The United States District Court
District of Colorado

On September 9, 2026, Chief Judge Domenico entered General Order 2026-2 which consolidates the Plea Agreement and the Statement by Defendant in Advance of Plea of Guilty forms referenced in D.C.COLO.LCrR 11.1 into one single form now identified as a Plea Agreement and Acknowledgements form. This General Order makes amendments necessary to D.C.COLO.LCrR 11.1 to implement the use of this new single form. Click HERE to read the full text of General Order 2026-2.

The Judges of the United States District Court for the District of Colorado take great pleasure in announcing the reappointment of part-time United States Magistrate Judge James M. Candelaria to a third term of four years effective January 1, 2027. The Court unanimously approved Judge Candelaria's reappointment based upon the recommendation of a Merit Selection Panel, comprised of Colorado attorneys and lay persons, that recently solicited comments from the public relative to Judge Candelaria's performance. Magistrate Judge Candelaria sits in Durango, Colorado.

The United States District Court is seeking applicants 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). The Court anticipates there will be 1 vacancy on the Committee this fall. For more information, please visit the Attorney Discipline page of the court's website available HERE. 

We are receiving many calls from individuals who received a text from the "State of Colorado - In the District of Colorado - For Denver County - Traffic Division" informing the recipient that they have been found delinquent and in default for some undefined traffic violation. The notice includes a QR code that encourages the recipient to scan to pay. THIS IS A SCAM. If you have received any such notice, disregard it, delete it, block the number, and DO NOT SCAN THE QR Code. The United States District Court for the District of Colorado will never send a text seeking an individual to pay any sum of money.

The Judges of the United States District Court for the District of Colorado take great pleasure in announcing the reappointment of United States Magistrate Judge N. Reid Neureiter to a second term of eight years effective August 14, 2026. The Court unanimously approved Judge Neureiter's reappointment based upon the recommendation of a Merit Selection Panel, comprised of Colorado attorneys and lay persons, that recently solicited comments from the public relative to Judge Neureiter's performance.

Courtroom A-201, Alfred A. Arraj U.S. Courthouse
United States Magistrate Judge Kathryn A. Starnella
The U.S. District Court conducts ceremonies for those individuals requesting a name change as part of their naturalization process to become a U.S. Citizen. All questions regarding the naturalization process should be directed to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) at 1-800-375-5283, 12484 E Weaver Pl, Centennial, CO 80111, or contact the USCIS here.

"2025 in Perspective: Analysis of the Business of the Federal District Court"
When: Friday, September 18, 2026, 12 noon-1:15 p.mm.
Where: Arraj Courthouse, 901 18th Street, Denver
2 General CLE Credits Requested.

During this annual CLE presentation, Magistrate Judge Neureiter will provide information that practitioners can use to help the Court fulfill the aspirations of Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 1 (the just, speedy, and inexpensive determination of every action or proceeding). The report presents data on civil and criminal trial results and timing, as well as longer-term cumulative data and trends. Magistrate Judge Neureiter's analysis of court filings and trials in the District provides critical data for all attorneys who litigate in federal court in Colorado and for their clients. Click HERE to register for this program.

"Sneak Attack Federal Civil Practice: Stuff You Don't Think About But Should"
When: Monday, September 28, 2026, 12 noon-1:15 p.m.
Where: Webinar
2 General CLE Credits Requested.

The costliest federal litigation traps are the default rules and quiet deadlines that foreclose an argument before you know it's at risk. Bryan Cross and Mike Laszlo cover the traps that catch even seasoned practitioners: punitive-damages pleading under Erie, Rule 16(b) & 15(a) amendments, snap removal and LLC-citizenship pitfalls, personal jurisdiction after Ford and Mallory, the critical two-step Rule 50 sequence that preserves your appeal and more! Click HERE to register for this program.

"Pro Bono Opportunities in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado"
When: Tuesday, October 27, 2026, 12 noon-1:30 p.m.
Where: 370 17th Street, Suite 4500, Denver
2 General CLE credits requested.

The Court has a wide range of services to assist litigants on a pro bono basis, including the Federal Pro Se Clinic, the Federal Limited Appearance Program, and the Civil Pro Bono Panel. If you have ever wondered about these programs or how to get involved in them, this CLE will provide the information you need to get started. Our esteemed panel will explain the differences in the programs, the scope of the representation, the time commitment, and the potential opportunities to gain on-your-feet experience in federal court if you take one of these matters. Click HERE to register for this program.

"The 3 E's: Exploring the Courtroom Through the Lenses of Ethics, Etiquette, and Equipment"
When: Thursday, October 29, 2026, 12 noon-1:15 p.m.
Where: Arraj Courthouse, 901 19th Street, Denver
.5 Ethics/2 General CLE credits requested.

The 3 E's: exploring the courtroom through the lenses of ethics, etiquette, and equipment. A panel will present on the rules, standards, and policies that govern courtroom ethics and etiquette. A hands-on technology demonstration of the courtroom will follow. Click HERE to register for this program.