From the Courts
Colorado Court Case Summaries
People v. Kelley.
2023 CO 32. No. 22SA874. Physician-Patient Privilege—Waiver—Involuntary Intoxication.
June 5, 2023
State v. Hill.
2023 CO 31. No. 22SC119. Standing—Declaratory Judgment.
June 5, 2023
Garcia v. People.
2023 CO 30. No. 21SC564. Jury Instruction—First-Degree Murder—Extreme Indifference Murder—Universal Malice.
June 5, 2023
Colorado v. International Ass’n of Firefighters.
2023 COA 52. No. 22CA0988. Public Integrity Statute—Attorney General—CRCP 24—Intervention as of Right—Permissive Intervention.
June 8, 2023
In re Marriage of James.
2023 COA 51. No. 22CA0232. Magistrate Rules—Authority to Consider Petition for Rehearing—Motion for Reconsideration—Colorado Rules of Appellate Procedure—Running of Time for Filing Notice of Appeal.
June 8, 2023
People v. Bialas.
2023 COA 50. No. 21CA1645. Sixth Amendment—Right to Public Trial—Trivial Courtroom Closures—Waller Test.
June 8, 2023
People v. Babcock.
2023 COA 49. No. 20CA1678. Sentencing—Restitution—Procedural Deadlines—Waiver—Subject Matter Jurisdiction—Sufficiency of Evidence.
June 8, 2023
802 East Cooper v. Z-GKids.
2023 COA 48. No. 22CA0700. Common Interest Communities—Land Use Code—Floor Area Ratio—Condominium Declaration.
June 1, 2023
People v. Gallegos.
2023 COA 47. No. 21CA0976. Affirmative Defenses—Admission Rule—Felony Murder—Credible Evidence —Complicity Instruction—Prosecutorial Misconduct—Cumulative Error.
June 1, 2023
People v. Snedeker.
2023 COA 46. Sentencing—Probation.
June 1, 2023
People v. Toro-Ospina.
2023 COA 45. No. 20CA2145. Juries—Peremptory Strikes—Juror Questionnaires—Implicit Bias Instructions—Character Evidence—Prosecutorial Misconduct—Cumulative Error.
June 1, 2023
United States v. Brooks.
No. 21-6059. 5/22/2023. W.D.Okla. Judge Seymour. Attempted Second Degree Murder—US Sentencing Guidelines—Aggravated Assault and Battery—Crime of Violence.
May 22, 2023
Mukantagara v. US Department of Homeland Security.
No. 21-4144. 5/16/2023. D.Utah. Judge Carson. US Refugee Status—Termination of Refugee Status—Removal Proceedings—8 USC § 1252(b)(9).
May 16, 2023
D.K. v. United Behavioral Health.
No. 21-4088. 5/15/2023. D.Utah. Judge Lucero. Insurance Coverage Denials—Mental Health Treatment—Arbitrary and Capricious—Employee Retirement Income Security Act—Fiduciary Duties.
United States v. Faunce.
No. 22-4019. 5/9/2023. D.Utah. Judge Bacharach. Supervised Release—Revocation—Constructive Amendment of Revocation Petition—Due Process—Remote Testimony—Fed. R. Crim. P. 32.1(b)(2)(C).
May 9, 2023
Helvie v. Jenkins.
No. 22-1187. 5/9/2023. D.Colo. Judge Ebel. Traffic Stop—Fourth Amendment—Qualified Immunity—Summary Judgment.
May 9, 2023
United States v. Porter.
No. 22-1134. 5/2/2023. D.Colo. Judge Kelly. Warrantless Search—Abandonment of Property—Motion to Suppress—Fourth Amendment Privacy Expectation.
May 2, 2023
Heights Healthcare Co. v. BCER Engineering, Inc.
2023 COA 44. No. 21CA0906. Construction Defect Action Reform Act—Homeowner Protection Act of 2007—Limitation of Damages—Breach of Contract—Negligence.
May 25, 2023
People v. Johnson.
2023 COA 43. No. 21CA0669. Sentencing—Restitution—Procedural Deadlines—Good Cause to Extend Trial Court’s Deadline—Due Process.
May 25, 2023
In re Marriage of Medeiros.
2023 COA 42. No. 21CA1317. Dissolution of Marriage—Permanent Orders—Motion to Reopen Evidence—Changed Economic Circumstances—Valuation of Marital Estate.
May 18, 2023
Heidel v. Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office.
