Amicus Filings

The ACLU of Colorado sometimes participates in ongoing legal cases as “amicus curiae,” meaning “friend of the court.” An amicus curiae is not a party to a case but can assist the just resolution of a matter by submitting briefs that offer expertise, insight, or context relevant for a court to consider before making its ruling. The ACLU of Colorado participates as amicus curiae in matters implicating its mission to protect, defend and extend the civil rights and civil liberties of all people in Colorado. Below are some of the recent filings the ACLU of Colorado has submitted as amicus curiae.

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Niemeyer v. Colorado

On October 30, 2023, we filed an amicus brief calling for the Colorado Supreme Court to recognize that a person held at a police station for two hours, restrained with bags over her hands, interrogated, and not permitted to leave, is in police custody, no matter how police characterize the situat

November 3, 2023 Criminal Legal Reform

Sellers v. CO

We filed an amicus brief calling for an end to mandatory life without parole sentences for people convicted of felony murder.

September 11, 2023 Criminal Legal Reform

Griffith v. El Paso County, et al.

While in the El Paso County Jail, Darlene was excluded from housing with other women inmates, denied women’s undergarments and grooming products, mocked with improper pronouns, and subjected to a strip search by an unsupervised male guard.

August 28, 2023 LGBTQ+ Equality