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Colorado Alternative Dispute Resolution Mediation Order

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ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION / MEDIATION ORDER (CIVIL CASE)

District Court, County, Colorado

Court Address:

Plaintiff(s):

v.

Defendant(s):

COURT USE ONLY

Case Number:

Division:

Courtroom:

ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION / MEDIATION ORDER (CIVIL CASE)

1. The Court finds that the interests of a just, speedy and economic resolution of the disputes herein would be served by referral of this action to mediation, or to some other form of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).

2. Accordingly, pursuant to the Colorado Dispute Resolution Act, §13-22-301, C.R.S. et seq. and specifically §13-22-311, C.R.S. the Court orders that, except as provided in paragraph 6, all claims in this action are hereby referred to mediation.

3. All parties are ordered to cooperate in arranging for, and participating in mediation. Each party shall be present personally at the mediation session, or shall have a representative present (other than the attorney), with full settlement authority.

The Plaintiff's attorney is ordered to set up mediation in sufficient time so that it will be completed:

days before the next hearing;

days before trial;

within days after the case is at issue; or

by the following date:

4. Pursuant to §13-22-311(1), C.R.S., the parties may select their mediator from private mediators, mediation organizations, or from the Colorado Judicial Branch Office of Dispute Resolution.

The Office of Dispute Resolution for the Judicial District may be contacted at (telephone number).

5. A list of other mediators who provide services in the Judicial District

is attached is available in the clerk’s office. The information contained on this list is as supplied by the providers themselves and does not mean that the provider is recommended, approved, or verified by the Judicial District.

is not available through this courthouse.

Mediators may be identified through contacting the Colorado Council of Mediators and Mediation Organizations at 1-800-864-4317 or www.coloradomediation.org, through the Yellow Pages, or through contacting the local bar association at .

6. Compliance with paragraph 3 of this Order is excused if, within the time limits set forth in paragraph 3, the parties settle all claims, participate in another form of ADR, including but not limited to, arbitration, early neutral evaluation or mini-trial, pursuant to §13-22-313, C.R.S., or the Court grants a Motion re: Exemption from Mediation/ADR.

7. Except as expressly provided in this Order, applicable Colorado statutes, rules and/or case law shall govern the mediation or other ADR process.

8. The expense of the mediation or other ADR process shall be the responsibility of the parties, and shall be divided equally between the parties unless otherwise agreed.

9. When using mediation, the parties are advised that:

◆ The primary purpose of a mediator’s service is to assist them to reach a mutually acceptable resolution of their dispute.

◆ The mediator chosen may or may be not a lawyer, but the mediator cannot and will not provide legal advice to either or both parties.

◆ Any documents used and prepared by the mediator are ancillary to the mediation process and do not constitute legal advice.

◆ The mediator is not obligated to identify or resolve legal issues.

◆ The parties’ settlement may result in the waiver or compromise of legal rights.

◆ It is the responsibility of the parties to obtain legal advice if they so choose. Any mediator chosen by the parties who operates under a written Agreement to Mediate, which includes these advisements, shall be authorized by this court to act as the parties’ mediator. In so doing, the mediator may develop and draft a Memorandum of Understanding that reduces the agreement of the parties to writing, if requested by the parties.

9. Within five days after the completion of the mediation or other ADR process, the attorney for the Plaintiff is ordered to complete, file with the Court, and serve upon all other parties the Certificate of Compliance (JDF 1337) attached to this Order.

10. Failure to comply with this order may result in sanctions.

Date:

District Judge

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I certify that on (date), I mailed, faxed, e-filed, or hand-delivered a copy of this Order to the following:

Attorney for Plaintiff(s) or Plaintiff(s) pro se

Attorney for Defendant(s) or Defendant(s) pro se

Other:

Clerk

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What the Colorado Alternative Dispute Resolution Mediation Order Is

A Colorado Alternative Dispute Resolution Mediation Order is a court-issued directive that refers a civil matter to mediation and records the court's instructions about timing, participants, confidentiality, and reporting. It sets the mediation tasking, names or authorizes a mediator, and establishes deadlines for scheduling, attendance, and filing the mediator's report or settlement documents with the clerk of court. The order organizes expectations for parties, counsel, and the mediator and becomes part of the case file when filed with the court clerk.

Why a Mediation Order Matters for Case Management

A mediation order creates predictable process controls: it captures court directions, protects confidentiality, clarifies mediator authority, and fixes deadlines so settlement efforts proceed efficiently without repeated court intervention.

Why a Mediation Order Matters for Case Management

Who Typically Prepares or Completes the Mediation Order

The order is usually prepared by one of the parties' counsel or the court clerk after a judicial referral to mediation.

  • Plaintiff or petitioner counsel: Prepares draft order to submit to the court for referral to mediation.
  • Defense or respondent counsel: Reviews and proposes edits to timing, mediator selection, and confidentiality terms.
  • Court staff or chambers: Completes filing, docketing, and official issuance once the judge signs the order.

After signing, the court-issued order is distributed to mediators and parties and becomes binding procedural guidance for the mediation process.

Step-by-Step: Completing a Colorado Mediation Order

Follow these sequential steps to draft, review, and file a clean mediation order that the court will accept.

  • 01
    Draft Order: Prepare a proposed order including mediator, dates, deadlines, and confidentiality language.
  • 02
    Serve Counsel: Share the draft with opposing counsel for review and any agreed edits.
  • 03
    Submit to Court: File or deliver the proposed order to the judge or clerk for signature and entry.
  • 04
    Distribute Order: After signature, provide copies to the mediator, parties, and the court file per local rules.