023 COA 41. No. 21CA0370. Wrongful Death—Colorado Governmental Immunity Act—Waiver of Immunity—Jail Operation.
May 18, 2023
Educhildren v. County of Douglas Board of Equalization.
2023 CO 29. No. 22SC799. Property Taxation—Unusual Conditions—Assessment Date—Commercial Property—Statutory Interpretation—COVID-19—Public Health Orders.
May 30, 2023
1303 Frontage Holdings LLC v. Larimer County Board of Equalization.
2023 CO 28. No. 22S800. Property Taxation—Unusual Conditions—Assessment Date—Commercial Property—Taxpayer Standing—Statutory Interpretation—COVID-19—Public Health Orders.
May 30, 2023
Hunter Douglas Inc. v. City and County of Broomfield Board of Equalization.
2023 CO 27. No. 22SC797. Property—Taxation—COVID-19.
May 30, 2023
MJB Motels LLC v. County of Jefferson Board of Equalization.
2023 CO 26. No. 22SC798. Property—Taxation—COVID-19.
May 30, 2023
In re Arvada Village Gardens, LP v. Garate.
2023 CO 24. No. 23SA34. Forcible Entry and Detainer—Statutory Interpretation—Federal Preemption.
May 15, 2023
State v. Center for Excellence in Higher Education, Inc.
2023 CO 23. No. 21SC781. Colorado Consumer Protection Act—Colorado Uniform Consumer Credit Code—Right to Jury Trial—Evidence of Unconscionability.
May 15, 2023
Liggett v. People.
2023 CO 22. No. 21SC395. Insanity—Self-Incrimination—Miranda v. Arizona—Privileged Communications and Confidentiality.
May 15, 2023
Macasero v. Ent Credit Union.
2023 COA 40. No. 21CA1421. Contracts—Arbitration Provision—Constructive Notice—Email Correspondence.
May 4, 2023
People v. Nozolino.
2023 COA 39. No. 20CA2167. Postconviction Remedies—Postconviction Counsel—Crim. P. 35(c)(3)(IV) and (V).
May 4, 2023
People v Perkins.
2023 COA 38. No. 20CA0882. Arson—National Fire Protection Association Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations—Expert Testimony—Shreck Hearing
May 4, 2023
In re Thompson.
2023 CO 21. No. 23SA18. Code of Judicial Conduct Canon Rules 1.1, 1.2, 2.8, and 2.11.
May 15, 2023
Front Range Feedlots, LLC v. Rein.
2023 CO 20. Nos. 22SA211 & 21SA138. Water Law—Authority of State Engineer—Mandatory Injunction by Water Court.
May 1, 2023
People v. Wake.
No. 22PDJ061. 3/23/2023. Opinion Imposing Sanctions.
May 1, 2023
People v. Swingle.
No. 23PDJ017. 4/14/2023. Reciprocal Discipline.
May 1, 2023
People v. Sawaya.
No. 23PDJ012. 4/17/2023. Stipulation to Discipline.
May 1, 2023
People v. Nelson.
No. 22PDJ068. 3/23/2023. Reciprocal Discipline.
May 1, 2023
People v. Morales.
No. 22PDJ066. People v. Morales. 4/20/2023. Stipulation to Discipline.
May 1, 2023
People v. Hoff.
No. 22PDJ070. 3/23/2023. Reciprocal Discipline.
May 1, 2023
People v. Hibberd.
No. 23PDJ013. 3/30/2023. Stipulation to Discipline.
May 1, 2023
People v. Farr.
No. 23PDJ015. 4/13/2023. Stipulation to Discipline.
May 1, 2023
People in the Interest of A.T.C.
2023 CO 19. No. 22SA323. Juveniles—Competency to Stand Trial—Statutory Interpretation—Juvenile Competency.
April 24, 2023
People v. Platteel.
2023 CO 18. No. 22SA384. Colo. Const. art. II § 16a—Victim Rights Act, CRS §§ 24-4.1-300.1 to -305—Victim’s Right to Attend “Critical Stages”—Defendant’s Ability to Compel an Unsubpoenaed Victim Attending a Preliminary Hearing to Testify—McDonald v. District Court, 576 P.2d 169 (Colo. 1978).
April 24, 2023
US Bank National Ass’n v. Silvernagel.
2023 CO 17. No. 21SC836. Statute of Limitations—Accrual of Right of Action—Acceleration of Debt.
April 24, 2023
In re Timbreza.
