The United States District Court
District of Colorado

The Advisory Committee on the Local Rules of Practice and Procedure is now accepting comments relating to the adoption of new rules or the amendment of existing rules. The comment period will end May 30, 2025, at 11:59:59 p.m. (MDT). You may email your comment to LocalRule_Comments@cod.uscourts.gov. If you are proposing an amendment, be sure to clearly identify the rule to which you are referring.

The District of Colorado is pleased to share that the judges of the Court have selected Ms. Kyla Hamilton as the next Chief U.S. Probation Officer for the District of Colorado. Ms. Hamilton has served as the District's Deputy Chief U.S. Probation Officer for the past three years. She will replace current Chief U.S. Probation Officer, Elizabeth Russell, who is retiring at the end of May. Ms. Hamilton's first day as Chief will be on Monday, June 2, 2025.

The United States District Court for the District of Colorado announces the designation of Magistrate Judge Scott T. Varholak as the Chief Magistrate Judge for the District of Colorado.

The chief magistrate judge is designated based on seniority and has a four-year term. In addition to the normal duties as magistrate judge, the duties of the chief magistrate judge include: coordinating and leading regular meetings of the magistrate judges; being available as a liaison between the magistrate judges and the chief district judge, the clerk of the court, the U.S. Probation Office, and other stakeholders who work with the magistrate judges; providing support and guidance to newly appointed magistrate judges; helping to ensure an even distribution of work among the magistrate judges; and meeting periodically with the chief district judge to discuss administrative matters.

United States Magistrate Judge Cyrus Y. Chung was sworn into office on January 6, 2025 by Chief Judge Philip A. Brimmer. A formal investiture will be planned for a later date. Judge Chung's chambers are in C-254 of the Byron G. Rogers Courthouse, and he is assigned to courtroom C-205. His chambers telephone number is: 303-335-2761. Cases assigned to Judge Chung will be identified on the docket by his initials CYC.

The U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado, and the Clerk's Office, will remain open during normal business hours Thursday, January 9th. Individual judicial officers may choose to close their respective chambers to honor the memory of former President James E. Carter, Jr. Any changes to scheduled hearings will be reflected in CM/ECF.

Effectively immediately, U.S. Magistrate Judge Susan Prose's chambers have moved to A532 on the 5th floor of the Arraj Courthouse. All future hearings before Judge Prose will now be heard in courtroom A502.

"The Business Records Exception: Loophole or Eye of the Needle"
When: Wednesday, April 30, 2025, 12 noon-1:15 p.m.
Where: Arraj Courthouse, 901 19th Street, Denver
2 general CLE credits requested.

The business records exception to the hearsay rule is one of the most frequently litigated—and often misunderstood—provisions in the Federal Rules of Evidence. In this interactive CLE, Chief Judge Brimmer and FFA Board Member Rob Addy will demystify the exception, highlight recent developments from the Tenth Circuit, and demonstrate real-world strategies for raising and responding to objections. Click HERE to register for this program.

"Fireside Chat with U.S. District Court Gordon Gallagher"
When: Thursday, May 15, 2025, 12 noon-1:15 p.m.
Where: BYRON ROGERS COURTHOUSE, 1621 Stout Street, Denver NOTE LOCATION
2 general CLE credits requested.

Join the FFA for a conversation with Judge Gallagher exploring his years on the federal bench, including the unique aspects of presiding over cases on the Western Slope, what works (and what doesn't) for oral argument and briefing, and the key differences between sitting as a District Judge and a Magistrate Judge. Click HERE to register for the program.

"Witness Wrangling: How to Secure Testimony You Need, When You Need It"
When: Wednesday, May 21, 2025, 12 noon-1:15 p.m.
Where: Arraj Courthouse, 901 19th Street, Denver
2 general CLE credits requested.

Getting witness testimony at a hearing or trial is often far from straightforward. This program will cover how to successfully navigate some of the most challenging and recurring problems in both securing—and effectively using—witness testimony in federal litigation. Click HERE to register for this program.

"Balancing the Scales: Leadership Strategies for Lawyer Well-Being"
When: Thursday, May 29, 2025, 12 noon-1:15 p.m.
Where: Webinar
2 general/1.5 ethics CLE credits granted.

The legal profession is renowned for its demanding nature, requiring leaders to navigate high-pressure environments while supporting their teams' well-being. Effective leadership in legal workplaces involves recognizing stressors, fostering resilience, and cultivating a culture of support and belonging. This presentation provides legal leaders with strategies to address well-being challenges, sustain professional excellence, and create a supportive workplace environment. Topics will include:
• Leadership, Professional Pain Points & The Value of Belonging;
• Recognizing Signs and Symptoms as a Leader; 
• Leading a Culture of Peer and Organizational Support; and
• Takeaways for Legal Leaders.

Click HERE to register for this program.

"The Fundamentals and Best Practices for Arbitration in Colorado"
When: Tuesday, June 3, 2025, 12 noon-1:15 p.m.
Where: Webinar
2 general CLE credits requested.

Join John Chase and Mike Laszlo to discuss the fundamentals of arbitration in Colorado. Including best practices for drafting arbitration provisions, overview of FAA and CRUAA, interplay between the two, rules selections, overview of enforcing and vacating awards, discussion of recent cases. Click HERE to register for this program.

"Professionalism and Civility in the U.S. District Court"
When: Tuesday, June 10, 2025, 3-5 p.m. NOTE PROGRAM TIME
Where: Arraj Courthouse, 901 19th Street, Denver
3 general/ethics CLE credits requested.

Please join the Faculty of Federal Advocates and the American College of Trial Lawyers for a special event on civility in the practice of law in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado. The program will begin with remarks from Senior United States District Judge John L. Kane, who will share his observations on the decrease in civility observed during his nearly half century on the bench. Mike O'Donnell and Carolyn Fairless of Wheeler Trigg O'Donnell, LLP will then share an overview of the American College of Trial Lawyers' Code of Pretrial and Trial Conduct, which sets aspirational guidelines for trial lawyers and judges regarding civility in the practice of law and was recently approved as a Court policy by the judges in the District of Colorado. After the overview, Ms. Fairless and Mr. O'Donnell will be joined by Senior United States District Judge William J. Martinez, United States District Judge S. Kato Crews, and United States Magistrate Judge N. Reid Neureiter for a robust discussion on civility in the practice of law in the District of Colorado. Click HERE to register for the program.