--- name: co-draft-order description: > This skill should be used to scaffold a Colorado proposed order for a judge's signature. Triggers include "draft a Colorado proposed order", "draft an order Colorado", "Colorado order under C.R.C.P. 121", "proposed order granting motion to compel", "decree of dissolution Colorado", "writ of garnishment order", "default judgment order Colorado". Produces a proposed order with the caption replicated, mirroring the relief sought in the underlying motion, with discrete numbered findings and a separate ordering clause; includes the judge-signature block at the foot and (for Colorado practice) a courtesy Word-format version commonly emailed separately to chambers. version: 0.1.0 --- # Draft a Colorado Proposed Order > **NOT LEGAL ADVICE.** This skill scaffolds a proposed order. The > filer is responsible for ensuring the order mirrors the relief > sought in the underlying motion and contains nothing the court did > not actually rule on. Use this skill in addition to `co-statewide-format` when a motion or stipulation requires a **Proposed Order** for the judge's signature. Most Colorado motions must be accompanied by a proposed order under C.R.C.P. 121 § 1-15(7). ## Cardinal rule — the proposed order mirrors the motion The proposed order's relief should **mirror exactly** the relief requested in the motion. Two failure modes: - **Over-reaching**: ordering something the motion did not request — judges strike or modify these - **Under-reaching**: omitting something the motion requested but the court might want to grant — leaves the order incomplete Cross-check the prayer for relief in the motion (`WHEREFORE...`) against the proposed order's ordering clause (`IT IS HEREBY ORDERED...`) one item at a time. ## Standard proposed-order structure ``` [Caption — exactly matching the motion] [DOCUMENT TITLE: ORDER ON DEFENDANT'S MOTION TO COMPEL DISCOVERY] THIS MATTER comes before the Court on Defendant's Motion to Compel Discovery (the "Motion"), filed [date]. The Court has reviewed the Motion, the Response (if any), the Reply (if any), the supporting declarations and exhibits, and the case file. The Court FINDS as follows: 1. [Finding 1, e.g., "Defendant timely served Plaintiff with its First Set of Interrogatories and Requests for Production on [date]."] 2. [Finding 2, e.g., "Plaintiff did not timely respond to Interrogatories Nos. 3, 5, and 7 or to Requests for Production Nos. 2 and 8."] 3. [Finding 3, e.g., "Defendant's counsel conferred with Plaintiff's counsel on [date] in compliance with C.R.C.P. 121 § 1-15(8)."] 4. [Finding 4, e.g., "Plaintiff's objections are without merit under C.R.C.P. 26(b)(5) because they lack the required particularity."] The Court CONCLUDES that good cause exists to grant the Motion. ORDER IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that: A. Defendant's Motion to Compel Discovery is GRANTED. B. Plaintiff shall serve, within 14 days of this Order, full and complete responses to Defendant's Interrogatories Nos. 3, 5, and 7 and Requests for Production Nos. 2 and 8, without objection. C. Pursuant to C.R.C.P. 37(a)(5), Defendant is awarded its reasonable expenses incurred in bringing this Motion, including attorneys' fees, in the amount of $______. Defendant shall submit a fee affidavit within 14 days of this Order. D. The Case Management Order entered [date] is amended as follows: [if applicable]. DATED this ___ day of __________, 20__. BY THE COURT: _____________________________ [Judge's Name] District Court Judge [Division ##] ``` ## Findings vs. order — keep them separate Colorado judges expect a clear separation between **factual findings** (numbered, neutrally stated) and **the ordering clause** (lettered or numbered list of specific commands). Conflating the two — e.g., "Because Plaintiff failed to respond and Defendant is therefore entitled to attorneys' fees, the Court orders..." — makes it harder for the judge to delete a finding without invalidating an order. ## Default judgment order For default judgments under C.R.C.P. 55(b), the proposed order must include specific findings: ``` THIS MATTER comes before the Court on Plaintiff's Motion for Entry of Default Judgment under C.R.C.P. 55(b)(2). Having reviewed the file, the Court FINDS: 1. Defendant was personally served with the Summons and Complaint on [date] per the Return of Service filed [date]. 2. Defendant has not filed an answer or other responsive pleading within the time allowed by C.R.C.P. 12(a). 3. The Clerk entered default under C.R.C.P. 55(a) on [date]. 4. Plaintiff is entitled to judgment in the amount of $_____ consisting of: a. Principal: $_____ b. Pre-judgment interest at the statutory rate of [8% under C.R.S. § 5-12-102 / contract rate]: $_____ c. Filing fee: $_____ d. Service of process: $_____ e. Other costs: $_____ 5. Post-judgment interest will accrue at the statutory rate of 8% per annum under C.R.S. § 5-12-102 from the date of entry until paid. IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that judgment is entered in favor of Plaintiff and against Defendant in the amount of $_____. ``` ## Decree-form orders (family law) Decrees of dissolution, legal separation, and declarations of invalidity follow a longer structure with detailed findings on jurisdiction, marriage, residency, marital property, debts, maintenance, parental responsibilities, and child support. Use **JDF 1116** (decree template) as the starting point. See `co-family-law` for the substantive structure. ## Word-format chambers copy In many Colorado JDs (especially the 18th JD and some Denver divisions), the assigned judge requests an **editable Word-format** proposed order emailed directly to chambers in addition to the PDF filed through CCEFS. The Word copy lets the judge: - Edit findings before signing - Insert specific date or dollar fills - Strike portions the court declines to grant When the judge's practice standards call for a Word copy: 1. Save the proposed order as `.docx` 2. Email to chambers at `[division-name].chambers@judicial.state.co.us` or the address listed in the judge's practice standards 3. Subject line: `Proposed Order — [Case Short Title], Case No. [Number]` 4. Body: brief reference to the underlying motion and the CCEFS filing date ## Composition - For format: `co-statewide-format` - For the supporting motion: `co-draft-motion` - For the supporting declaration: `co-draft-declaration` - For the post-hearing signed-order workflow: `co-submit-order` - For court overlay: `co-denver`, `co-arapahoe`, `co-county-courts` - For dispositive-order specifics: `co-post-judgment` - For family-law decrees: `co-family-law` ## References - `references/proposed-order-template.md` - `references/default-judgment-order.md` - `references/findings-vs-order.md` - `references/word-chambers-copy-protocol.md`