STATE COURT MOTION FOR CONTINUANCE

(Colorado District Court – Template)

[// GUIDANCE: Modify for County Court or specialized divisions as needed.]

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Caption ............................................................................................................................ 2
2. Motion ............................................................................................................................. 3
3. Memorandum of Points and Authorities ....................................................................... 5
   3.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 5
   3.2 Procedural Background ..................................................................................... 6
   3.3 Legal Standard ................................................................................................... 7
   3.4 Argument ............................................................................................................ 8
   3.4.1 Good Cause Under C.R.C.P. 121 § 1-11 ................................................. 8
   3.4.2 Diligence, Prejudice, and Case Management Orders ............................ 9
   3.5 Conclusion ......................................................................................................... 10
4. Declaration/Affidavit of [ATTORNEY NAME] ............................................................... 11
5. [PROPOSED] ORDER ..................................................................................................... 13
6. Certificate of Service ................................................................................................... 15

1. CAPTION

DISTRICT COURT, [COUNTY] COUNTY, COLORADO
Court Address: [COURTHOUSE ADDRESS]

Plaintiff: [PLAINTIFF NAME]

v.

Defendant: [DEFENDANT NAME]

Case Number: [CASE NUMBER]
Division: [DIVISION]
Courtroom: [COURTROOM]

MOTION FOR CONTINUANCE OF [TRIAL/HEARING]

Hearing Date: [HEARING DATE]
Hearing Time: [HEARING TIME]

2. MOTION

[MOVING PARTY], by and through counsel, moves the Court for a continuance of the [trial/hearing] currently scheduled for [CURRENT DATE] and requests that it be reset to [REQUESTED NEW DATE] or a date convenient to the Court.

This motion is made pursuant to C.R.C.P. 121 § 1-11 and C.R.C.P. 40. Good cause exists because [describe specific grounds, e.g., "lead counsel is engaged in a conflicting trial", "essential expert recently disclosed opinions requiring additional preparation", "party has experienced a medical emergency"].

Pursuant to C.R.C.P. 121 § 1-15(8), undersigned counsel certifies that on [DATE] counsel conferred with [opposing counsel/party], who [does not oppose/opposes] this request.

DATED: [DATE]
[LAW FIRM NAME]

By: _______
[ATTORNEY NAME], Reg. No. [NUMBER]
Attorney for [PARTY]

3. MEMORANDUM OF POINTS AND AUTHORITIES

3.1 Introduction

[// GUIDANCE: Provide a concise overview of the relief sought and the circumstances necessitating a continuance.]

3.2 Procedural Background

[// GUIDANCE: Describe relevant procedural history, including trial settings, discovery deadlines, dispositive motions, mediation, and prior continuances.]

3.3 Legal Standard

C.R.C.P. 121 § 1-11(1) provides that continuances will be granted only for good cause shown. Courts consider the diligence of the moving party, the length of the requested continuance, prior continuances, inconvenience to witnesses, potential prejudice to other parties, and the effect on the Court’s docket. See People v. Norman, 703 P.2d 1261, 1266 (Colo. 1985) (trial courts retain broad discretion in granting continuances when justified by the circumstances). Compliance with case management orders issued under C.R.C.P. 16 or 16.2 is also required.

3.4 Argument

3.4.1 Good Cause Under C.R.C.P. 121 § 1-11

[// GUIDANCE: Detail the factual basis demonstrating good cause. Include supporting documents such as scheduling notices, medical statements, or expert affidavits.]

3.4.2 Diligence, Prejudice, and Case Management Orders

[// GUIDANCE: Explain efforts to comply with the existing schedule, steps taken to mitigate delay, the absence of unfair prejudice to opposing parties, and consistency with the Court’s case management order.]

3.5 Conclusion

For these reasons, [MOVING PARTY] respectfully requests that the Court continue the [trial/hearing] and reset associated deadlines to accommodate the proposed schedule.

4. DECLARATION/AFFIDAVIT OF [ATTORNEY NAME]

I, [ATTORNEY NAME], declare as follows:

1. I am counsel of record for [PARTY] and have personal knowledge of the matters set forth herein.
2. The [trial/hearing] is currently set for [CURRENT DATE].
3. Good cause exists for a continuance because [provide detailed explanation].
4. The parties have diligently pursued discovery and case preparation, as summarized herein.
5. On [DATE], I conferred with [OPPOSING COUNSEL/PARTY], who [does not oppose/opposes] this request. [If opposed, describe the basis.]
6. This motion is made in good faith and not for purposes of delay.

I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of Colorado that the foregoing is true and correct.

Executed on [DATE] at [CITY], Colorado.

[ATTORNEY NAME]

5. [PROPOSED] ORDER

DISTRICT COURT, [COUNTY] COUNTY, COLORADO
Court Address: [COURTHOUSE ADDRESS]

Plaintiff: [PLAINTIFF NAME] Case No. [CASE NUMBER]

v. Division [DIVISION]

Defendant: [DEFENDANT NAME]

Upon review of [MOVING PARTY]'s Motion for Continuance, the supporting materials, and any response, the Court finds good cause under C.R.C.P. 121 § 1-11. It is ORDERED:

1. The [trial/hearing] scheduled for [CURRENT DATE] is continued to [NEW DATE] at [TIME].
2. The following deadlines are reset:
   a. Discovery cutoff: [DATE]
   b. Expert disclosures/rebuttal: [DATE]
   c. Dispositive motions: [DATE]
   d. Pretrial readiness conference: [DATE]
3. All parties shall promptly notify witnesses of the new schedule and comply with updated deadlines.

DATED: ______

BY THE COURT:

Judge/Magistrate [NAME]

6. CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I certify that on [DATE], a true and correct copy of the foregoing MOTION FOR CONTINUANCE was served via Colorado Courts E-Filing (CEF) on all counsel of record and by [alternative method, if any] on:

[List recipients]

[NAME OF DECLARANT]