judge charlotte sweeney
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A brief overview of Chiles v. Salazar, Colorado’s ‘conversion therapy’ ban at SCOTUS
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On Tuesday, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Chiles v. Salazar, a case that challenges Colorado’s prohibition on licensed health professionals providing “conversion therapy” to LGBTQ children. Here are the basic points to know: What is conversion therapy? As defined in a 2019 Colorado law, it’s a practice or treatment by a…
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‘That’s wrong’: Federal judge finds government unlawfully denied bond hearing to detained noncitizen
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A federal judge concluded on Tuesday that the government had wrongly believed it could detain a noncitizen without holding a bond hearing, thereby violating his right to due process. U.S. District Court Judge Charlotte N. Sweeney reached that determination in the case of Javier Andres Garcia Cortes at the same time a proposed class action…
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10th Circuit considers whether parents can pursue relief from Colorado ‘chosen name’ law, policies
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Some members of the Denver-based federal appeals court on Tuesday appeared skeptical of an attempt by two parents to block a Colorado law requiring public schools to use a student’s chosen name, as well as their school district’s corresponding policy intended to support LGBTQ students. At the same time, one judge’s questioning seemed sympathetic to…
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10th Circuit, by 2-1, rebuffs industry challenge to Vail’s prohibition on delivery vehicles
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The Denver-based federal appeals court concluded on Friday that Vail’s 2023 prohibition on delivery vehicles in pedestrian areas had a sufficient connection to safety and, therefore, a trial judge was wrong to block the town from enforcing its ordinance. A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit considered whether an…
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Federal judge permits excessive force claim to proceed against prison employees
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A federal judge on Wednesday agreed two state prison employees could be sued for allegedly using excessive force against an incarcerated man. Jared Lee Chavez, representing himself, alleged “Sgt. Smith” and “Sgt. Grilli” violently pulled Chavez from his cell at Sterling Correctional Facility in February 2022. Chavez allegedly complied with orders, but the defendants slammed…
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Colorado’s federal judges recused 200+ times in 4 years for variety of reasons
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Colorado’s federal judges issued orders recusing themselves from cases at least 203 times in four years, with reasons ranging from unspecified appearances of partiality to potential conflicts created by their prior employment and family connections. One judge also noted in recusing himself that if he ruled against an attorney who was his personal friend, “it…
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Federal judge dismisses some claims in ex-RTD police chief’s discrimination lawsuit
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A federal judge on Wednesday dismissed some of the claims brought by the former police chief of the Regional Transportation District in his employment discrimination lawsuit. Joel Fitzgerald Sr. led RTD’s police department after his August 2022 hiring until his termination in September 2024. Fitzgerald alleged his successes in transforming the department were overshadowed by…
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10th Circuit upholds $20M award to Fort Collins after jury found vendor acted fraudulently
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The Denver-based federal appeals court on Wednesday upheld a jury’s verdict finding a technology vendor made false representations to Fort Collins when attempting to secure a contract, for which the company must pay nearly $20 million. After Fort Collins voters approved the creation of municipal broadband in 2017, the city sought a provider to develop a…
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Federal judge ‘troubled’ by unknown location ICE intended to transfer detained man
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A federal judge stated on Monday he was “troubled” by allegations that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement was planning to transfer a man in custody outside of Colorado to an unknown location. Two years ago, Dennis Arostegui-Maldonado won a favorable ruling in his immigration case from the Denver-based federal appeals court. Subsequently, he received an order…
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Federal judge green-lights trial against Denver Health, staff for death of elderly jail detainee
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Five Denver Health employees and the organization itself will stand trial on claims that they provided a constitutionally deficient level of medical care to an elderly jail detainee who died from severe health problems, a federal judge ruled on Wednesday. The defendants maintained 71-year-old Leroy “Nicky” Taylor received consistent medical care during his incarceration and…
