CO · rules

C.A.R. 3

Appeal as of Right — How Taken

activein force · 2023-03-23 – presentact-effective-date

(a) Filing the Notice of Appeal in Appeals from Lower Courts. An appeal permitted

by law as of right from a lower court to an appellate court must be taken by filing a notice

of appeal with the clerk of the appellate court within the time allowed by C.A.R. 4. Upon

the filing of the notice of appeal, the appellate court will have exclusive jurisdiction over

the appeal and all procedures concerning the appeal unless otherwise specified by these

rules. The appellant must serve an advisory copy of the notice of appeal on the lower court

within the time allowed for filing the notice of appeal in the appellate court. An appellant’s

failure to take any step other than the timely filing of a notice of appeal does not affect the

validity of the appeal, but the court may take any action it deems appropriate, including

dismissal of the appeal, to address the deficiency. Content of the notice of appeal is not

jurisdictional.

(b) Filing the Notice of Appeal or Petition for Review in Appeals from State

Agencies. An appeal permitted by statute from a state agency directly to the court of

appeals or appellate review from a district court must be in the manner and within the time

prescribed by the applicable statute.

(1) When two or more parties are entitled to appeal from a judgment or order of a

lower court and their interests make joinder practicable, they may file a joint notice of

appeal and proceed as a single appellant.

(2) The appellate court may join or consolidate the appeals when the parties have filed

separate timely notices of appeal.

(3) An appellate court may consolidate appeals on its own or a party’s motion, or

stipulation of the parties to the several appeals.

(d) Contents of the Notice of Appeal in Civil Cases (Other Than District Court

Review of Agency Actions and Appeals from State Agencies). The notice of appeal must

contain:

(1) a caption that complies with C.A.R. 32(d);

(2) a brief description of the nature of the case including:

(A) a general statement of the nature of the controversy (not to exceed one page);

(B) the judgment, order or parts being appealed and a statement indicating the basis for

the appellate court’s jurisdiction;

including attorney fees and costs;

(D) whether the judgment was made final for purposes of appeal pursuant to C.R.C.P.

54(b);

(E) the date the judgment or order was entered (if there is a question of the date, the

details necessary for the appellate court to determine whether the notice of appeal was

timely filed) and the date the order was mailed to the parties or their counsel;

(F) whether the lower court granted any extensions to file any motion(s) for post-trial

relief, and, if so, the date of the request, and the date to which filing was extended;

(G) the date any motion for post-trial relief was filed;

(H) the date any motion for post-trial relief was denied or deemed denied under

C.R.C.P. 59(j); and

(I) whether an appellate court granted an extension to file any notice(s) of appeal, and,

if so, the date of the request, and the date to which filing was extended;

(3) an advisory listing of the issues to be raised on appeal;

(4) whether a transcript of any proceeding taken before the lower court is necessary to

resolve the issues raised on appeal;

(5) whether a magistrate issued the order on review, and if so, whether consent was

necessary. If a magistrate issued the order on review and consent was not necessary,

whether a petition for review of the order was filed in the district court and ruled upon by

a district court judge pursuant to the Colorado Rules for Magistrates;

(6) the names of counsel for the parties, their addresses, telephone numbers, e-mail

addresses, and registration numbers;

(7) if applicable, a statement that the filing fee is waived under C.A.R. 12(a)(4);

(8) an appendix containing:

(A) the judgment or order being appealed;

(B) the findings of the court, if any;

(D) the lower court’s order granting or denying leave to proceed in forma pauperis if

appellant is filing without paying the docket fee pursuant to C.A.R. 12(b); and

(9) a certificate of service in compliance with C.A.R. 25 showing service of a copy of

the notice of appeal (with attachments) on the lower court and all other parties to the action

below.

(e) Contents of Notice of Appeal from State Agencies (Other Than the Industrial

Claim Appeals Office) Directly to the Court of Appeals. The notice of appeal must

contain:

(1) a caption that complies with C.A.R. 32(d);

(2) a brief description of the nature of the case including:

(A) a general statement of the nature of the controversy (not to exceed one page);

(B) the order being appealed and a statement indicating the basis for the appellate

court’s jurisdiction;

(D) whether the order is final for purposes of appeal; and

(E) the date of service of the agency’s final order. The date of service of an order is the

date on which a copy of the order is delivered in person, or, if service is by mail, the date

of mailing.

