Note – this post is about Colorado efiling for court documents, so if you came here looking for information on filing your tax return, sorry. Colorado attorneys have long had the ability to file documents electronically (aka “efiling”) with the Court in certain cases. It has been a real timesaver, because it means paralegals can start new cases or file into existing cases from the comfort of their desks rather than having to make a physical run to the courthouse. I can’t recall exactly when e-filing started in Colorado, but it was in about 2006 or so.
Prior to that, law firms would have to send runners to the courthouse to file multiple copies of each pleading (one for the main clerk and a courtesy copy for the division), and every proposed order needed an original, and two copies, each with their own stamped, addressed envelope.
Efiling in Colorado has changed all of that, and since it was introduced, it has become more functional, and expanded into more types of cases.
Colorado Efiling for the Public Instructions
Visit Court’s Efiling Page
The starting point for electronic filing is the Colorado judiciary’s aptly-titled web page, Efiling for Non-Attorneys, which has links, videos, and other guides for the public.
Create a Colorado Efiling Account
Visit this page to create your Colorado Efile account to file documents electronically. Select Self-Represented, and then confirm you are an actual party to a case before submitting your demographic and contact information.
Complete the Necessary Documents to File
Note that efiling simply gives you access to file documents with the court, but you still have to actually complete the pleadings or other documents you intend to file. See our Do-It-Yourself Divorce Guide in the Colorado Family Law Guide for links to specific forms and information on how to complete them. The court’s efiling page also has good information. Or, for the bold, you could simply visit the court’s Family Law Forms page and select the form you need.
Login to Your Colorado Efiling Account
Once your account is set up, you need to go to the Colorado Efile Login screen.
Upload Documents
Once you are logged in, you will be at a dashboard which lists your current cases (if any), and gives you the ability to either start a new case (see instructions, and will need the other party’s information), or file into an existing case (see instructions). If you are starting a new case, the documents will usually need personal service on the other party, but once a case is ongoing, generally you can file and serve through this dashboard without needing separate service of documents.
That’s it. Colorado Efiling for the public is easy for anyone who has ever created an account anywhere on the web. Just do the same on the judiciary website, and then you can file and serve your own documents electronically. Welcome to the 21st century!
One caution – just because you can efile documents easily with the Court, it doesn’t mean you should! Think twice before filing so you don’t inundate the court with potentially impermissible pleadings.
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