2023 CO 16. No. 22SA194. Imposition of Discipline for Violation of Judicial Duties.
April 24, 2023
The Gazette v. Bourgerie.
2023 COA 37. No. 21CA1880. Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training Board—Records Requests—Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act—Colorado Open Records Act—Criminal Justice Agency—Criminal Justice Records—Records Custodian Discretion.
April 27, 2023
People v. Grudznske.
2023 COA 36. No. 19CA1928. Extreme Indifference First Degree Murder—Vehicular Homicide (DUI)—Attempted Extreme Indifference First Degree Assault—Attempted Vehicular Assault (DUI)—Equal Protection—Motion to Suppress Blood Draw Results—Jury Instructions—Admission of Evidence—Cumulative Error.
April 27, 2023
United States v. Griffith.
No. 22-7005. 4/18/2023. E.D.Okla. Judge Bacharach. Sexual Abuse of a Minor—Sexual Abuse of an Adult by Non-Fatal Threat—Expert Witness Testimony on Credibility—Fed. R. Evid. 803(4).
April 18, 2023
United States v. Hunsaker.
No. 22-7016. 4/18/2023. E.D.Okla. Judge Baldock. US Sentencing Guideline § 3B1.1(b)—Sentence Enhancement—Manager or Supervisor.
April 18, 2023
DIRTT Environmental Solutions, Inc. v. Falkbuilt Ltd.
Nos. 21-4078 & 21-4153. 4/11/2023. D.Utah. Judge Baldock. Forum non Conveniens—Available Alternative Forum—Conflict with Federal Sentencing Policy.
April 11, 2023
Graff v. Aberdeen Enterprizes, II, Inc.
No. 21-5031. 4/10/2023. N.D.Okla. Judge Murphy. Subject Matter Jurisdiction—Rooker-Feldman Doctrine—Heck Doctrine—Younger Abstention—42 USC § 1983—Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), 18 USC §§ 1961 to 1968—Oklahoma State Court Proceedings.
April 10, 2023
Safeway Stores 46, Inc. v. WY Plaza, L.C.
Nos. 20-8064 & 20-8066. 4/7/2023. D.Wyo. Judge Bacharach. Contracts—Unilateral Mistake—Declaratory Judgment—Restitution—Summary Judgment—Laches—Attorney Fees.
April 7, 2023
United States v. Booker.
No. 22-7000. 3/28/2023. E.D.Okla. Judge Ebel. Supervised Release—Probation Violation—Revocation—Need for Retribution.
March 28, 2023
Notice of Public Hearing and Request for Comments: Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct
Deadline to submit Comments: September 5, 2023 at 4 p.m. | Deadline to request to Speak at Public Hearing: September 12, 2023 at 4 p.m.
April 27, 2023
In re Marriage of O’Connor.
2023 COA 35. No. 21CA1695. Grandparental Visitation Rights—Troxel Presumption—Attorney Fees.
April 20, 2023
People v. Licata.
2023 COA 34. No. 21CA0033. Mandatory Protection Order—Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity—Acquittal.
April 20, 2023
Rule Change 2023(09)
Rules Governing Lawyer Discipline and Disability Proceedings, Protective Appointment of Counsel, Continuing Legal and Judicial Education, Attorneys’ Fund for Client Protection, and Lawyer Assistance Programs. Rules 241, 241.1, 242.3, 250, 250.1, 250.2, 250.3, 250.6, 250.7, 250.8, 250.9, and 250.10.
April 13, 2023
People v. Davis.
2023 CO 15. No. 21SC388. Sixth Amendment—Right to Counsel—Prejudice in General.
April 10, 2023
People v. Rainey.
2023 CO 14. No. 21SC285. Sixth Amendment—Right to Counsel—Prejudice in General.
April 10, 2023
Rule Change 2023(08)
Appendix 2 to Chapters 18 to 20 Colorado Licensed Legal Paraprofessional Rules of Professional Conduct. Rules 1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 1.10, 1.11, 1.12, 1.13, 1.14, 1.15, 1.15A, 1.15B, 1.15C, 1.15D, 1.15E, 1.16, 1.16A, 1.17, 1.18, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6, 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 8.5, and 9.
April 13, 2023
Rule Change 2023(07)
Rules Governing Lawyer Discipline and Disability Proceedings, Protective Appointment of Counsel, Continuing Legal and Judicial Education, Attorneys’ Fund for Client Protection, and Lawyer Assistance Programs
April 6, 2023
USIC Locating Services LLC v. Project Resources Group Inc.
