Ouray County, Colorado

Which bankruptcy court hears a case from Ouray County?

Your case goes to the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Colorado. Colorado constitutes one judicial district, administered from the single clerk's office and divisional seat at Denver, and cases are assigned to judges by random selection district-wide rather than by county. Grand Junction and Pueblo are statutory places for holding court — hearing locations — not separate divisions that claim counties. So there is no "Ouray County division": the district-level rules and orders described below are what apply to you.

Venue is a separate question from where you live today. Under 28 U.S.C. § 1408, a case may be commenced in the district where your domicile, residence, principal place of business in the United States, or principal assets in the United States have been located for the 180 days immediately before filing, or for a longer portion of that period than in any other district. A recent move across a state line, or a business based elsewhere, can change which district is correct — residence alone is not the whole rule.

• District: District of Colorado, administered from Denver
• Judge assignment: random selection district-wide, not county-based
• Venue test: the greater part of the 180 days before filing (28 U.S.C. § 1408)

What does this court require of someone filing without a lawyer?

The District of Colorado publishes a Guide for Debtors Filing Bankruptcy Without an Attorney, and it states plainly that any reference in the Colorado Local Bankruptcy Rules to "attorney" applies to you if you are filing on your own. The court also says bankruptcy is a complex process and recommends retaining an attorney, while listing free and lower-cost options based on income and assets.

Two local mechanisms exist specifically for self-represented filers. Under General Procedure Order 2025-01, the court's Electronic Self Representation (eSR) module is authorized exclusively for self-represented individual debtors preparing voluntary Chapter 7 petitions. Submitting a package through eSR does not itself commence a case — the court opens the case only after it receives hand-signed originals of the eSR Signature and Declaration Form and Official Form B121. Separately, General Procedure Order 2026-01 lets unrepresented individual debtors, creditors and adversary parties request permission to file electronically through CM/ECF by filing the Self-represented E-Filing Application; joint debtors must both apply.

• Local rules that say "attorney" apply to you when you file on your own
• eSR prepares a Chapter 7 package; the case opens only on receipt of signed originals
• Unrepresented parties may apply for CM/ECF e-filing privileges, which the court can revoke for non-compliance

How does the meeting of creditors work in this district?

Section 341 requires the United States trustee to convene and preside at a meeting of creditors within a reasonable time after the order for relief, and the court may not preside at or attend it. Before the meeting ends, the trustee examines a Chapter 7 debtor to confirm they understand the consequences of seeking a discharge, the option of a different chapter, the effect of a discharge, and the effect of reaffirming a debt.

The District of Colorado states that the meeting is a hearing all debtors must attend, that it is held outside the judge's presence, and that depending on the chapter it usually occurs between 21 and 50 days after the petition is filed. In Chapter 7, 12 and 13 cases the assigned trustee conducts it; in Chapter 11 a representative of the United States Trustee does. The court further states that all § 341 meetings of creditors are held by Zoom for Chapter 7, 12 and 13 cases, and that debtors, counsel, creditors and parties in interest should not appear in person.

• Held by Zoom in Chapter 7, 12 and 13 cases — no in-person appearance
• Usually 21 to 50 days after filing, depending on the chapter
• The trustee conducts it; the bankruptcy judge does not attend

What local rules and orders change the process here?

Several District of Colorado rules shape the mechanics of a consumer case. L.B.R. 2003-1 governs continuing a § 341 meeting: a request before the scheduled date must be in writing and served on the appointed trustee, must reach the trustee no later than seven days before the meeting, and is approved by the trustee rather than the court — so it is not filed with the court. If the trustee consents, you must immediately file a notice of continued meeting, serve it on the trustee, all creditors and parties in interest, and file a certificate of service. A continuance does not automatically extend the deadlines to object to discharge or dischargeability.

L.B.R. 1007-6 requires the debtor to file the required payment advices or other evidence of payment, or a statement in substantial conformity with the local form. L.B.R. 9011-4 requires every filed document to carry your name, address, telephone number, email address, and bar number if applicable, below the signature line, with prompt notice of any change.

