State Court Motion for Continuance - Colorado

STATE COURT MOTION FOR CONTINUANCE

(Colorado District Court – Template)

1. CAPTION

MOTION FOR CONTINUANCE OF [TRIAL/HEARING]

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

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.

Under C.R.C.P. 121 § 1-11, undersigned counsel certifies that a copy of this motion was served on counsel's client, [CLIENT NAME], on [DATE] by [METHOD OF SERVICE].

DATED: [DATE]
[LAW FIRM NAME]

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

3. MEMORANDUM OF POINTS AND AUTHORITIES

3.1 Introduction

3.2 Procedural Background

3.3 Legal Standard

C.R.C.P. 121 § 1-11 provides that continuances will be granted only for good cause shown. In exercising its discretion, the court considers 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. The grant or denial of a continuance is committed to the sound discretion of the trial court and will not be disturbed absent an abuse of that discretion. Butler v. Farner, 704 P.2d 853 (Colo. 1985) (affirming denial of a continuance beyond an accelerated trial setting); see also Todd v. Bear Valley Village Apartments, 980 P.2d 973, 975 (Colo. 1999) (recognizing the trial court’s discretion to grant continuances and to impose reasonable conditions). 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

3.4.2 Diligence, Prejudice, and Case Management Orders

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

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 (CCE) on all counsel of record and by [alternative method, if any] on:

[List recipients]

__________________________________
[NAME OF DECLARANT]