Skip to content
LitigationForms
JDF 1915

i Opening Brief Instructions (Family & Civil Appeals)

Colorado · Colorado Judicial Branch · Effective June 1, 2023

This form provides instructions for filing an Opening Brief, which is a document where the Appellant explains what they believe the District Court did wrong and what they want the Court of Appeals to do to fix the case. It details the required sections and formatting rules for the brief.

Open the official PDFfrom Colorado Judicial Branch

Where this fits in a case

Appeal

Stage: Appeal

This form is used by the Appellant when filing an appeal to the Court of Appeals after a decision was made in the District Court.

Usually filed by the person starting the case.

Common questions

Who should file this form?
The instructions state that the Appellant is the person who files the appeal and is responsible for creating the Opening Brief.
What is the deadline for filing this brief?
The brief is due within 42 days (6 weeks) after the Record on Appeal is certified.
What must the brief include?
The required sections include a Table of Contents, Table of Authorities, Issues on Appeal, Statement of the Case, Argument Summary, and Argument, followed by a Conclusion.

Revision history

No changes recorded since we started tracking this form on October 10, 2026. The current version took effect June 1, 2023.

Related forms

  • Form 4

    Notice of Appeal (County Civil)

    This form is a Notice of Appeal used to officially tell the court that a case is being appealed. It is filed to start the process of taking a case from a County Court to a District Court.

    Fillable PDF
  • Form 5

    Designation of Transcripts (County Civil Appeal)

    This form is used to tell the court which official records, or transcripts, need to be included in an appeal case. It asks the filer to list specific events and dates for the transcripts.

    Fillable PDF
  • JDF126

    Instructions to File a Small Claims or County Civil Appeal

    This document provides instructions for filing an appeal for a civil case or a small claims case in a county court. It explains that an appeal asks a higher court to review the case based on law, and it details the required forms and steps for filing.

    Fillable PDF
  • JDF 15 SC

    Notice of Appeal (Bypass Parental Notification)

    This form is a Notice of Appeal used by a minor to ask a higher court to review a decision from a lower court. Specifically, it asks the court to grant permission for the minor to have an abortion without telling their parent, guardian, or foster parent.

  • JDF 1910

    Appeal Guide (Family & District Civil)

    This guide explains the steps for appealing a decision in District Civil, Probate, or Family cases. It outlines a multi-step process that includes filing notices, designating transcripts, and submitting written arguments to the Court of Appeals.

    Fillable PDF
  • JDF 1910.1

    Appeal Guide (Parentage & Support Enforcement)

    This guide explains the steps for appealing decisions made in Parentage and Child Support Enforcement cases. It outlines a multi-step process that involves filing notices, designating transcripts, and submitting written arguments to the Court of Appeals.

    Fillable PDF
  • JDF 1910.2

    Appeal Guide (Adoption & Relinquishment)

    This guide explains the steps for appealing a decision made in an adoption or relinquishment case. It outlines a multi-step process that involves filing notices, designating records, and submitting written arguments to the Court of Appeals.

  • JDF 1911

    i Notice of Appeal Instructions (Family, District Civil, & Probate)

    This form is a set of instructions for filing a Notice of Appeal, which starts the process of asking a higher court to review a case decision. It asks for details about the case, the final order, and any issues the person believes were wrong in the original decision.

    Fillable PDF