The United States District Court
District of Colorado

Hon. Philip A. Brimmer, Chief Judge
Jeffrey P. Colwell Esq., Clerk of Court

Our mission is to serve the public by providing a fair and impartial forum that ensures equal access to justice in accordance with the rule of law, protects rights and liberties of all persons, and resolves cases in a timely and efficient manner.

Court Interpreter Information

INTERPRETER SERVICES

Pursuant to the Court Interpreter’s Act (28 USC § 1827), each federal court is required to provide, at judiciary expense, an interpreter in judicial proceedings instituted by the United States for a party who speaks only or primarily a language other than English. Additionally, pursuant to Judicial Conference Policy (September 1995), each federal court is required to provide, at judiciary expense, sign language interpreters, or other appropriate auxiliary aids, for services to participants in federal court proceedings (civil as well as criminal) who are deaf, hearing-impaired, or have other communications disabilities.

The District Court for the District of Colorado has a pool of contract certified Spanish interpreters. Other language interpreters are available on a freelance basis when needed. The Courtroom Services Division of the Clerk’s Office oversees interpreter services.

Type of Proceeding

Service Provided
In-Court Criminal Matters As required, an interpreter will be present at every court proceeding scheduled before a U.S. District Court judge or magistrate judge.
Meetings/interviews in Lock-up (Cell Block) Before or after a Court Proceeding, or Interviews with Family Members These meetings are not automatically covered by the court’s interpreters. In-court matters take precedence over lock-up visits. Every attempt will be made to provide this additional service as a courtesy, but it cannot be guaranteed.
Out-of-court Attorney-client Consultations for CJA Counsel, Federal Public Defenders and Probation Officers CJA Attorneys and Federal Public Defenders are responsible for arranging their own interpreters. Probation Officers should call the Interpreter Desk to schedule an interpreter.
Privately Retained Counsel Defendants with privately retained counsel are required to obtain, and pay for, their own interpreter.
Defense Witnesses for Scheduled In-court Proceedings Contact the Interpreter Desk at least 48 hours in advance of court proceedings to arrange for interpreters.
Our office does not provide translation service. Certified translators may be found through the American Translators Association.
Civil Matters The District Court for the District of Colorado is NOT responsible for providing, at judiciary expense, an interpreter for civil matters unless the case was filed by the United States. If you are searching for available interpreters, a list of certified interpreters may be found through the pool of contract certified Spanish interpreters. For all other languages than Spanish, you may contact claudia_iglesias@cod.uscourts.gov.