IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLORADO
COURT OPERATIONS DISTRICT COURT GENERAL ORDER
DURING THE COVID-19 2021-3
PANDEMIC
This order supersedes General Order 2021-2. The justification for this General Order
remains the same as for General Order 2020-10.
WHEREAS, the Court continues to evaluate its response to the spread of COVID-19
and recognizes the need to assist in the preservation of public safety and health while
effectively administering justice during the COVID-19 pandemic;
WHEREAS, key indicators from the Colorado Department of Public Health &
Environment, including the positivity rate, allow for an increase in certain court operations with
appropriate safety measures in place;
WHEREAS, the Wayne Aspinall Federal Building and United States Courthouse in
Grand Junction, Colorado houses a historic courtroom and other rooms that are insufficient in
size and cannot be configured to meet social distancing requirements for certain types of court
proceedings;
WHEREAS, the United States courtroom in Colorado Springs, Colorado is insufficient in
size and cannot be configured to meet social distancing requirements for certain types of court
proceedings. It is hereby
ORDERED that, effective March 1, 2021, all civil and criminal jury trials scheduled to
commence before any district or magistrate judge in any courthouse in the District of Colorado
are CONTINUED subject to further order of the presiding judicial officer, with the exception of
certain pilot trials as authorized by the chief judge. Bench trials may take place subject to
established trial protocols. It is further
ORDERED that no civil or criminal trial requiring a jury of 10 or more jurors (including
alternate jurors) shall be held in the Wayne Aspinall Courthouse or the courtroom in Colorado
Springs. Parties may request that the presiding judge determine whether a non-jury trial or trial
to a jury of fewer than 10 may safely proceed in these locations. If so, such trials may proceed in
accordance with social distancing and other appropriate measures to ensure the safety of all
participants. It is further
ORDERED that the grand jury for Jury Division 3 shall not be convened until further
order of the Court. It is further
ORDERED that in-person Central Violations Bureau calendars may resume across the
district in a manner that allows for social distancing. It is further
ORDERED that all public and bar-related functions scheduled to take place in
any courthouse facility in the District of Colorado are CANCELED.
All other terms of General Order 2020-10 remain in effect.
Dated at Denver, Colorado this 12th day of February, 2021.
BY THE COURT
PHILIP A. BRIMMER
Chief United States District Judge
