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.

Different Ways to File Into Your Case

Unrepresented parties have several different ways by which they may file into their case. Regardless of how you file, you must follow these requirements:

  • Include your name, address, and phone number on the document.
  • Sign the document, either electronically ["s/(name)"]  or by hand ("wet signature").
  • Provide service to the other parties on your case as required by the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.

Documents received after 5:00 pm will be deemed filed the next business day.

Here are the different ways that an unrepresented party may file into a case:

  1. Bring your document to the Clerk's Office

You can bring your document to the Clerk's Office and file it in person with a deputy clerk. The Clerk's Office operates on the 1st floor of the Alfred A. Arraj Courthouse which is located at 901 19th Street, Denver, Colorado, 80294.

  1. Mail your document to the Clerk's Office

You can send your document through U.S. mail (or an alternate carrier like UPS or FedEx) to the Clerk's Office at 901 19th Street, Denver, Colorado, 80294.

  1. Email your document to the Clerk's Office

Your document must be formatted as either a Microsoft Word document or an Adobe PDF. It must be attached to your email, not imbedded in your email as a link that a clerk will need to click.

  • If your document is a complaint intended to create a new case, type "PRO SE FILING – NEW CASE" in the Subject line.
  • If your document is being filed into a case that already exists, type "PRO SE FILING – [case number]" in the Subject line.

Only the attachment - not the actual email or contents appearing in the body of the email - will be filed into the case. Third party emails (e.g. sent by FedEx Office Print & Ship Center) are not accepted.

If your email is successfully received in the Clerk's Office, you will receive an automated reply confirmation. If you do not receive a confirmation, contact the Clerk's Office at (303) 844-3433 and select Option "0".

  1. E-file your document through CM/ECF

The District of Colorado uses NextGen Case Management/Electronic Case Filing (CM/ECF) software to maintain its court records. CM/ECF allows case participants to electronically file pleadings and receive case documents. All courts using NextGen CM/ECF, including the District of Colorado, can be accessed through the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system. Therefore, should you wish to electronically file ("e-file") in the District of Colorado, you will need to create a PACER account and apply for e-filing privileges through PACER.

Register for a PACER account here.

Before applying for e-filing privileges, make sure the following statements apply to you:

   ✓ I have an open, active case in this court.
   ✓ My open, active case is civil, not criminal.
   ✓ I am not in jail, prison, or any other custodial facility.
   ✓ I do not have an attorney representing me in my open, active civil case.

If you can answer "yes" to each statement above, you are eligible to apply for e-filing privileges. Click here for detailed instructions.