From the Courts
Colorado Court Case Summaries
People v. Munoz-Diaz.
2023 COA 105. No. 21CA0886. Fifth Amendment—Fourteenth Amendment—Due Process—Voluntariness of Statements—Admission of DNA Evidence.
November 9, 2023
People v. Jones.
2023 COA 104. No. 20CA1568. Affirmative Defenses—Self-Defense—Use of Physical Force in Defense of a Person—Use of Deadly Physical Force Against an Intruder—Confrontation Clause—Prosecutorial Misconduct.
November 9, 2023
Rudnicki v. Bianco.
2023 COA 103. No. 22CA1246. Medical Malpractice—Pre-Majority Medical Expenses—Interest on Damages—Prejudgment Interest—Health Care Availability Act—Limitation of Liability—Law of the Case.
November 2, 2023
People v. Salazar.
2023 COA 102. No. 22CA0331. Jury Instructions—Sexual Assault on a Child by One in a Position of Trust—Statutory Elements—Knowingly—Position of Trust—CRE 404(a)—Testimony Regarding Probable Cause—Prosecutorial Misconduct.
November 2, 2023
Colorado Sun and Tegna, Inc. v. Brubaker.
2023 COA 101. No. 21CA1608. Colorado Open Records Act—Children’s Code—Reports of Child Abuse or Neglect—Identifying Information.
November 2, 2023
Request for Comments: Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct
Deadline to Submit Comments: January 10, 2024, at 4 p.m.
October 31, 2023
Puerta v. Newman.
2023 COA 100. No. 22CA2021. Remedies—Damages—Civil Action for Deprivation of Rights—Peace Officers—Standing.
October 26, 2023
Far Horizons, LLC v. Flying Dutchman Condominium Ass’n Inc.
2023 COA 99. No. 22CA1298. Colorado Common Interest Ownership Act—Enforcement—Attorney Fees.
October 26, 2023
People v. Bice.
2023 COA 98. No. 22CA0600. Level 1 Drug Felony—Conspiring to Sell or Distribute a Controlled Substance—Penalties for Criminal Conspiracy—Exceptions for Offense Levels Otherwise Provided by Law.
October 26, 2023
People v. Walthour.
2023 CO 55. No. 23SA125. Discovery—DUI—Trial Court Discretion.
October 23, 2023
Weld County Colorado Board of County Commissioners v. Ryan.
2023 CO 54. No. 22SC242. Jurisdictional Standing—Political Subdivision—Rule of Martin.
October 25, 2023
People v. Seymour.
2023 CO 53. No. 23SA12. Fourth Amendment—Searches and Seizures—Internet—Probable Cause—Expectation of Privacy—Possessory Interests—Particularity—Nexus—Warrants—Good Faith—First Amendment—Expressive Conduct.
October 16, 2023
Colorado State Board of Education v. Adams County School District 14.
2023 CO 52. No. 23SC61. Standing—Political Subdivision Doctrine—Local Government Law.
October 16, 2023
People v. Tanner.
2023 COA 97. No. 22CA2178. Careless Driving—Unit of Prosecution.
October 19, 2023
People v. Price.
2023 COA 96. No. 20CA1960. Patronizing a Prostituted Child—Pimping of a Child—Forgery—Colorado Organized Crime Control Act—Enterprise—Colorado Constitution, Article II—Equal Protection—Habitual Criminal Sentence Enhancer.
October 19, 2023
American Southwest Mortgage Corp. v. Continental Casualty Co.
Nos. 22-6071 & 22-6075. 10/16/2023. W.D.Okla. Judge Eid. Mortgage Loans—Negligent Audit Reports—Insurance Fraud—Interrelated Audit Reports—Interrelated Claims.
October 16, 2023
People v. Tice.
No. 23PDJ047. 9/15/2023. Opinion Imposing Sanctions.
October 13, 2023
People v. Romero.
No. 22PDJ025 (consolidated with 22PDJ048). 9/5/2023. Opinion Imposing Sanctions.
October 13, 2023
People v. Parker.
No. 22PDJ069. 9/1/2023. Stipulation to Discipline.
October 13, 2023
People v. O’Connell.
No. 23PDJ044. 8/30/2023. Stipulation to Discipline.
October 13, 2023
People v. Lowery-Graber.
No. 22PDJ051. 9/6/2023. Stipulation to Discipline.
