The Colorado Conflict Clinic through OvalOptions will be closing as of December 31, 2023. We are actively exploring the possibility of a non-profit organization taking over the Clinic program and continuing this valuable service in the future.
We extend our deepest gratitude to all participants, volunteers, and supporters, and will update this space with contact information for the new organization once it becomes available.
Colorado Conflict Clinic -
County Court
OvalOptions’ Colorado Conflict Clinic provides online, fixed-fee mediation services for disputes that have been or could be filed in county courts throughout Colorado.
You have a conflict that seems like it will only be able to be resolved via a court process. You filed a claim (or want to file a claim) in your local county court only to find that there is such a huge backlog that your court date is set (or will be set) far into the future. But you want your dispute resolved as quickly and thoroughly as possible so you can move forward with your life! The Colorado Conflict Clinic’s online mediation service is a resource that can help you resolve your dispute confidentially, safely, and efficiently.
Fill out the form below or call us!
Types of Cases • Is OvalOptions Conflict Clinic Right For Me? • What Are The Benefits? • FAQs
What types of county court cases does OvalOptions’ Colorado Conflict Clinic mediate online?
The Colorado Conflict Clinic provides online, fixed-fee mediation services for civil claims throughout Colorado that do not exceed the court filing limit of $25,000.
This includes, but is not limited to,
landlord-tenant (pre-filing or damages only)
collections
contracts
neighbor disputes.
Your case does not need to be filed in court for you to use mediation. Consider trying mediation before paying costly court fees.
OvalOptions also provides online mediation services for other dispute types under different parameters. Please click on the links for more information:
Small Claims Cases (civil claims that do not exceed the filing limit of $7,500)
District Court Cases (civil claims)
Domestic Relations Cases (including dissolution of marriage (divorce), allocation of parental time and responsibilities (custody), and child support).
For information regarding OvalOptions’ dispute resolution services for other types of disputes, please click here.
Is OvalOptions’ Colorado Conflict Clinic right for me?
Mediation is a voluntary alternative to resolving a dispute outside of court. This means all parties must agree to participate in mediation to use the Colorado Conflict Clinic’s online mediation services.
If you already have a court order for mediation, the Colorado Conflict Clinic is a low-cost option for satisfying that order.
The parties pay a fixed administrative fee of $59/party. Mediations are scheduled for 2 hours but typically end in less than an hour. This fee must be paid in advance of the mediation.
To keep the costs of mediation low, the Colorado Conflict Clinic’s online mediation services are staffed by volunteer mediators. These volunteer mediators are trained, background checked, provided administrative support, and experienced in mediation. All parties must consent to the use of a volunteer mediator and acknowledge that they cannot choose a specific mediator.
The Colorado Conflict Clinic uses an online platform. Ideally, the parties will each have a reliable smartphone or computer, a high-speed internet connection, and scanning/printing capabilities. However, we can provide phone mediation options as well. In any case, the parties must have a quiet, private place with no distractions where they can participate in the mediation.
What are the benefits of using OvalOptions’ Colorado Conflict Clinic?
Convenience: Online mediation allows parties access to mediation regardless of their location and current social-distancing requirements.
Flexible Scheduling: Mediations can be scheduled on both weekdays and weekends, during daytime and evening hours.
Quicker Outcomes: Mediations can almost always be scheduled prior to your court date.
Confidential: Mediation provides an avenue for parties to resolve their disputes privately in compliance with Colorado law.
Maintain Control: Mediation provides parties an opportunity to develop creative solutions and maintain control of the outcome of their disputes.
Screened Mediators: Our trained volunteer mediators are background checked, have administrative support, and are experienced in the mediation of small claims court cases.
Statewide Availability: Because the Colorado Conflict Clinic offers online mediation services, our mediators can mediate cases throughout Colorado regardless of the location of the parties. This includes, but is not limited to, disputes in Denver, El Paso, Arapahoe, Adams, Larimer, Douglas, and Boulder counties.
Low Cost: Because the Colorado Conflict Clinic’s online mediation services for small claims court cases are staffed by trained volunteer mediators, the parties pay a low administrative fee for the mediation.
Savings: Mediation can save the parties time, money, and the emotional and business costs of waiting for a full resolution of their case in court.
No traffic, parking hassles, or unnecessary public contact!
FAQs
Will my case qualify for the Colorado Conflict Clinic?
Your case will need to be evaluated to see if it qualifies. There are many reasons why mediation, and specifically the Colorado Conflict Clinic, may not be the most appropriate resource, and we reserve the right to refuse any case for any reason.
How do I know if there are any delays or restrictions in the court system related to my case?
You can check the court website for specific information for the court/jurisdiction where your case is pending.
What if I have a court date set already?
You can always mediate a case and then provide any agreements that come out of the mediation to the court to become an order of the court. Important Note: An agreement in mediation does not automatically resolve your court case! You must contact the court directly for specific information and the next steps regarding anything related to your pending court case and how to file your agreement with the court.
What if I have an attorney? Can I still mediate my case?
Yes! Attorneys may participate in the mediation but are not required to be present.
What if I’m sick or concerned I might be getting sick (or i’m concerned about the other party’s health)?
The Colorado Conflict Clinic facilitates mediations/settlement conferences online. This allows all parties to participate while remaining physically separate.
What if I haven’t filed my case yet?
Your case does not have to be filed in court for you to use mediation. You may try mediation before paying court fees.
What technology requirements are there for participating in the Colorado Conflict Clinic’s online mediations?
To participate via our online platform, you must have a reliable smartphone or computer, a high-speed internet connection, and scanning/printing capabilities. To participate via phone, you must have a reliable phone connection with which you may call into the mediation. In both cases, you must have a quiet, private place with no distractions where you can participate in the mediation.
If you are interested in participating in Colorado Conflict Clinic’s fixed fee, online mediation services for county court cases, please fill out the form below.