The U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado is the federal trial court for the whole state. The court's site lists courthouses in Denver, Colorado Springs, Grand Junction and Durango. Here is where the court sits, who prosecutes and defends cases there, and its local sentencing deadlines.
We handle federal cases nationwide.
Where does the court sit?
Colorado is one judicial district with no divisions. By law, court is held at Boulder, Colorado Springs, Denver, Durango, Grand Junction, Montrose, Pueblo and Sterling (28 U.S.C. § 85). The court's site lists these courthouses:
Denver
Alfred A. Arraj U.S. Courthouse, 901 19th Street, and Byron G. Rogers Courthouse, 1929 Stout Street.
Colorado Springs
212 N. Wahsatch Avenue.
Grand Junction
Wayne Aspinall Courthouse, 400 Rood Avenue.
Durango
La Plata County Courthouse, 1060 E. 2nd Avenue, Suite 150.
United States District Court for the District of Colorado
Which appeals court covers it?
Appeals from this court go to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit (28 U.S.C. §§ 41, 1294(1)). Its decisions are binding on the federal judges in this district, so its precedent governs cases here (uscourts.gov, About the U.S. Courts of Appeals).
Our Tenth Circuit appeals guide covers deadlines and the court’s own rules for criminal appeals.
Who prosecutes and who defends?
Federal prosecutors here work for the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Colorado, part of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Anyone charged with a federal crime who can’t afford a lawyer can ask the court to appoint one (18 U.S.C. § 3006A). Here, appointed lawyers come from the Office of the Federal Public Defender for the District of Colorado, a Federal Public Defender office in Denver, or from a panel of private lawyers the court approves.
Where are the local rules and sentencing procedures?
Every federal court follows the national rules, such as the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, plus its own local rules. This court publishes them on its local rules page.
Local Criminal Rule 32.1 adds sentencing deadlines. After a guilty verdict, the government files a sentencing statement within 30 days, and the defense may file one within 14 days after that. A motion for a departure or variance must be filed as a separate motion at least 14 days before sentencing. Letters and other documents about the defendant go to the probation office at least 10 days before sentencing.
“A motion for departure or variance shall be filed no later than 14 days before sentencing.”
Is Brandon Sample admitted in this court?
Yes. Brandon Sample is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado. He has also handled federal cases in courts across the country.
Which federal prisons are in this district?
Bureau of Prisons facilities in this district (bop.gov lists their judicial district as Colorado):
- FCI Englewood
Low security, with a detention center. Littleton, Colorado.
- FCI Florence
Medium security, with a satellite camp. Florence, Colorado. Part of FCC Florence.
- USP Florence - High
High security. Florence, Colorado. Part of FCC Florence.
- USP Florence ADMAX
Administrative security. Florence, Colorado. Part of FCC Florence.
A prison being in this district doesn’t mean someone sentenced here will go there. The Bureau of Prisons decides where each person serves their sentence (18 U.S.C. § 3621(b)).
What should you know about a federal case in this district?
- The first hearing comes fast. After an arrest, the person goes before a magistrate judge without unnecessary delay for an initial appearance (Fed. R. Crim. P. 5(a)). The judge decides whether they stay in custody while the case goes on (18 U.S.C. § 3142).
- Most felony cases start with an indictment. A grand jury decides in private whether to approve the charges (Fed. R. Crim. P. 6, 7).
- The presentence report matters. A federal probation officer writes a report on the offense and the person’s life before sentencing, and the defense can object to mistakes in it (Fed. R. Crim. P. 32(c)–(f)). Check this court’s schedule above.
- The judge decides the sentence. The judge must consider the Sentencing Guidelines and the factors in 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a), including the person’s history and background. Family and friends can write letters; there is no limit on the background information a judge may consider (18 U.S.C. § 3661).
- The appeal clock is short. A defendant’s notice of appeal is usually due within 14 days after the judgment is entered (Fed. R. App. P. 4(b)(1)(A)).
- Prison phones and email are monitored. Don’t discuss the case on them (28 C.F.R. § 540.102).
How a federal criminal case works →
More questions about federal cases →
Questions about the District of Colorado
Where does the federal court in Colorado hold court?
Colorado is one federal district. By law, court can be held at Boulder, Colorado Springs, Denver, Durango, Grand Junction, Montrose, Pueblo and Sterling (28 U.S.C. § 85). The court's site lists courthouses in Denver (901 19th Street and 1929 Stout Street), Colorado Springs, Grand Junction and Durango.
When are sentencing statements due after a trial in this court?
Within 30 days after a guilty verdict for the government, and within 14 days after that for the defense. D.C.COLO.LCrR 32.1(a) requires the government's sentencing statement and allows the defendant to file one. A motion for a departure or variance is due at least 14 days before sentencing (LCrR 32.1(c)).
When should letters of support reach the court?
At least 10 days before sentencing, unless the judge orders otherwise. Under D.C.COLO.LCrR 32.1(e), letters, certificates, photographs and other documents about the defendant go to the probation office no later than 10 days before sentencing, and the probation officer files them at least 7 days before sentencing.
Who represents people here who can't afford a lawyer?
The court can appoint a lawyer (18 U.S.C. § 3006A). In this district, appointed lawyers come from the Office of the Federal Public Defender for the District of Colorado, in Denver, or from a panel of private lawyers the court approves.
Where do appeals from this court go?
To the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit (28 U.S.C. §§ 41, 1294(1)). A defendant's notice of appeal is usually due within 14 days after the judgment is entered (Fed. R. App. P. 4(b)(1)(A)).
Sources
- U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado
- D. Colo. court locations
- 28 U.S.C. § 85
- D. Colo. Local Rules (eff. Dec. 1, 2025, revised Mar. 4, 2026 PDF)
- 28 U.S.C. § 41 (circuits)
- uscourts.gov: About the U.S. Courts of Appeals
- USAO District of Colorado
- Federal Public Defender, D. Colo.
- FCI Englewood (bop.gov)
- FCI Florence (bop.gov)
- USP Florence - High (bop.gov)
- USP Florence ADMAX (bop.gov)
- BOP locations list