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Policies of the Colorado Court of Appeals
Remote Oral Argument:
Requests for Oral Arguments after September 1, 2021.
The Court of Appeals strongly favors holding oral arguments at the Ralph L. Carr Colorado Judicial Center.
However, the Court recognizes that for counsel not located along the Colorado Front Range, travel to Denver for oral arguments increases costs to their clients. Additionally, travel to Denver may be hampered by adverse weather.
The Court also recognizes that other reasons may exist (or arise) that constitute good cause for a case to be set for remote oral argument.
Therefore, to ensure that all litigants have access to oral argument before the Court of Appeals as provided for and subject to C.A.R. 34, counsel may move to have a case set for remote oral arguments under the conditions set forth in the linked policy.
Filing Policies:
Record & Public Access Policies:
- Policy on Records Checkout (PDF)
- Policy on Public Access to Court Records in the Colorado Court of Appeals (PDF)
- Access Form (PDF document)
- Access Guide to Public Records (Page Link)
Citation Policies:
- Policy on Citation to the Record (PDF)
- Appellate Rule 32(f) regarding prohibiting the use of names of Children and Sexual Assault Victims (PDF)
- Policy concerning citation of unpublished opinions:
- Citation of unpublished opinions is forbidden, with the following exceptions:
- (1) Unpublished opinions may be cited to explain the case history or to establish the doctrines of law of the case, res judicata, or collateral estoppel;
- (2) This policy shall not apply to opinions that were designated as "Not Selected for Official Publication" and were announced between January 1, 1970 and November 1, 1975, but nevertheless were published in the Pacific Second Reporter. (Policy adopted April 28, 1994)
- Unpublished opinions are not displayed on this web site.
- Copies of unpublished opinions are provided for private use and are not to be included in an electronic database or otherwise published.
- Citation of unpublished opinions is forbidden, with the following exceptions:
Protocols:
Appeal Materials for
Unemployment Benefits | Workers Compensation
Easy Process
Steps 1 & 2 - Appeal Arguments
- JDF 664 - Combined Notice and Brief
- Non-Lawyers Only
- PDF Fillable
Step 3 - Response
- Instructions (PDF)
- Answer Brief Outline
Step 4 - Last Word (optional)
- Instructions (PDF)
- Reply Brief Outline
Step 5 - Court of Appeals Decision
Traditional Process
Step 1 - Give Notice
- Instructions (PDF)
- JDF 663 - Notice of Appeal
Step 2 - Arguments
- Instructions (PDF)
- Opening Brief Outline
Steps 3 - 5 the same as above.
Special Instructions for Companies
Filing Without a Lawyer
- Instructions (PDF)
- JDF 659 - Motion to File Without a Lawyer
General Forms
1. JDF 657 - Motion for More Time to File
2. JDF 658 - General Use Form
3. JDF 659 - General Motion Form
4. JDF 660 - Change Contact Info
5. JDF 661 - Response to an Order of the Court
6. JDF 662 - Certificate of Service
7. Certificate of Compliance in Briefs
Appeal Materials for
Dependency and Neglect Cases
Step 1 – Give Notice
Step 2 – Record on Appeal
- JDF 547 - Supplemental Designation of Transcripts
- Only used if needed.
Step 3 – Opening Brief
- JDF 1945 - Outline (docx)
- JDF 1949 - ICWA Checklist
- Sample Brief
Step 4 – Answer Brief
- JDF 1946 - Outline (docx)
- JDF 1949 - ICWA Checklist
- Sample Brief
Step 5 – Reply Brief
- This step is optional. No specific form.
- You could use the standard caption (found below) and title, "Reply Brief."
Step 6 – Decision
- A 3-Judge panel will mail its decision.
General Forms
1. Standard Caption for Appellate Documents:
2. Certificate of Compliance for use with all Briefs:
Appeal Materials for
Family Matters | District Civil | Probate Cases
Step 1 - Starting Paperwork
1. Notice of Appeal
2. Transcripts (if any)
Step 2 - Record on Appeal
1. Instructions - PDF
2. District Court sends Record to Court of Appeals.
3. Was the Record Complete? If no:
Step 3 - Written Arguments
1. For the Appeal
- Instructions - PDF
- Opening Brief Form
- Sample Briefs: Civil Case | Juvenile Case
2. Appeal Response
3. Reply to Answer Brief
Step 4 - Decision
- A 3-Judge panel will mail its decision.
General Forms
1. Motion for More Time to File
2. General Caption
3. General Motion
4. Contact Info Change Form
5. Response to an Order
6. Certificate of Compliance for use with all Briefs:
Appeal Materials for
Felony Criminal Cases
Step 1 - Give Notice
- Instructions (PDF)
- JDF 672 - Notice of Appeal
Step 2 - Transcripts
- Instructions (PDF)
- JDF 1932 - Designation of Transcripts
- JDF 4 - Transcript Request Form
- JDF 673 - Motion for State Paid Transcripts
Step 3 - District Court Sends Record
- Instructions (PDF)
- JDF 1934 - Motion to Add to the Record
Step 4 - Arguments for the Appeal
- Instructions (PDF)
- JDF 1935 - Opening Brief - Typed
Step 5 - Response to Government's Argument
- Instructions (PDF)
- JDF 1936 - Reply Brief - Typed
General Forms
1. JDF 666 - Motion for More Time to File
2. JDF 667 - Flexible Caption
3. JDF 668 - General Motion
4. JDF 669 - Notice of Contact Information Change
5. JDF 670 - Response to a Court's Order
6. JDF 671 - Certificate of Service
7. CAR From 6 - Certificate of Compliance in Briefs