October 13, 2023
People in the Interest of Ramsey.
2023 COA 95. No. 23CA1100. Treatment of Persons With Mental Health Disorders—Involuntary Medication Administration—Certification for Short-Term Treatment—Hearing Procedures—Medina Factors.
October 12, 2023
Dorsey v. People.
2023 CO 51. No. 21SC856. CRS § 18-3-412.5, Failure to Register as a Sex Offender—Recidivist Provision—Class 6→Class 5 Felony Transforming Fact—Element v. Sentence Enhancer—Sixth Amendment Right to a Jury Trial—Article II of the Colorado Constitution.
October 3, 2023
Caswell v. People.
2023 CO 50. No. 21SC749. CRS § 18-9-202, Cruelty to Animals—Recidivist Provision—Misdemeanor→Felony Transforming Fact—Element v. Sentence Enhancer—Sixth Amendment Right to a Jury Trial—Article II of the Colorado Constitution.
October 3, 2023
Wyoming Gun Owners v. Gray.
Nos. 22-8019 & 22-8021. 10/11/2023. D.Wyo. Judge Tymkovich. Wyoming Campaign Finance Law—42 USC § 1983—Vagueness Challenges—Pre-Enforcement Challenges—Functional-Equivalent Standard—Attorney Fees under 42 USC § 1988.
October 11, 2023
United States v. Nunez-Carranza.
No. 22-2100. 10/11/2023. D.N.M. Judge Ebel. Removal Proceedings—US Sentencing Guidelines—Section 3553(a) Sentencing Factors—Downward Variance Request—Sentencing Court’s Duty to Explain Sentencing Decision.
October 11, 2023
Farmers Insurance Exchange v. Kretzer.
2023 COA 94. No. 22CA1804. Motor Vehicles—Automobile Insurance Policies—Uninsured/Underinsured Coverage—Named Driver Exclusion.
October 5, 2023
Brookhart v. Reaman.
2023 COA 93. No. 22CA1119. Colorado Open Records Act—Allowance or Denial of Inspection—Library Records Disclosing the Identity of a User—Privacy of User Records.
October 5, 2023
People v. Mortenson.
2023 COA 92. No. 21CA1364. Aggravated Robbery—Theft—Entry of Conviction on Remand—Lesser Included Offenses.
October 5, 2023
People v. Hollis.
2023 COA 91. No. 20CA1746. Undercover Controlled Drug Buys—Restitution—Money Advanced by Law Enforcement Agencies—Extraordinary Public Investigative Costs.
October 5, 2023
United States v. Streett.
No. 22-2056. 10/5/2023. D.N.M. Judge Ebel. Search Warrant—Inevitable Discovery Doctrine—Probable Cause—Constitutionality of 18 USC § 2251(a).
October 5, 2023
Brayman v. KeyPoint Government Solutions, Inc.
Nos. 22-1118 & 22-1168. 10/3/2023. D.Colo. Judge Hartz. Arbitration Agreement—Fair Labor Standards Act—Class Action Lawsuit—Class Certification—State Law Claims—Fed. R. Civ. Proc. 23.
October 3, 2023
People in the Interest of C.D.P.
2023 COA 90. No. 22CA2074. Juvenile Court—Dependency and Neglect—Uniform Parentage Act—Psychological Parent.
September 28, 2023
In re Katherine E. Reece Trust.
2023 COA 89. No. 22CA1393. Trust Construction—Support and Maintenance—Standard of Living.
September 28, 2023
Anderson v. Senthilnathan.
2023 COA 88. No. 22CA0858. Defamation—Issue of Public Concern—Anti-SLAPP Statute—Special Motion to Dismiss.
September 28, 2023
Gonzales v. Hushen.
2023 COA 87. No. 22CA0696. Defamation—Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress—Anti-SLAPP Statute—Special Motion to Dismiss—Quasi-Judicial Proceedings—Absolute Immunity—Title IX Investigations.
September 28, 2023
People v. C.H.
2023 COA 86. No. 21CA1136. Sealing Criminal Conviction and Criminal Justice Records—Sealing Criminal Justice Records Other Than Convictions—Deferred Judgments—Eighth Amendment.
September 28, 2023
Center for Biological Diversity v. US Environmental Protection Agency.
No. 22-9546. 9/18/2023. E.P.A. Judge Moritz. Administrative Procedure Act—Clean Air Act—40 CFR § 51.165—National Ambient Air Quality Standards—State Implementation Plan.