(3) an advisory listing of the issues to be raised on appeal;

(4) whether a transcript of any proceeding taken before the administrative agency is

necessary to resolve the issues raised on appeal;

(5) the names of counsel for the parties, their addresses, telephone numbers, e-mail

addresses, and registration numbers;

(6) an appendix containing a copy of the order being appealed and the agency’s

findings, if any; and

(7) a certificate of service in compliance with C.A.R. 25 showing service of a copy of

the notice of appeal (with attachments) on the state agency and all other persons who have

appeared as parties to the action before the agency, or as required by section 24-4-106(4),

C.R.S. concerning rule-making appeals.

(f) Contents of Notice of Appeal from District Court Review of Agency Actions.

The notice of appeal must contain:

(1) a caption that complies with C.A.R. 32(d);

(2) a brief description of the nature of the case including:

(A) a general statement of the nature of the controversy (not to exceed one page);

(B) the decision or order being appealed and a statement indicating the basis for the

appellate court’s jurisdiction;

(D) whether the decision or order is final for purposes of appeal;

(E) the date the decision or order was entered (if there is a question of the date, the

details necessary for the appellate court to determine whether the notice of appeal was

timely filed) and the date the order was mailed to the parties or their counsel;

(F) whether the district court granted any extensions to file any motion(s) for post-trial

relief, and, if so, the date of the request, and the date to which filing was extended;

(G) the date any motion for post-trial relief was filed;

(H) the date any motion for post-trial relief was denied or deemed denied under

C.R.C.P. 59(j);

(I) the date the notice of intent to seek appellate review was filed with the district court

pursuant to section 24-4-106(9), C.R.S.; and

(J) whether any court granted an extension to file any notice(s) of appeal, and, if so,

the date of the request, and the date to which filing was extended;

(3) an advisory listing of the issues to be raised on appeal;

(4) whether a transcript of any proceeding taken before the lower court or administrative agency is necessary to resolve the issues raised on appeal;

(5) the names of counsel for the parties, their addresses, telephone numbers, e-mail

addresses, and registration numbers;

(6) an appendix containing a copy of the decision or order being appealed, the agency

order and the agency’s findings, if any; and

(7) a certificate of service in compliance with C.A.R. 25 showing service of a copy of

the notice of appeal (with attachments) on the district court, the agency and all other

persons who have appeared as parties to the district court proceedings.

(g) Contents of the Notice of Appeal in Criminal Cases. The notice of appeal must

contain:

(1) a caption that complies with C.A.R. 32;

(2) a brief description of the nature of the case including:

(A) a general statement of the nature of the case;

(B) the charges upon which the defendant was tried;

(D) the date judgment of conviction or the order granting or denying a motion for

postconviction relief was entered;

(E) the date the sentence was imposed;

(F) the sentence; and

(G) a statement indicating the basis for the appellate court’s jurisdiction;

(3) whether an appeal bond was granted and, if so, the amount of the bond;

(4) an advisory listing of the issues to be raised on appeal;

(5) whether a transcript of proceedings taken before the lower court is necessary to

resolve the issues on appeal;

(6) the names of counsel for the parties, their addresses, telephone numbers, e-mail

addresses, and registration numbers;

(7) if applicable, a statement that the filing fee is waived under C.A.R. 12(a)(4);

(8) an appendix containing:

(A) a copy of the judgment or order being appealed, including the mittimus;

(B) the findings of the court, if any;

(D) a copy of the lower court’s order granting or denying leave to proceed in forma

pauperis if appellant is filing without paying the docket fee pursuant to C.A.R. 12(b); and

(9) a certificate of service in compliance with C.A.R. 25 showing service of a copy of

the notice of appeal (with attachments) on the lower court and all other parties to the action

in the lower court.

(h) Contents of any Notice of Cross-Appeal. A notice of cross-appeal must contain

the same information required for a notice of appeal and must identify the party initiating

the cross-appeal and designate all cross-appellees.

