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.

Local Rules of Practice

NOTICE RE: FEDERAL RULE AMENDMENTS EFFECTIVE DEC. 1, 2022

Please be aware that various federal rules have been amended, eff. Dec. 1, 2022. Please visit the official website of the United States Courts HERE for a complete list of all rule changes, which include appellate, bankruptcy, criminal, and civil rule changes. These federal rule changes do not impact the U.S. District Court, District of Colorado’s local rules and practices, and the U.S. District Court will not be revising any local rules in response to these changes. For a summary of the federal rule changes and the operational impact on District of Colorado existing local rules, please see the attached summary.

Federal Rule Amendments Effective Dec. 1, 2022


U.S. DISTRICT COURT LOCAL RULES REVISIONS
EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 1, 2021

The United States District Court for the District of Colorado reviewed and approved revisions to its Local Rules which become effective December 1, 2021. Please note that the District Court has clarified Local AP Rule 5.2. The latest action does not change the filing requirements for social security appeals, but rather emphasizes that filers should not redundantly seek to file their papers using the docket event "Restricted Document level 1." The links below provide access to the revised rules that will go in effect December 1, the redline version of those rules, and a summary compilation of the affected rules reflecting this cycle's revisions.

The Advisory Committee on the Local Rules of Practice and Procedure in 2021 continued its review of public suggestions and comments for improvements to the local rules. In the 2020-2021 rules cycle the Local Rule revisions do the following:

  • Amend the civil rules. The civil cover sheet requirements have been modified; a formalized method for unrepresented parties to send documents for filing by e-mail created; the exception to the duty to confer re: incarcerated parties clarified; and some style changes added.
  • Revise a criminal rule. The level of confidentiality of bail reports has been modified, permitting a restricted copy to be available to parties.
  • Modify the agency appeal rules. The AP rules are revised re: the civil cover sheet; a new rule created to safeguard plaintiffs’ privacy concerns; a page limit set in Social Security appeal briefing; and the election deadline for magistrate judge consent jurisdiction clarified.
  • Enhance the attorney rules. Section V – Attorney Rules are clarified re: 1) the Disciplinary Panel’s role; 2) criminal conduct as grounds for discipline; 3) Committee on Conduct’s authority to not pursue a disciplinary complaint; 4) the conditional admission agreement timeframe; 5) interim suspension objections; and 6) reimbursement for attorney fees and costs to Committee members when sued.

  • Download Local Rules Effective December 1, 2021

    Download Local Rules Effective December 1, 2021 (Redline/Strikeout Version)

    Compilation of Local Revisions effective Dec. 1, 2021

    Summary Chart of Local and Federal Rule Changes effective December 1, 2021


    The Advisory Committee on the Local Rules always welcomes comments from court users, members of the bar, and the public at large. You may submit comments or suggestions for future rule additions or revisions – please send your comments or suggestions to:

    LocalRule_Comments@cod.uscourts.gov

    Please note that public comments will be archived and available for public viewing on completion of each local rule cycle, after approval for posting by the court’s Advisory Committee on the Local Rules of Practice. The archiving and public viewing availability will begin with the 2022-2023 Local Rules Cycle. Therefore, please be aware that comments currently submitted will be available to the public for viewing after Dec. 1, 2023.

    Comments must be submitted by June 1 of each year to be considered for the next rules revision cycle.

    Archived (Superseded) Local Rules, Summaries of Local Rules, and General Orders

    Local Rules of Practice Open for Comment

    There are no proposed amendments available for public comment.