How do I request a deferral or reschedule for jury duty in Denver County?
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Executive summary
Denver County jurors who need to defer or reschedule service must contact the local Jury Commissioner and follow the postponement instructions on the summons; Colorado allows at least one postponement and has specific rules for students and documentation requirements [1][2][3]. For Denver-specific contacts and phone help, the Denver District Attorney’s jury page lists a local number and links to the county juror site; the statewide judicial site and county court pages explain how to submit postponement requests and where to find local court locations [4][1][5].
1. What the law and courts recognize as a valid deferral request
Colorado courts treat a deferral (postponement) as a temporary rescheduling rather than a permanent excuse, and requests are reviewed administratively with requirements that may include documentation for hardships or special circumstances [6][7]. The statewide jury FAQ and postponement page emphasize contacting the local Jury Commissioner for county-specific rules and that students have defined postponement options [3][8].
2. The single most important practical step: contact the Jury Commissioner
Every summons contains instructions and a juror number, and the statewide site points jurors to the Jury Commissioner in their county to reschedule service, obtain a juror number, or get help with a postponement [1][9]. Denver-specific resources direct people to the Denver juror information page and provide a telephone contact—call 720-337-0600—for questions about jury duty logistics in Denver [4].
3. How to request the postponement — follow the summons and use the postponement section
Most procedural guidance instructs jurors to complete the postponement section on the jury summons and return it as directed; courts may accept mail or email submissions and some counties operate online portals requiring the juror ID from the summons [2][6]. The Colorado Judicial Branch’s postponement information and the county court jury pages are the controlling sources for the acceptable submission methods and any timelines [8][5].
4. Limits, deadlines and special rules for students
Colorado allows jurors at least one postponement of service; student jurors within Colorado may postpone to a date within six months or elect to be transferred to the county where they attend school, and recent legislation also provides expanded postponement rights for Colorado residents who attend school out of state (six- and twelve-month rules appear in the FAQ and HB22-1032 respectively) [3][10]. Jurors should note that courts will schedule a new mandatory date if a postponement is granted and require attendance on that new date [6].
5. Documentation, employer rules and protections
Requests based on hardship (medical issues, sole caregiver duties, etc.) generally require supporting documentation and must be submitted in advance; Colorado law also sets employer obligations and protections for jurors, including wage guidance and prohibitions on harassment by employers (cited in the jury FAQ and statutes referenced there) [7][3]. The statewide FAQ specifically warns jurors to guard against jury-duty scams and to use official court contacts when submitting requests [3].
6. If a postponement is denied or an emergency arises
Courts review each request and will notify the juror of the decision by mail or email; if a postponement is denied or an urgent conflict emerges after a summons, the local Jury Commissioner or the county court clerk are the appropriate contacts to explain alternatives or emergency requests, per the Denver juror information and statewide guidance [4][1]. Reporting requirements and possible consequences for failing to appear are governed by court rules and are described in statewide guidance about deferrals and obligations [6].
7. Where to find authoritative forms and the final word
The authoritative instructions and any required forms are on the Colorado Judicial Branch jury pages and the Denver County court juror pages; for Denver-specific assistance use the Denver juror portal linked from the DA’s jury information page or call the number provided [1][4][5]. This reporting cannot assert county-side unwritten practices beyond those official sources; the Jury Commissioner is the final point of administrative authority in Denver County [1].