COVID-19 and Colorado State Courts

Lyons Gaddis COVID-19 Alert

This Alert is one in a collection of articles created by Lyons Gaddis in our effort to get important information to our clients regarding the effect of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in the United States.  This Alert focuses on small business owners who are dealing with closures and other challenges in response to recommended or mandated social distancing measures in the wake of the spreading coronavirus 

March 27, 2020
COVID-19 and Colorado State Courts
By Kyna K. Glover, Paralegal

From the Colorado Judicial COVID – 19 Important Announcement

As the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak in Colorado develops, the Judicial Department is continually working to balance legitimate public health considerations with the necessity to maintain fair and effective administration of justice for citizens and communities in our state. 

Each jurisdiction is posting materials on this website with important information for jurors, litigants, and probationers about protocols for appearing in court.  This information is in response to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak, and outlines the decisions and procedures created by each court to operate during the outbreak.  Information is available for county and district courts via the court’s individual webpage.

This public health event is rapidly changing and the Supreme Court of Colorado will continuously update information for each court as it becomes available. Please click on the link https://www.courts.state.co.us/announcements/COVID-19.cfm to access the information for each court in the state.  In some cases, you may need to contact the court directly for more information

For a list of the Colorado state court operations which are not suspended: March 16 court operations order by Chief Justice Nathan B. Coats

State courts will continue operations for matters considered emergencies, such as petitions for extreme risk protection orders and shelter hearings in dependency and neglect proceedings. Chief judges in some judicial districts have issued orders postponing trials April 3, including the 1st (Gilpin, Jefferson) and 20th (Boulder) judicial districts. Some judicial districts are choosing to nearly close their courthouses to the public.

Some courts will conduct necessary appearances by contemporaneous audio/video  communication proceeding which shall be conducted in a courtroom open to the public and or in a manner that allows members of the public to hear, and, where appropriate, participate in the proceeding.

Prohibition of jury calls has been extended until 5/15/20 except for certain criminal cases which require immediate adjudication or when an imminent or speedy trial is warranted.  Chief Justice Coats’ order of March 20 extending the March 16 order  

The Judge will “Zoom” you now.

The Business Attorneys at Lyons Gaddis are available to advise you in relation to these loan programs and other COVID-19 related matters impacting your current and future business operations.