedule on the Court's Home Page for a complete list of fees that the District of Colorado charges.
What do I need when filing a new case and requesting a temporary restraining order?
See Electronic Case Filing Procedures, Sections V.D. and F.1., and attorney case opening instructions, no copies are needed.
Temporary Restraining Order Checklist
1) Complaint
2) Civil Cover Sheet
3) Summons
4) $402.00 Filing Fee
You will also need the following...
A. A motion for a temporary restraining order pursuant to FRCP 65 (supporting authority should be incorporated into the motion).
B. Any affidavits that may be required or you wish to file.
C. A proposed Temporary Restraining Order.
D. A completed Temporary Restraining Order Information Sheet. (PDF)
E. You should be prepared to post a TRO Bond if required. Cash Surety
F. You should file a case as early in the day as possible if there is a need for a hearing that same day.
G. Unless you are asking for an ex parte TRO you will need to comply with D.C.COLO.LCivR 7.1A. See also D.C.COLO.LCivR 65.1.
When filing a motion for temporary restraining order, in new cases, please bring this to the attention of the Clerk's Office by calling 303-844-3433 if filing such a motion after the commencement of the action.