A judge's gavel next to an image of Coronavirus.

As the nation gradually reopens, even while the Coronavirus pandemic still rages, Colorado is no exception. Last Sunday, Governor Polis signed an executive order relaxing the state’s stay-at-home order. (For full coverage of the Covid-19 stay-at-home order and up-to-date analysis of judicial orders & openings, see our blog post Colorado Family Law Services During COVID-19)

Domestic Relations Proceedings During Safer At Home

Yesterday, 4th Judicial District Chief Judge William Bain issued Chief Judge Order 20-19, covering Coronavirus-related court operations from next Monday, May 4, through May 31. For the first time since the original closure in March, in-person proceedings for routine family law matters are a possibility.

El Paso County Courthouse Opens During Coronavirus

Previously, only specific emergency proceedings were conducted in person, while routine hearings were either postponed, or conducted via Zoom or telephone. Now, individual judges have discretion to allow litigants and attorneys to show up in person during the Coronavirus pandemic: Per para. 3.C of Judge Bain’s order:

“Domestic Relations Cases. The continued use of technology to conduct hearings by telephone or audio-visual device is strongly recommended. Nevertheless, beginning May 4, 2020, judicial officers shall have the discretion to conduct in-person proceedings, subject to the 10-person limit and social distancing requirements described in Section 2 of this Order. Counsel and unrepresented parties shall contact the clerks for the individual divisions to determine whether their hearing will occur by telephone, video conference, or in person.”

Filing Pleadings At Courthouse

The El Paso County Courthouse is still closed to paper filing of routine pleadings. During Covid-19, only filing of pleadings for “public safety matters” may be done in person (for family law, this includes protective orders, motions to restrict parenting time, and abduction prevention hearings.”) Otherwise, motions or responses must be either mailed in, or you can file electronically – if your case is in one of the participating counties, including El Paso & Teller – no need to be a lawyer!

Wear A Mask to Protect from Coronavirus?

Surprisingly, masks or face coverings are not actually mandatory, just encouraged. Per para. 1:

“Members of the public are strongly encouraged to wear masks in the courthouse, and employees are required to wear masks when they are within six feet of anyone else in the courthouse.”

Parenting Schedules & Exchanges Remain In Effect During Coronavirus

As we discussed in our prior blog post on this issue, both Governor Polis and Chief Judge Bain have stated that the Covid-19 stay-at-home order does not affect custody arrangements. Unsurprisingly, that’s still true for “safer at home”. The Chief Judge order reminds us:

“All Parties are advised that all existing court orders, including parenting time and parenting exchange orders, are not suspended by the Stay-at-Home or Safer-at-Home Orders issued by Governor Jared Polis, and shall continue to be followed unless otherwise modified by the court or agreement of the parties.”

Award-Winning 4th Judicial District Family Law Firm

Coronavirus

U.S. News & World Report calls Graham.Law one of the Best Law Firms in America, and our managing partner is a Colorado Super Lawyer. Our family law attorneys have years of experience helping clients navigate the Colorado legal system. We know Colorado divorce & family law inside and out, from complex multi-million dollar property or child custody cases to basic child support modifications.

For more information about our top-rated El Paso County family law firm, contact us by filling out our contact form, calling us at (719) 630-1123 to set up a free consult, or click on:

Colorado Family Law. Period.