Utah court operations in Garfield and Piute counties are temporarily suspended until further notice due to the impacts of the Cottonwood Fire. Sixth District Presiding Judge Mandy Larsen ordered the closures pursuant to UCJA Rule 4-410 (6)(A) after both county court facilities lost electrical power as a result of the wildfire.
Causes for Court Closures
In addition to the power outages, Garfield County is currently without internet access. The courts are also facing limited staffing and unreliable access to essential court systems, which prevents normal operations from being carried out.
Prioritizing Public and Staff Safety
The temporary closures were deemed necessary to ensure the safety of the public and court personnel, as the affected facilities cannot support essential functions at this time.
Uncertainty Regarding Resumption Date
It is currently unknown when court operations will resume, and the duration of the closures cannot yet be determined. The Utah Judiciary stated they will provide updates as more information becomes available.
Instructions for Public Inquiries
Members of the public with questions regarding court business or hearings in Piute or Garfield counties should monitor court announcements or contact the Sixth District Court once operations have resumed.
