Elbert County Courthouse Remains Closed for Further Testing

news Colorado Judicial Branch Mary J. Mullarkey, Chief Justice Gerald Marroney, State Court Administrator ______Sept. 29, 2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Karen Salaz 303/837-3633 1-800-888-0001 Ext. 633

Elbert County courthouse remains closed for further testing Temporary clerk’s office to open

The detection of mold contamination in the Elbert County Justice Center is necessitating that officials make alternative arrangements for meeting the needs of the community. Officials were advised on Sept. 27, 2004, to initially make 30-day plans to conduct business in alternative locations while additional testing could be conducted. “The county, district attorney, sheriff’s office, Kiowa officials and judicial department are collaborating on finding viable options to address the many aspects of business being impacted by the closure,” says Karen Salaz, office of the state court administrator. “This involves logistical details ranging from microwaving paper documents to kill contaminates to finding viable locations to hold court where security and prisoner transport issues can be addressed.” Please reference the following information if you need to conduct business through Oct. 8, 2004. Updated information will be distributed as it becomes available: 1. Beginning Sept. 30. 2004, a temporary court clerk’s office will be open to the public in an location near the district attorney’s office from 8:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. A clerk of the court will be available during these times. 2. Normal business including intake functions and the acceptance of pleadings and payment of fines will be conducted in the temporary clerk’s office. 3. To contact the court, please call 303-621-2131. If you wish to view files or documents, it is advised that you first call the temporary clerk’s office to allow the clerk time to get the documents. Also, if you have questions as to whether the services you need are available at the temporary office please call first. 4. An Elbert County court clerk will also be available in the Douglas County Justice Center to respond to public questions and inquiries for information from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Files for review will not be available in this location. 5. Proceedings set in Judge Sidel’s court for Sept. 29, Oct. 4 and Oct. 6 will be conducted at the Elbert County Fairgrounds Agricultural Building. 6. Judge Arkin’s court proceedings set from Oct. 18 -29, 2004, will be heard at the Douglas County Justice Center in Courtroom 4. 7. Probation business will be conducted out of the Douglas County Justice Center until further notice. Please call the main number with any questions. 303-814- 7170. 8. Judge King will hear all Elbert County district court matters scheduled for the week of Oct. 12 in Division 2 of the Douglas County Justice Center. Mold mitigation procedures will begin in the Justice Center on Sept. 29. The above arrangements will remain in place until other alternatives can be secured while extent of the contamination and recommended remediation can be determined.

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