September 18, 2023
United States v. Coates.
No. 22-3122. 9/18/2023. D.Kan. Judge Murphy. Presentence Investigation Report—Pattern of Activity Sentence Enhancement—US Sentencing Guidelines Commentary.
September 18, 2023
Waetzig v. Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
No. 22-1252. 9/11/2023. D.Colo. Judge Tymkovich. Jurisdiction to Reopen Case—Vacatur of Arbitration Award—Fed. R. Civ. Proc. 41(a)—Fed. R. Civ. Proc. 60(b).
September 11, 2023
United States v. Leon.
No. 22-1070. 9/11/2023. D.Colo. Judge Seymour. Traffic Stop—Reasonable Suspicion—Rodriguez Moment—Drug Trafficking.
September 11, 2023
United States v. Britt.
No. 22-7012. 8/31/2023. E.D.Okla. Judge Briscoe. Self-Defense Jury Instruction—Imperfect Self-Defense Jury Instruction—Appropriateness of Sanctions.
August 31, 2023
McAnulty v. McAnulty.
No. 22-1099. 8/28/2023. D.Colo. Judge Hartz. Dissolution of Marriage—Requirement to Obtain and Maintain Life Insurance for Former Spouse—Failure to Obtain and Maintain Policy—Unjust Enrichment—Constructive Trust—Restatement (Third) of Restitution and Unjust Enrichment.
August 28, 2023
United States v. Martinez.
No. 21-7054. 9/26/2023. E.D.Okla. Judge Rossman. Methamphetamine Distribution—US Sentencing Guidelines—Firearms Enhancement—Safety Valve Relief.
September 26, 2023
Edwards v. New Century Hospice, Inc.
2023 CO 49. No. 23SA91. Statutory Immunity—Principles of Statutory Interpretation—Definition of “Person.”
September 25, 2023
Request for Comments: Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct
Deadline to submit comments: December 15, 2023 at 4 p.m.
September 21, 2023
Notice of Public Hearing and Request for Comments: Colorado Rules of ICWA Procedures
Deadline to submit comments: November 30, 2023 at 4 p.m. Deadline to request to speak at public hearing: November 30, 2023 at 4 p.m.
September 21, 2023
South Conejos School District RE-10 v. Wold Architects Inc.
2023 COA 85. No. 23CA0595. Construction Law—Construction Defect Action Reform Act—Limitation of Actions—Accrual of Claims.
September 21, 2023
Tolle v. Steeland, LLC.
2023 COA 84. No. 22CA0790. Landlords and Tenants—Colorado Premises Liability Act—Contracts—Arbitration Clauses—Wrongful Death—Damages—Action Notwithstanding Death.
September 21, 2023
People v. Kennedy.
2023 COA 83. No. 21CA1203. Vehicular Homicide (DUI)—Eighth Amendment—Cruel and Unusual Punishment—Proportionality Review—Per Se Grave or Serious Offenses.
September 21, 2023
People v. Schnorenberg.
2023 COA 82. No. 19CA0223. Colorado Securities Act—Securities Fraud and Other Prohibited Conduct—Material Misstatements or Omissions—Fraudulent Course of Business—Advice of Counsel Defense—Hearsay—Exclusion of Relevant Evidence on Grounds of Prejudice, Confusion, or Waste of Time—Jury Instructions.
September 21, 2023
People in the Int. of A-J.A.B. v. H.J.B.
2023 CO 48. No. 22SC670. Indian Child Welfare Act—Termination of Parental Rights—Dependency and Neglect—Notice Requirements—Due Diligence—Statutory Interpretation.
September 11, 2023
Killmer, Lane & Newman, LLP v. BKP, Inc.
2023 CO 47. No. 21SC930. Litigation Privilege—Defamation—Statements of Counsel—Class Actions.
September 11, 2023
Medina v. People.
2023 CO 46. No. No. 21SC765. Criminal Procedure—Plea of Guilty—Constitutional Law—Due Process.
September 11, 2023
Andersen v. DelCore.
No. 22-1130. 8/18/2023. D.Colo. Judge Ebel. Suspected Child Abuse—Excessive Use of Force—Summary Judgment—Qualified Immunity.
August 18, 2023
United States v. Old Rock.