How the Mediation Order Directs Case Flow

A mediation order creates formal routing: it sets mediation steps, assigns responsibilities, and specifies what the mediator must report back to the court.

  • Referral: Court issues referral language and attaches the proposed order to the case file.
  • Scheduling: Parties and mediator set a date consistent with the order's deadlines.
  • Mediation Session: Mediator conducts the session and documents attendance and outcomes as required.
  • Reporting: Mediator files the report or parties submit settlement documents to the clerk.

Customizing an Online Mediation Order Workflow

Set up a repeatable online workflow to generate, review, sign, and file mediation orders without manual re-entry.

Field | Configuration Value mapping | Prepopulate from case management
Template Source Central repository | Use court-approved language
Signer Order Judge or clerk last | Parties and mediator first
Authentication Email + optional SMS code | Increase signer assurance
Notifications Automatic reminders | Based on reporting deadlines

Digital Signing and Distribution Options

Choose a platform that supports secure e-signing, audit trails, and integrations with court e-filing or case management systems.

  • File Formats: PDF, Word, and DOCX supported
  • Integrations: Connects to case or cloud storage
  • Authentication: Email, SMS, or stronger methods

For eFiling, confirm the court's acceptable file types and ensure the chosen platform preserves the signed PDF, audit trail, and exportable certificate of completion.

Distribution Methods for a Filed Mediation Order

After the order is entered, distribute copies consistent with court and case rules to confirm compliance and notify participants.

  • Court Clerk: Official filing and docket entry
  • Mediator: Delivery for scheduling and reporting
  • Parties: Service by counsel or e-service

Electronic distribution is common, but verify whether the court or local rule requires paper copies, certified filings, or additional proof of service.

Typical Timelines and Expectation Windows

Timelines for mediation orders vary by court, but the order usually defines scheduling and reporting windows that the parties must meet.

Scheduling Window:

Parties typically schedule mediation within 30–120 days of referral

Attendance Requirement:

All listed parties or authorized representatives must attend as ordered

Mediator Report Deadline:

Mediator files report or status within the deadline stated in the order

Settlement Filing:

If settled, parties must file dismissal or consent judgment by the ordered date

Requesting Extension:

File a motion or stipulation before the order deadline

Key Milestones in Mediation Processing

Track five core milestones from referral through reporting to ensure court compliance and case progress.

01

Referral Issued

Court enters mediation referral and issues the mediation order.

02

Mediator Assigned

Mediator is named or agreed and accepts the appointment.

03

Session Held

Mediation session occurs on the scheduled date and time.

04

Report Filed

Mediator or parties file the report or settlement documents.

Essential Information Required in the Order

Case Caption: Court name and parties
Case Number: Complete docket number
Mediator: Name and contact details
Mediation Date: Scheduled date and time
Reporting Deadline: Date to file mediator report
Confidentiality: Agreed confidentiality terms

Penalties and Risks from Incorrect or Late Orders

Missed Deadline: Court sanctions possible
Improper Service: Order may be unenforceable
Name Mismatch: Clerk can reject filing
Unauthorized Mediator: Challenges to mediator authority
Confidentiality Error: Evidence admissibility disputes
Filing Defect: Delay of case processing

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Preparing the Order

  • Using inconsistent party names or case numbers leads to clerk rejection and misfiled documents.
  • Failing to specify the mediator's credentials or acceptance status creates authority disputes and scheduling delays.
  • Omitting a clear reporting deadline causes uncertainty about when the mediator must file a status or settlement.
  • Assuming all courts accept electronic signatures without confirming local eFiling and record retention policies.

Core Elements to Include in a Professional Mediation Order

A complete mediation order reduces ambiguity and expedites dispute resolution by specifying roles, timing, and reporting obligations.

Court Instruction

Clear directive from the judge describing the referral to mediation and any limits on mediator authority and scope of issues to be mediated.

Mediator Information

Full name, qualifications, contact details, and whether the mediator is appointed by the court or chosen by parties; confirm mediator consent and availability.

Dates and Deadlines

Explicit mediation date, session times, and the deadline for the mediator's report or for filing settlement documentation with the clerk of court.

Attendance

Identify who must attend (parties, counsel, corporate representatives) and whether attendance by an authorized decision-maker is required.

Confidentiality Terms

State whether mediation communications are confidential, cite any statutory protections, and explain limits on admissibility in subsequent proceedings.

Filing Instructions

Explain how and where the mediator or parties should file the report or settlement documents and what constitutes proof of compliance.

How to Configure an eSignature Workflow for the Order

Design a workflow that prepopulates case data, routes signatures in order, and captures an audit trail for court records.

Field Configuration
Template Use court-approved language and lock essential fields
Signer Sequence Parties and mediator sign before clerk/judge acknowledgement
Authentication Method Email verification or SMS OTP for party identity
Audit Trail Capture timestamps, IP, and signer attribution

Pricing and Feature Comparison for eSignature Providers

Vendor pricing and core feature availability for typical sign-and-send workflows. Confirm plan specifics and enterprise terms directly with each vendor before procurement.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No
Envelope Cap No cap 100 envelopes/user/year Varies Varies Varies

Who Has Authority to Sign the Mediation Order

Presiding Judge

The judge or magistrate assigned to the case signs or enters the mediation order on the court docket, making it an official court directive. Parties should submit a proposed order to chambers or the clerk for the judge's review and signature.

Mediator

While the mediator typically does not sign the court's order as the issuing authority, the mediator signs any required mediator report or certificate of attendance, which is then filed with the clerk as directed by the order.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Mediation Order

Answers to common questions about execution, e-signing, filing, and what to do when issues arise with a Colorado mediation order.


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