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Summary of Hearing Procedures - Public Benefits Cases

Before Your Hearing

  • How to Join: Most hearings happen virtually through Google Meet. The Notice of Hearing will contain a link and an option to dial into the hearing. Please join 5 minutes before your scheduled time. You may have to wait briefly for the judge to join and admit you to the virtual hearing. Please see Technical Guide for Google Meet hearings for more information on using Google Meet.
  • Requesting an In-Person Hearing: If you'd rather have an in-person hearing instead of a virtual one, you must tell the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) well before your hearing date. Remember to send a copy of this request to the other party.
  • Submitting Documents: If you want the ALJ to consider your documents, you need to send them in advance. Mail, email, fax, or e-file clear copies (not originals) to the ALJ and the other party. Any document you submit that is admitted as evidence will remain in the case file.
  • Witnesses: If you plan to have witnesses, make sure they are available and ready before the hearing begins.

During Your Hearing

  • Presenting Your Case: The ALJ will typically ask the County or State Department to go first. Once they are finished, then you will present your evidence, which can include your own testimony, witness testimony and documents.
  • Questioning Witnesses: The person who calls a witness will ask them questions first. Then the opposing party will have a chance to ask the witness questions (cross-examination). During cross-examination, you can only ask questions-you aren't allowed to make statements. The ALJ might also ask questions.
  • Your Testimony: If you wish to testify, the ALJ will place you under oath then you can make statements about your case. The opposing party will have the chance to cross-examine you and the LAJ may also ask you questions. 

What Happens Next

  • Decision Timing: In most cases, the judge won't tell you the decision the day of the hearing. The judge needs time to review the evidence and issue a written decision. For most public assistance cases, the ALJ will issue a written decision within 20 days of the date of the hearing. However, our office cannot send the decision directly to you. Instead, we send the ALJ's decision to the Office of Appeals at the Department of Healthcare Policy and Financing (HCPF) or the Department of Human Services (DHS), depending on the type of benefits involved in the case. The Office of Appeals is responsible for sending the decision to you. 

For More Information

  • Online Resources: For a more detailed guide to hearing procedures, visit our website: http://www.colorado.gov/dpa/oac. Look for "The Non-Lawyers' Guide" and the "General Procedures". You'll also find the specific rules that apply to your case.
  • Contact Us:
    • Address:  Office of Administrative Courts, 1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver, Co 80203
    • Phone: (303) 866-2000 or (303) 866-5626
    • Email:  oac-gs@state.co.us