No. 22-4047. 8/11/2023. D.Utah. Judge Murphy. Pretrial Detainee—Use of Force—Qualified Immunity—Summary Judgment.
August 11, 2023
United States v. Canada.
No. 21-3202. 8/8/2023. D.Kan. Judge Carson. Warrantless Search—Protective Sweeps—Fourth Amendment Search and Seizure—Reasonable Suspicion.
August 8, 2023
Kazi v. KFC US, LLC.
No. 22-1017. 8/4/2023. D.Colo. Judge Hartz. Franchise Agreement— Breach of Implied Covenant of Good Faith and Fair Dealing—Kentucky Law.
August 4, 2023
United States v. Akers.
No. 21-3226. 8/4/2023. D.Kan. Judge Murphy. Chronic Abuse of the Court System—Frivolous Motions—Appropriateness of Sanctions.
Boulter v. Noble Energy Inc.
Nos. 21-1384 & 22-1170. 7/25/2023. D.Colo. Judge Carson. Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission— Subject Matter Jurisdiction—Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies—Issue Preclusion— Change in Law—Unpublished Colorado Court of Appeals Opinion—Appellate Jurisdiction.
July 25, 2023
People in Interest of J.R.M.
2023 COA 81. No. 22CA1578. Juvenile Court—Trial by Jury or by the Court—Waiver of Statutory Right to Jury Trial.
September 14, 2023
Colorado Workers for Innovative and New Solutions v. Gherardini.
2023 COA 80. No. 22CA1260. State Administrative Procedure Act—Colorado Partnership for Quality Jobs and Services Act—Hearings and Determinations—Initial Decisions—Judicial Review—Final Agency Action—Colorado State Labor Relations Rules—Appeals of Coverage Decisions by the State Personnel Director.
September 14, 2023
Gomez v. Walker.
2023 COA 79. No. 22CA0463. Limitation of Actions—General Limitation of Actions Three Years—Computation of Time.
September 14, 2023
People v. Woodyard.
2023 COA 78. No. 19CA0376. Money Laundering—Colorado Organized Crime Control Act—Conspiracy—Fourth Amendment—Police Surveillance—Reasonable Expectation of Privacy.
September 14, 2023
Disciplinary Case Summaries for Matters Resulting in Diversion and Private Admonition
September 15, 2023
Romney v. People.
No. 23PDJ018. 8/23/2023. Stipulation to Reinstatement.
September 15, 2023
People v. Kennedy.
No. 22PDJ063. 5/4/2023. Reciprocal Discipline.
September 15, 2023
People v. Cornejo.
No. 21PDJ085 (consolidated with Nos. 22PDJ026 and 22PDJ057). 6/13/2023. Opinion Imposing Sanctions.
September 15, 2023
Reynolds v. Great Northern Insurance Co.
2023 COA 77. No. 22CA1305. Insurance Companies—Required Disclosures—Penalty for Untimely Disclosures—One-Year Limitation of Actions for Any Penalty—Continuing Violation Doctrine.
September 7, 2023
Bertoia v. Denver Gateway.
2023 COA 76. No. 22CA1619. Lis Pendens—Spurious Document—Colorado Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act—Supersedeas Bond—Mootness of Appeal.
August 24, 2023
People v. Bonde.
2023 COA 75. No. 21CA0137. Credit for Presentence Confinement—Community Corrections Programs—Credit Against Term of Confinement—Nonresidential Community Supervision.
August 24, 2023
Ward v. State.
2023 CO 45. No. 23SA150. Ballot Titles—Subject Matter Jurisdiction–Single-Subject Requirement—Clear Expression Requirement.
August 21, 2023
People v. Timbreza.
No. 23PDJ028. 6/7/2023. Stipulation to Discipline.
August 11, 2023
People v. Owens.
No. 23PDJ030. 6/23/2023. Stipulation to Discipline.
August 11, 2023
People v. Menges.
No. 21PDJ008. 5/31/2023. Stipulation to Discipline.
August 11, 2023
People v. Matthews.
No. 23PDJ032. 7/11/2023. Stipulation to Discipline.
August 11, 2023
People v. Maffeo.
No. 21PDJ083. 6/6/2023. Reciprocal Discipline.
August 11, 2023
People v. Laffoon.
No. 23PDJ026. 6/23/2023. Stipulation to Discipline.
August 11, 2023
People v. Haubenreiser.
