us district court
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Federal judge opens new front in effort to increase magistrate judge handling of civil cases
One of Colorado’s federal judges rang in the new year with a new effort to spread out the U.S. District Court’s civil caseload among its roster of magistrate judges. “NOTICE ENCOURAGING CONSIDERATION OF CONSENT,” Judge S. Kato Crews has written in docket entries across at least nine recently filed civil cases so far. “This district’s…
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State Supreme Court vacancy opens, year in review | COURT CRAWL
Welcome to Court Crawl, Colorado Politics’ roundup of news from the third branch of government. The application period is now open for the first state Supreme Court vacancy in five years, plus Colorado Politics looked back on the significant judicial developments from 2025. At the Supreme Court • The Colorado Supreme Court halted the practice of…
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Colorado senator, local officials push for new Colorado Springs federal courthouse
Local officials and one of Colorado’s U.S. senators urged the judiciary earlier this year to explore placing a new federal courthouse and judge’s chambers in Colorado Springs, while the district court is cautioning that Congress must establish new judgeships before any expansion out of Denver occurs. “We’re supportive of a courthouse in Colorado Springs with…
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2025 Unfiltered: Colorado Supreme Court vacancy, surge in federal filings and more
This year was awash in legal news nationally, with federal courts taking an outsize role in responding to executive branch actions. In Colorado, that effect was evident, but it was not the only factor at play. Here are the top developments in 2025 from the state and federal judiciaries. Unexpected vacancy There was an unusual,…
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Justice Hart to leave Supreme Court, new recs from Access to Justice Commission | COURT CRAWL
Welcome to Court Crawl, Colorado Politics’ roundup of news from the third branch of government. A member of the Colorado Supreme Court unexpectedly announced her retirement from the bench, plus the state’s Access to Justice Commission has made recommendations following a renewed listening tour. Justice Hart exits • Justice Melissa Hart, a member of the Colorado…
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‘Deep source of pride’: Federal judge speaks about first year on bench, how he spends his time
One of Colorado’s newest federal judges spoke on Thursday about his first year on the bench, his philosophy behind facilitating case settlements and how his background as a public defender informs his current role. “Most of my career, I represented poor people or people who didn’t have enough money for an attorney,” said U.S. Magistrate…
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Colorado’s federal trial court denies admission to lawyer owing tens of thousands in dues, penalties
Colorado’s U.S. District Court declined last month to allow an attorney to practice before the court due to his failure to pay enrollment fees and penalties to another state’s bar association for years. The federal trial court requires attorneys to remain in “good standing” wherever they practice and to notify the court if that is…
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County court judge suspended pending investigation, Supreme Court committee advances eviction rule | COURT CRAWL
Welcome to Court Crawl, Colorado Politics’ roundup of news from the third branch of government. A San Miguel County judge is on suspension pending a misconduct investigation, plus a Colorado Supreme Court committee advanced a rule change designed to benefit some tenants responding to their evictions. Judicial discipline • San Miguel County Court Judge Sean K.…
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Federal judge demands answers from lawyer on faulty citations
A federal judge aggressively interrogated a lawyer on Monday for her use of flawed citations in a legal filing and her response after it was brought to her attention. “Do you agree with me now that those citations are not proper?” asked U.S. District Court Judge Nina Y. Wang. Yes, responded attorney Sara A. Green,…
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Judges speak about public trust and criticism, ICE’s warrantless arrests under scrutiny | COURT CRAWL
Welcome to Court Crawl, Colorado Politics’ roundup of news from the third branch of government. A handful of federal and state judges spoke last week about trust and communications challenges with the public, plus a federal judge seemed to believe immigration authorities are making warrantless arrests in violation of the law. ‘Put our heads down’…