History

Source: IP(d) added and (d)(1), (d)(2), IP(f), (f)(1), and (f)(2) amended August 23, 1984, effective January 1, 1985; (d)(2)(B), (e)(2)(B), (f)(2)(B), (g)(2)(E), and (g)(2)(F) amended and (g)(2)(G) and (i) added August 30, 1985, effective January 1, 1986; (d)(7) and (g)(7) amended May 15, 1986, effective November 1, 1986; and IP(e) and (e)(7) amended June 4, 1987, effective January 1, 1988; (h) amended March 17, 1994, effective July 1, 1994; (h) amended June 7, 1994, effective July 1, 1994; IP(d)(1), IP(e)(1), IP(f)(1), and IP(g)(1) amended June 1, 2000, effective July 1, 2000; (a) amended and (a) comment deleted, (b) and (d) amended and (d) comment deleted, (e) to (g) amended and (g) comment amended, and (h) amended, and (i) repealed and comment added and effective October 17, 2014; entire rule and comment amended February 24, 2022, effective July 1, 2022 (Rule Change 2022(05)); (d)(7) adopted and (d)(7) and (d)(8) renumbered to (d)(8) and (d)(9) and (g)(7) adopted and (g)(7) and (g)(8) renumbered to (g)(8) and (g)(9), effective March 23, 2023 (Rule Change 2023(05)). COMMENTS In most criminal cases, the State of Colorado is represented by the Office of the Attorney Gen- eral. See § 24-31-101(1)(a), C.R.S. C.A.R. 3 requires certain jurisdictional informa- tion and combines the notice of appeal, desig- nation of parties, and preliminary statement into one document. The rule also requires appellants to attach a copy of the order being appealed to the notice of appeal. It requires a notice of appeal in criminal cases and, consistent with the requirements for all other case types, requires information about counsel and the parties. Cross references: For time within which notice of appeal must be filed, see C.A.R. 4. ANNOTATION Law reviews. For article, ‘‘Appellate Proce- dure and the New Supreme Court Rules’’, see 30 Dicta 1 (1953). For article, ‘‘Appealing Or- ders in Probate Cases: The Finality Question’’, see 50 Colo. Law. 22 (Feb. 2021). For article, ‘‘Demystifying Colorado’s Atypical Civil and Administrative Appeals’’, see 52 Colo. Law. 24 (Jan.-Feb. 2023). Purpose of the notice of appeal is simply to put the other party on notice that an appeal will be taken and to identify the action of the trial court from which the appeal is to be taken. Widener v. District Court, 200 Colo. 398, 615 P.2d 33 (1980). The particular function of the notice of ap- peal is to require the clerk of the court, in which the judgment complained of is entered, to cer- tify the record for review. Hull v. Denver Tram- way Corp., 97 Colo. 523, 50 P.2d 791 (1935); Wheeler Kelly Hagny Trust Co. v. Williamson, 111 Colo. 515, 143 P.2d 685 (1943); People v. Bost, 770 P.2d 1209 (Colo. 1989). Purpose of requiring notice where less than the entire record is designated on ap- peal is to permit the appellee an opportunity to add to the designated portions. People v. Slen- der Wrap, Inc., 36 Colo. App. 11, 536 P.2d 850 (1975). Timely filing of notice of appeal is manda- tory and jurisdictional. Chapman v. Miller, 29 Colo. App. 8, 476 P.2d 763 (1970); Cline v. Farmers Ins. Exchange, 792 P.2d 305 (Colo. App. 1990). Failure to file a notice of appeal within the prescribed time deprives the appellate court of jurisdiction and precludes a review of the mer- its. Widener v. District Court, 200 Colo. 398, 615 P.2d 33 (1980). The filing of a notice of appeal is mandatory and a jurisdictional prerequisite for appellate review of a lower court decision to deny a Rule 35(a), Crim. P. motion. People v. Silvola, 198 Colo. 228, 597 P.2d 583 (1979). Notice of appeal not timely filed. Earlier notice of appeal, which related to probate of will, did not provide notice of appeal of order vacating notices of lis pendens to estate prop- erty, and since no timely appeal was filed, court lacked jurisdiction over appeal. Matter of Estate of Anderson, 727 P.2d 867 (Colo. App. 1986)(decided under former rule). Untimely service of notice of appeal to ap- pellee does not affect court’s jurisdiction to hear appeal. B.A. Leasing Corp. v. State Bd. of Equal., 745 P.2d 254 (Colo. App. 1987), aff’d sub nom. Gates Rubber Co. v. Bd. of Equaliza- tion, 770 P.2d 1189 (Colo. 1989). Notice of