No. 23PDJ003. 7/21/2023. Stipulation to Discipline.
August 11, 2023
People v. Gradisar.
No 23PDJ027. 5/24/2023. Stipulation to Discipline.
August 11, 2023
People v. Egbune.
No. 22PDJ029. 3/21/2023. Opinion Imposing Sanctions.
August 11, 2023
People v. Edwards.
No. 21PDJ077. 5/22/2023. Opinion Imposing Sanctions.
August 11, 2023
Conley v. People.
No. 23PDJ014. 6/21/2023. Stipulation to Reinstatement.
August 11, 2023
Simon v. Industrial Claim Appeals Office.
2023 COA 74. No. 22CA1922. Unemployment Benefits—Disqualification—Insubordination—COVID-19—Religious Exemption From Immunization Requirements.
August 10, 2023
People v. Coats.
2023 CO 44. No. 23SA114. Imposition of Discipline for Violation of Judicial Duties.
August 7, 2023
King Soopers Inc. v. Industrial Claim Appeals Office.
2023 COA 73. Workers’ Compensation—Unexplained Injury—Neutral Risk—“But-for” Test.
August 3, 2023
Rosenblum v. Budd.
2023 COA 72. No. 22CA0393. Defamation—Misappropriation of Name and Likeness—Civil Conspiracy—Anti-SLAPP Statute—Special Motion to Dismiss—Attorney Fees.
August 3, 2023
Colorado Supreme Court: Colorado Judicial Ethics Advisory Board (CJEAB)
C.J.E.A.B. Advisory Opinion 2023-01 (Finalized and Effective July 25, 2023)
July 25, 2023
Chung v. Lamb.
No. 22-1266. 7/13/2023. D.Colo. Judge Haztz. Agreement for Legal Representation—Real Party in Interest—Sanctionable Conduct—Attorney Fees—Surreply—Law of the Case.
July 13, 2023
Hogan v. Pilgrim’s Pride Corp.
No. 21-1445. 7/13/2023. D.Colo. Judge Hartz. Securities Fraud—Class Action—Amended Pleadings—Relation Back—Fed. R. Civ. P. 15(c)—Statute of Repose.
July 13, 2023
Wise v. Caffey.
Nos. 22-5069 & 22-5086. 7/11/2023. N.D.Okla. Judge Tymkovich. Pretrial Detainee—Use of Force—Qualified Immunity—Summary Judgment.
July 11, 2023
United States v. Redbird.
No. 22-6055. 7/10/2023. W.D.Okla. Judge Moritz. Premeditated First-Degree Murder—Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury—Self-Defense—Fed. R. Evid. 404(a)(2)(B)—Testimony on Propensity for Violence—Failure to Object on Grounds Raised on Appeal—Plain Error Review—Waiver of Evidentiary Challenge.
July 10, 2023
United States v. Gallimore.
No. 22-6081. 6/28/2023. W.D.Okla. Judge Carson. Armed Career Criminal Act Sentencing Enhancement—Prior Convictions—Crimes Occurring on the Same Occasion—Pretext—Summary Judgment.
June 28, 2023
United States v. Lee.
No. 21-6167. 6/27/2023. W.D.Okla. Judge Carson. Felon in Possession of a Firearm—US Sentencing Guideline § 5G1.3(b)(1)—District Court Discretion—Downward Sentencing Adjustment.
June 27, 2023
Rule Change 2023(13)
The Colorado Appellate Rules
July 21, 2023
Anderson v. Shorter Arms Investors, LLC.
2023 COA 71. No. 22CA0122. Landlords and Tenants—Warranty of Habitability—Statutory Notice Requirements.
July 20, 2023
People v. Roberson.
2023 COA 70. No. 21CA1713. Restitution Amount—Statutory Deadline to Order Restitution—Good Cause to Extend Deadline—Waiver—Invited Error—Harmless Error.
July 20, 2023
People in the Interest of Uwayezuk.
2023 COA 69. No. 22CA2278. Competency to Proceed—Involuntary Medication Administration—Ineffective Assistance of Counsel—Sufficiency of Pleadings.
July 13, 2023
Cronk v. Bowers.
2023 COA 68. No. 22CA1075. Boundary by Acquiescence Doctrine—Adverse Possession—Disputed Boundary—Civil Theft—Unlawful Detention—Permanent Injunction—Attorney Fees and Costs.
July 13, 2023
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