2023 COA 33. No. 22CA0138. CRCP 12(b)(6)—CRCP 19—Joinder of Parties—CRCP 41(a)(1)(A)—Voluntary Dismissal—Attorney Fees.
April 6, 2023
Madalena v. Zurich American Insurance Co.
2023 COA 32. No. 21CA1780. Administrative Law—Workers’ Compensation—Bad Faith Breach of Insurance Contract—Issue Preclusion—Claim Preclusion.
April 6, 2023
Rule Change 2023(06)
Rules Governing Admission to the Practice of Law in Colorado. Rules 207, 207.1, 207.2, 207.3, 207.4, 207.5, 207.6, 207.7, 207.8, 207.9, 207.10, 207.11, 207.12, 207.13, and 207.14
March 23, 2023
Fear v. GEICO Casualty Co.
2023 COA 31. No. 21CA2023. Motor Vehicles—Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage—Improper Denial of Claims—Damages Calculation.
March 30, 2023
Blakeland Drive Investors, LLP IV v. Taghavi.
2023 COA 30. No. 21CA1957. Toxic Substances—Trespass—Nuisance—Negligence—Damages—Pro Rata Liability.
March 30, 2023
Fontanari v. Snowcap Coal Co.
2023 COA 29. No. 21CA0983. Colorado Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Act—Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board Review—Judicial Review—Attorney Fees.
March 30, 2023
People v. Larsen.
2023 COA 28. No. 21CA0398. Sixth Amendment—Fourteenth Amendment—Postconviction Remedies—Double Jeopardy—Right to Unanimous Jury Verdict—Due Process—Modified Unanimity Instruction.
March 30, 2023
Rule Change 2023(05)
The Colorado Appellate Rules. Rules 3, 3.1, 3.3, 3.5, 4.2, 10, 12, 25, 32, 39, and 53.
March 23, 2023
Wyo-Ben Inc. v. Haaland.
No. 20-8065. 3/20/2023. D.Wyo. Judge Holmes. Mineral Patent Application Moratorium—Moratorium Exemption—Administrative Procedure Act § 706(1)—Timeliness of Claim—28 USC § 2401(a) Statute of Limitations—Continuing Violation Doctrine—Repeated Violations Doctrine.
March 20, 2023
Western Watersheds Project v. Interior Board of Land Appeals.
No. 20-4120. 3/20/2023. D.Utah. Judge Eid. National Environmental Policy Act—Environmental Assessments—Article III Standing—Expired Permits—43 USC § 1752(c)(2)—Redressable Claims.
March 20, 2023
United States v. Anderson.
No. 21-2151. 3/14/2023. D.N.M. Judge Seymour. US Sentencing Guidelines—Sentencing Enhancement—Reasonable Suspicion—Motion to Suppress—Brady Violation.
March 14, 2023
United States v. Polk.
No. 22-5037. 3/13/2023. D.Okla. Judge Moritz. Assimilative Crimes Act—State Law Punishment—Conflict With Federal Sentencing Policy.
March 13, 2023
United States v. Wesley.
No. 22-3066. 2/28/2023. D.Kan. Judge Tymkovich. Drug Trafficking—US Sentencing Guidelines—Motions Under 28 USC § 2255—Motions Under 18 USC § 3582(c)(1)(A)(i)—Lack of Jurisdiction.
February 28, 2023
Voulgaris v. Array Biopharma, Inc.
No. 22-1003. 2/27/2023. D.Colo. Judge Carson. Federal Securities Class Action—Settlement—Shareholder Objection—Attorney Fees—Factors Affecting Award—Lodestar Calculation.
February 27, 2023
Disciplinary Case Summaries for Matters Resulting in Diversion and Private Admonition
First Quarter
March 31, 2023
Antero Resources v. Airport Land Partners.
2023 CO 13. No. 21SCS33. Statutory Interpretation—Oil and Gas Conservation Act—COGCC Jurisdiction—Payment-of-Proceeds Disputes.
March 27, 2023
People v. Madrid.
2023 CO 12. No. 21SC505. Jury Selection—Racial Discrimination—Batson v. Kentucky—Pretext—Remand Hearings.
March 27, 2023
People v. Morse.
2023 COA 27. No. 21CA1542. Fourth Amendment—Searches and Seizures—Warrantless Search—Motion to Suppress—Private Search Doctrine—Independent Source Doctrine—Sufficiency of Evidence—Admissibility of Evidence.
March 23, 2023
Carter Holdings Inc. v. Carter.