• L.B.R. 2003-1 — trustee, not the court, approves a pre-meeting continuance; seven days' notice
• L.B.R. 1007-6 — payment advices or the local statement must be filed
• L.B.R. 9011-4 — contact information below your signature; update it promptly
• Administrative Order 2020-3 — the Federal Pro Se Clinic may provide short-term limited legal services to self-represented litigants before this court

What are the filing fees, and what if you cannot pay them?

The Chapter 7 filing fee is $245 (28 U.S.C. § 1930(a)(1)(A), (f)(1)), with an additional $78 administrative fee and a $15 trustee payment collected at filing (Bankruptcy Court Miscellaneous Fee Schedule, Items 8 and 9). The Chapter 13 filing fee is $235 (28 U.S.C. § 1930(a)(1)(B)), with the same $78 administrative fee.

The District of Colorado requires every voluntary petition to be accompanied by one of three things: full payment, an application to pay in installments (Official Form 103A), or — for Chapter 7 only — an application to have the fee waived (Official Form 103B). GPO 2014-4(a) states that paper petitions deficient as to all three are returned and no case is opened, and that an electronically filed case will be dismissed if the supporting documents or fee are not filed the same day. Under L.B.R. 1006-1, a waiver application must include pay advices or the local statement plus completed Schedules I and J, and any waiver order is conditional and subject to further investigation. The court's fee-waiver page states the standard: income under 150 percent of the official poverty line for your family size, and inability to pay in installments.

Which Colorado questions should you settle before filing?

Two sets of questions tend to decide how a Colorado case actually feels, and both should be settled before you sign a petition.

The first is procedural and this court is emphatic about it. Its official warning states that credit counseling must be completed before you file, and that if you have not completed counseling ending on the date your petition is filed — and do not meet the requirements for an extension — your case will be dismissed and you will not receive a discharge of your debts. The court adds that most debtors will not meet those narrow conditions because counseling is readily available in this district. Section 521(b) requires you to file the counseling certificate and any debt repayment plan developed through the approved agency.

The second set is about your property: which exemption list applies to you, how a homestead claim works, and how much of your wages a creditor can reach. Those are Colorado questions, and this page cannot answer them from the sources supplied here — the pages linked below cover them.

Where can an Ouray County resident get help?

The court publishes several starting points. Its Guide for Debtors Filing Bankruptcy Without an Attorney names the Colorado Bar Association's Pro Se Bankruptcy Clinic, which gives limited scope legal advice by phone or video appointment to individuals without lawyers, counseling on eligibility, drafting petitions and schedules, court procedures and preparation for meetings of creditors. The guide also lists Colorado Legal Services, Metro Volunteer Lawyers, Southwest Bar Volunteer Legal Aid and Weld County Legal Services as free or lower-cost options depending on income and assets, and notes more resources through the Colorado Bar Association.

Two cautions come from the court itself. Court staff are prohibited from providing advice to parties about their rights in a case. And non-attorney bankruptcy petition preparers are barred by law from giving legal advice — they cannot explain how to answer legal questions or assist in court proceedings — and must sign and disclose their work; the court maintains a published list of preparers barred in this district.

If you would rather talk it through, Arthur can walk you through your situation and build a roadmap, and where a participating local firm is available you can ask for an introduction.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to travel to Denver to file or to attend my meeting of creditors?

Not for the § 341 meeting. The District of Colorado states that all § 341 meetings of creditors in Chapter 7, 12 and 13 cases are held by Zoom, and that debtors, counsel and creditors should not appear in person. For filing, the court permits unrepresented parties to file in person, by mail, or electronically if they are granted CM/ECF privileges under GPO 2026-01.

Does Ouray County get assigned to a particular judge or courthouse?

