9/13/24 Update re: Notice of Closure of Conejos County Courthouse

10/15/24 Be Aware of Jury Duty and Court Summons/Warrant Phone Scam

11/6/24 - UPDATE #6 Notice of Closures and Delayed Starts

Money Cases
Money Cases

Cases for More than $25,000

These standard instructions are for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice about your case. If you choose to represent yourself, you are bound by the same rules and procedures as an attorney.

General Information for District Civil Cases

District Court Civil cases over $15,000 can be very complex. These standard instructions are for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice about your case. If you choose to represent yourself, you are bound by the same rules and procedures as an attorney.

As of July 1, 2004, the JDF 601 Case Cover Sheet is required by C.R.C.P. 16.1 Simplified Procedure for all District Civil (CV) actions filed on or after that date. This cover sheet must be filed with the Complaint and any Counterclaim, Cross-claim, or Third Party Complaint. The court does not have a designated form for District Civil cases. The form can be created using the flexible caption.

If you fail to file a JDF 601 Case Cover Sheet with such a pleading, you will be notified by the Court that you need to file a Case Cover Sheet and must then do so within the time stated by the Court, or the Court may not open your case.

JDF 603 Instructions to Complete District Civil Case Cover Sheet provides steps to complete the form.

Follow these steps to open your case.

Step 1: 

Complete the caption box on JDF 601 Civil Case Cover Sheet, including:

  • Identify the name of the County and the court address where you plan to file your case.
  • Identify the name of the Plaintiff (your name) and Defendant (the name of party you are suing). If you have multiple Plaintiffs or Defendants, list only the first Plaintiff or Defendant.
  • Complete the information for the party or attorney that is completing the JDF 601 Civil Case Cover Sheet.
  • Once you file your paperwork with the Court, the Court will assign a case number and division and will fill in that information on the Case Cover Sheet.
  • If a case number has already been assigned, you must still complete the Case Cover Sheet and insert the case number.
  • Read Chief Justice Directive (CJD) 11-02 to decide if your case is governed by the Colorado Civil Access Pilot Project. Then, check the appropriate box in section number 2.

Step 2: 

  • Check the appropriate box if the Simplified Procedure applies to your case. OR
  • Check the appropriate box if the Simplified Procedure does not apply to your case. If you have checked this box, you must also check one of the three boxes within this section to identify why the Simplified Procedure does not apply. The three options are identified below: OR
  • Some civil actions are automatically excluded and are not subject to C.R.C.P. 16.1. If you are filing a class action lawsuit, domestic relations case, juvenile case, mental health case, probate case, water law case, forcible entry and detainer, Rule 106 or 120 motion, petition to seal criminal record, distraint warrant, county court or municipal court appeal, or a writ of habeas corpus civil action, your case is not subject to the simplified procedure. OR
  • Simplified Procedure does not apply if you are seeking a monetary judgment for more than $100,000.00 against any other party, including attorney fees, penalties or punitive damages, but excluding interest and costs, as well as the value of any equitable relief sought. OR
  • Simplified Procedure does not apply if another party has previously indicated in a Civil Case Cover Sheet that the Simplified Procedure under C.R.C.P 16.1 does not apply to your case.

Step 3:  (Optional)

  • You can request a jury trial and pay the requisite fee at this time. If you check this box, your filing fee must include the jury demand fee. Please refer to C.R.C.P. 38 for your right to request a jury trial and waiving the right to a jury trial.
  • If you are making a jury demand pursuant to §38-1-106, C.R.S. a jury demand fee is not required for a jury of six freeholders. However, if you are requesting a jury of freeholders in excess of six (including alternates), an advance deposit of $50.00 per extra juror for one day of service is required. For example, if you demand a jury of 12, an advance deposit of $300.00 ($50.00 x 6) is required.

Step 4: Sign

The party or the attorney, if applicable, must date and sign the Civil Case Cover Sheet.

Instructions

  • JDF 603 Instructions to Complete District Court Civil Case Cover Sheet

Forms

  • Flexible Caption
  • JDF 98 Affidavit of Service
  • Form 1.1 Summons by Publication
  • Form 600 District Court Civil Summons
  • JDF 601 District Court Civil Cover Sheet
  • JDF 604 Notice and Order to File JDF 601 Case Cover Sheet                                                                                    

Issue a Subpoena

A Subpoena must be served no later than 48 hours prior to the appearance date.

A Subpoena to Appear is a document issued by the clerk at the request of one of the parties to require the appearance of a witness at a deposition, hearing or trial.

A Subpoena to Produce (Subpoena Duces Tecum) is a document issued by the clerk at the request of one of the parties to require the witness to bring certain documents or evidence in their possession with them to a deposition, hearing or trial.

A Court hearing or trial must be set prior to requesting the clerk to issue a Subpoena.

For additional information, please review C.R.C.P 345.

Instructions and Forms

 

Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure (C.R.C.P.)16.1 Simplified Procedure for all District Civil actions filed on or after July 1, 2004.