2023 COA 26. No. 21CA1881. Dissolution of Marriage—Real Property—Lis Pendens—Spurious Liens and Documents.
March 16, 2023
Mid-Century Insurance Co. v. HIVE Construction, Inc.
2023 COA 25. No. 21CA1393. Negligence—Willful and Wanton Conduct—Economic Loss Doctrine—Invited Error—Motion for Directed Verdict.
March 16, 2023
People v. Cross.
2023 COA 24. No. 20CA0251. Sentencing—Motion for Continuance—Presentence Report—CRE 403—CRE 404(b)—Hearsay—CRE 803(3).
March 16, 2023
Rule Change 2023(04)
Public Access to Information and Records
March 2, 2023
Colorado State Board of Education v. Brannberg.
2023 CO 11. No. 21SC885. Statutory Interpretation—Judicial Review—Education Law.
March 6, 2023
People v. Willoughby.
2023 CO 10. No. 22SA254. Criminal Law—Miranda—Custody.
March 6, 2023
People v. McDonald.
2023 COA 23. No. 21CA0750. Postconviction Remedies—Sentencing—Illegal Sentence—Proportionality Review.
March 9, 2023
People v. Quillen.
2023 COA 22. No. 20CA1326. Evidence—Hearsay Exceptions—CRE 803(6)—CRE 902(11)—Confrontation Clause—Expert Testimony—Allocution.
March 9, 2023
People v. Serna-Lopez.
2023 COA 21. No. 20CA0227. Double Jeopardy—Multiplicity—Aggravated Robbery—Menacing—Possession of a Controlled Substance—Sentencing—Penalty Enhancers—Modified Unanimity Instruction—Cumulative Errors.
March 9, 2023
People v. Barclay.
No. 22PDJ071. 2/22/2023. Stipulation to Discipline.
March 10, 2023
People v. Cuellar.
2023 COA 20. No. 20CA1375. Sexual Assault—Prior Sexual Assault Evidence—Right to Counsel—Right to Remain Silent—Closing Arguments—Prosecutorial Misconduct—Misstatement of the Law—Denigration of Counsel—Cumulative Error.
March 2, 2023
Torres v. Madrid.
No. 22-2001. 2/17/2023. D.N.M. Judge Hartz. Fourth Amendment—Qualified Immunity—Excessive Force—Clearly Established Law.
February 17, 2023
Harrison v. Envision Management Holding, Inc.
No. 22-1098. 2/9/2023. D.Colo. Judge Briscoe. Employee Retirement Income Security Act—Federal Arbitration Act—Defined Contribution Plan—Plan Document Arbitration Provisions—Effective Vindication Provision—Non-Severability Clause.
February 9, 2023
Markley v. U.S. Bank National Ass’n.
No. 21-1240. 2/8/2023. D.Colo. Judge McHugh. Age Discrimination in Employment Act—Reasonable Accommodations—Interactive Process.
February 8, 2023
United States v. Kahn.
No. 19-8054. 2/3/2023. D.Wyo. Judge Briscoe. Controlled Substances Act—“Knowingly or Intentionally” Mens Rea Requirement—Burden of Proof—Harmless Error.
February 3, 2023
United States v. Doe.
No. 23-9900. 1/20/2023. D.Okla. Judge Tymkovich. Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act—First Degree Murder—Transfer to Adult Court—Transfer Factors—Punishment.
January 20, 2023
People v. Justice.
2023 CO 9. Nos. 22SA347 & 22SA348. Court’s Authority to Order Mediation in a Criminal Case—CRS § 16-7-301(1)–(2)—CRS § 16-7-302(1)—CRS § 13-22-311.
February 27, 2023
Bara v. Industrial Claim Appeals Office.
2023 COA 19. No. 22CA0984. Colorado Employment Security Act—Unemployment Benefits—Disqualification—Violation of a Company Rule—COVID-19.Colorado Employment Security Act—Unemployment Benefits—Disqualification—Violation of a Company Rule—COVID-19.
February 23, 2023
Mitton v. Danimaxx of Colorado, Inc.
2023 COA 18. No. 19CA0984. Colorado Dram Shop Act—Civil Liability.
February 23, 2023
Rule Change 2023(03)
Rules Governing Lawyer Discipline and Disability Proceedings, Protective Appointment of Counsel, Continuing Legal and Judicial Education, Attorneys’ Fund for Client Protection, and Lawyer Assistance Programs
February 16, 2023
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