No. Colorado constitutes one judicial district and cases are assigned to judges by random selection district-wide, not by county. Grand Junction and Pueblo are statutory places for holding court rather than county-assigning divisions, so the district-level local rules and general procedure orders are what govern an Ouray County case.

What happens if I skip credit counseling before filing?

The court's official warning states that if you have not completed the required counseling ending on the date your petition is filed, and do not meet the requirements for an extension, your case will be dismissed and you will not receive a discharge. It also notes that in some cases you may not be allowed to file another case for 180 days. Section 521(b) requires filing the certificate from the approved agency.

Can I pay the filing fee over time?

An individual debtor may apply to pay the filing fee in installments using Official Form 103A, and the District of Colorado's local rule and GPO 2014-4(a) describe that procedure. The court's order also notes the clerk may deny an installment application where official records show a prior case in this district that was dismissed with fees unpaid. Confirm current amounts and timing on the court's fees page.

Can a non-attorney petition preparer handle my case?

A petition preparer can type information onto bankruptcy forms, but the District of Colorado states they are barred by law from providing legal advice — they cannot explain how to answer legal questions or assist in bankruptcy court proceedings. They must sign documents they prepare, print their identifying information, and furnish copies to you, and they cannot receive payment from you for court fees.

How long will the bankruptcy stay on my credit report?

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, a consumer reporting agency generally may not include a case under title 11 that antedates the report by more than 10 years from the date of entry of the order for relief. The statute also requires an agency reporting a title 11 case to identify the chapter when the source of the information provides it.

Sources

• 28 U.S.C. § 85: "Colorado constitutes one judicial district." The District of Colorado is a single, undivided district administered from the sole clerk's office/divisional seat at Denver; cases are assigned to judges by random selection district-wide (L.B.R. 1073-1, "Cases are assigned to judges by random selection to the extent possible"), not by county. Grand Junction and Pueblo are statutory places for holding court (hearing locations) only, not county-assigning divisions.
• 28 U.S.C. § 1408 — Venue of cases under title 11
• 11 U.S.C. § 341 — Meetings of creditors and equity security holders · official source
• 11 U.S.C. § 521 — Debtor's duties · official source
• 15 U.S.C. § 1681c — Requirements relating to information contained in consumer reports
• COB official page — 341 Meetings of Creditors by Zoom
• COB official material — Guide for Debtors Filing Bankruptcy Without an Attorney
• COB official material — Credit Counseling is required BEFORE you file for Bankruptcy
• COB GPO 2025-1
• COB GPO 2026-1
• COB GPO 2014-4(a)
• COB Administrative Order of the Chief Judge 2020-3
• D. Colo. L.B.R. 2003-1
• D. Colo. L.B.R. 1006-1
• D. Colo. L.B.R. 1007-6
• D. Colo. L.B.R. 9011-4
• COB official page — Chapter 7 Fee Waivers
• COB official page — Fees
• COB official page — Bankruptcy Petition Preparers
• COB official page — Filing Without an Attorney

Related

• Build your personalised roadmap
• Find your local bankruptcy court
• The 341 Meeting of Creditors: What Actually Happens
• Continuance in Bankruptcy: Moving a Meeting or Hearing
• Bankruptcy tools and screeners
• Statutes and rules library

What it costs to file here

Chapter 7 — total court charges at filing

$338

28 U.S.C. § 1930(a)(1)(A), (f)(1); Bankruptcy Court Miscellaneous Fee Schedule, Item 8; Bankruptcy Court Miscellaneous Fee Schedule, Item 9

Chapter 13 — total court charges at filing

$313

28 U.S.C. § 1930(a)(1)(B); Bankruptcy Court Miscellaneous Fee Schedule, Item 8

Court charges only. What a lawyer charges is separate and varies by district and by case. Estimate the full cost →

Colorado median income

Median annual income, household of one

$87,940

USTP Median Family Income (2026-07-15 period)

The means test compares household income to the published median for the same household size. Being above it is not a bar to filing. Compare your household →