appeal is not ‘‘pleading’’ within strict definition of term, and therefore failure to serve copies of notice as directed by trial court did not warrant court of appeals decision to dismiss appeal. Matter of Estate of Jones, 704 P.2d 845 (Colo. 1985) (decided under for- mer rule). Dismissal of appeal for failure to serve notice of designation of record is made discre- tionary by section (a). People v. Slender Wrap, Inc., 36 Colo. App. 11, 536 P.2d 850 (1975). Substantial compliance with section (c) is all that is required. Widener v. District Court, 200 Colo. 398, 615 P.2d 33 (1980); See People v. Bost, 770 P.2d 1209 (Colo. 1989). Lack of designation in the caption that the document is a notice of appeal will not defeat substantial compliance. Widener v. District Court, 200 Colo. 398, 615 P.2d 33 (1980). Where defendant objected to venue by filing a proper motion prior to answering complaint, issue was preserved for appeal regardless of lack of specific reference to venue in notice of appeal. Resolution Trust Corp. v. Parker, 824 P.2d 102 (Colo. App. 1991). Defect in the notice of appeal was harmless where appellant failed to list all of the parties to the appeal, but complied with all other provi- sions of the rule. Turkey Creek, LLC v. Rosania, 953 P.2d 1306 (Colo. App. 1998). When sanctions are imposed against a liti- gant’s attorney, the attorney is a real party in interest and must appeal in his or her own name. Because plaintiffs’ attorney did not file a separate notice of appeal and the plaintiffs’ no- tice of appeal did not name the attorney as an appellant, the court is jurisdictionally barred from deciding whether the trial court abused its discretion in imposing sanctions against the at- torney. Maul v. Shaw, 843 P.2d 139 (Colo. App. 1992), impliedly overruled in Cruz v. Benine, 984 P.2d 1173 (Colo. 1999). To have standing to appeal an award of attorney fees only against a party’s attorney, the attorney must file a separate appeal or be added as an appellant to the party’s appeal. Anglum v. USAA Cas. Ins. Co., 166 P.3d 191 (Colo. App. 2007). Abuse of discretion. In light of the signifi- cance of the issues on appeal (i.e., the state’s obligation to maintain state prisoners in state correctional facilities and to reimburse counties for confining state prisoners) and the fact that both petitioner and respondent sought appellate review, the court of appeals abused its discre- tion in dismissing case for failure to timely transmit the record. Dept. of Corr. v. Pena, 788 P.2d 143 (Colo. 1990). Substantiality of issues. When determining whether dismissal is an appropriate sanction for failure to timely transmit the record, an appel- late court should consider the substantiality of the issues on appeal and the full range of pos- sible sanctions and should select the sanction most appropriate under the circumstances. Dept. of Corr. v. Pena, 788 P.2d 143 (Colo. 1990). Court elected to suspend strict require- ments of this rule. Serv. Oil Co. v. Rhodus, 179 Colo. 335, 500 P.2d 807 (1972); Converse v. Zinke, 635 P.2d 1228 (Colo. App. 1979), aff’d in part, and rev’d on other grounds, 635 P.2d 882 (Colo. 1981). Supersedeas not required. The appeal and the supersedeas are two separate things, and the appeal can be sustained without a supersedeas. Monks v. Hemphill, 119 Colo. 378, 203 P.2d 503 (1949). Rule inapplicable to industrial commission orders. This rule has no application to the re- view of orders of the industrial commission. Trujillo v. Indus. Comm’n, 31 Colo. App. 297, 501 P.2d 1344 (1972). Applied in Beadles v. Metayka, 135 Colo. 366, 311 P.2d 711 (1957); In re Peterson, 40 Colo. App. 115, 572 P.2d 849 (1977); Catron v. Catron, 40 Colo. App. 476, 577 P.2d 322 (1978); Gillespie v. Dir. of Dept. of Rev., 41 Colo. App. 561, 592 P.2d 418 (1978); Dayhoff v. State, Motor V ehicle Div., 42 Colo. App. 91, 595 P.2d 1051 (1979); People v. Moore, 674 P.2d 354 (Colo. 1984).

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Source: content.leg.colorado.gov
Retrieved: 2026-09-15
Edition: 2026-09-15
Content hash: 36f11e1d19b86504ecb18d476d2b83d30f33d61840e5f2c81bb7656d50f82f9d

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