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 News

Public Comment Window Extended for Proposed Local Rule Revisions

The United States District Court for the District of Colorado extends the initial October 10th deadline for public commentary regarding proposed amendments to its local rules. All comments, to include those on the additional proposed special amendments, may now be submitted no later than Saturday, November 1, 2025. The proposed amendments can be found by visiting the local rules page on the U.S. District Court website, under the "Local Rules of Practice Open for Comment" column, HERE. Please e-mail comments to LocalRule_Comments@cod.uscourts.gov and be sure to identify the specific local rule amendment to which your comment(s) relate.

 

CM/ECF Scheduled Maintenance

CM/ECF will be periodically unavailable from 7:00AM to 12:00PM on Saturday, October 11, 2025 while we perform scheduled maintenance.

 

Additional Proposed Local Rule Revisions

With the implementation of General Order 2025-2 last week, which establishes new procedures for access and management of sealed and restricted documents via the Secure Document Storage (SDS) system, the United States District Court for the District of Colorado announces additional proposed special amendments to its local rules and invites public comment. Like the original set of proposed amendments, the SDS-related amendments can also be accessed by visiting the Local Rules page on this website, HERE. All comments on SDS-related amendments must be submitted no later than Saturday, November 1, 2025. Please email comments to LocalRule_Comments@cod.uscourts.gov and be sure to identify the specific local rule amendment to which your comment(s) relate.

 

Notice Regarding Impending Government Shutdown

If the federal government enters a lapse in appropriations (aka "a shutdown") on October 1, 2025, the United States District Court and the United States Probation Offices will remain open, and all court operations will continue as scheduled. During Phase 1 of a lapse in of appropriations balances from fees and no-year appropriations allow the judiciary to sustain operations until those fees and appropriations are exhausted. Once those fees and appropriations are exhausted, the judiciary has no available funds to continue operations and enters Phase 2 of a lapse in appropriations. During Phase 2 of a lapse in appropriations the judiciary must reduce operations to perform only excepted activities. The Court will issue further guidance regarding excepted activities should the lapse in appropriations progress into Phase 2.

 

Procedures for Access and Management of Sealed and Restricted Documents

On September 24, 2025, Chief Judge Brimmer entered General Order 2025-2 regarding procedures for access and management of sealed and restricted documents (hereinafter referred to as "sealed documents"). Effective immediately, sealed documents will continue to be filed in CM/ECF under existing procedures but will no longer be accessible or viewable by electronic means. Because sealed documents filed in CM/ECF will no longer be accessible or viewable electronically, service cannot be accomplished through CM/ECF. Instead, parties will have to serve sealed documents by other appropriate means as provided by the Federal Rules of Procedure. The Court will serve sealed documents in paper by US mail. A party with the right to access a sealed document in a case who requires a copy of a sealed document must contact the Clerk's Office. Requests for paper copies of sealed documents will be subject to the current docket copy fee rate. For more information and a copy of the General Order please click here.
Any questions about the filing of and access to sealed documents should be directed to the Clerk's Office at 303-844-3433.

 

Proposed Local Rule Revisions

The United States District Court for the District of Colorado announces proposed amendments to its local rules and invites public comment. The proposed amendments can be found by visiting the local rules page on the U.S. District Court website, under the "Local Rules of Practice Open for Comment" column, HERE. All comments must be submitted no later than Friday, October 10, 2025. Please e-mail comments to LocalRule_Comments@cod.uscourts.gov and be sure to identify the specific local rule amendment to which your comment(s) relate.

 

Important Notice for Individuals Attempting to Pay a U.S. District Court Violation Notice On-line

A fake website is currently impersonating www.cvb.uscourts.gov and may attempt to collect personal or financial information fraudulently. The only official website for paying a U.S. District Court Violation Notice is www.cvb.uscourts.gov. If you are paying online, please verify the web address carefully and report suspicious activity to the Central Violations Bureau (CVB) at 800-827-2982 or info@cvb.uscourts.gov. Alternatively, you may pay a ticket over the phone by calling the CVB at the same number.

 

Upcoming Events

Faculty of Federal Advocates presents:

"2024 in Perspective: Analysis of the Business of the Federal District Court"
When: Friday, October 17, 2025, 12 noon-1:15 p.m.
Where: Arraj Courthouse, 901 19th Street, Denver
2 general CLE credits granted.

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). 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.

 

Faculty of Federal Advocates presents:

"Ethics Review: A Survey of Recent Proposed and Adopted Changes to the Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct"
When: Tuesday, October 21, 2025, 12 noon-1:15 p.m.
Where: Arraj Courthouse, 901 19th Street, Denver
2 ethics/general CLE credits requested.

The Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct provide the standards of professional responsibility for attorneys practicing in the District of Colorado, see D.C.Colo.LAttyR 2, and staying up to date is vital for federal practitioners. This presentation will discuss how the Rules of Professional Conduct are created, the role of the Standing Committee on the Rules of Professional Conduct, and the changes and additions to the Rules over the years since we emerged from COVID-19, including approved and pending changes to Rule 1.16 (Duty to investigate suspicious circumstances, Rule 1.5 (Duty to communicate in writing the basis or rate of fee and the scope of representation), and the use of artificial intelligence (Preamble and Scope; Rule 1.1 and proposed rule 1.19). Click HERE  to register for this program.

 

Naturalization Ceremony – October 23, 2025

Courtroom A-201, Alfred A. Arraj U.S. Courthouse
United States Bankruptcy Judge Joseph G. Rosania, Jr.
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.

 

Faculty of Federal Advocates presents:

The Forum—Thriving in Times of Change: Strategies for Enhancing Professional Presence, Communicating Constructively Across Diverse Viewpoints and Excelling in Stressful Times.
When: Friday, November 7, 2025, 1:30-4:30 p.m.
Where: Denver Westin Downtown, 1672 Lawrence Street Denver
1 ethics/4 general CLE credits granted.

The Forum provides an inspiring, interactive, and collaborative setting in which to address challenges that we face in the legal profession. It is intended to promote deeper awareness and understanding of ourselves, and to offer real-life tools for managing difficult issues that often receive less attention in traditional legal education and conversation among lawyers. Click HERE to register for this program.