Chief Judge Order 22-7 Re: Delayed Openings and Closures

Delayed Openings:
If the opening of the El Paso or Teller County Courthouse is delayed because of weather, all scheduled cases will be delayed until the opening of the courthouse. All parties with a case scheduled during the delay must report to the courtroom division where their case is set when the courthouse opens.

Closures:
If the El Paso or Teller County Courthouse is closed for the entire day, all scheduled cases shall be automatically reset to the same time on the next business day that the courthouse is open, subject to the following exception:

A judicial officer may conduct proceedings virtually when the courthouse is closed, provided that no later than 4 p.m. on the business day before the anticipated closure:

1. All parties agree to appear remotely;
2. All attorneys agree to appear remotely;
3. To the extent there are witnesses, all witnesses are available to testify remotely; and
4. Transport or Webex participation for any in-custody defendant is approved by the El Paso County or Teller County Sheriff's Office.

Any judicial officer conducting proceedings remotely shall notify the local administration of such plan no later than 4 p.m. the day before the anticipated closure.

All jury trials will be delayed until the next business day that the courthouse is open.