Case: Murphy v. Lamborn

1:21-cv-00071 | U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado

Filed Date: Jan. 11, 2021

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

This case challenged a Colorado Congressman's eligibility and power to remain in office after allegedly engaging, aiding, and comforting an armed insurrection in the House Chamber at the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021. On January 11, 2021, plaintiff, a private citizen-resident of Colorado filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado against the Congressman for the U.S. HouseRepresentative for Colorado’s Fifth District. Plaintiff alleged an unconst…

This case challenged a Colorado Congressman's eligibility and power to remain in office after allegedly engaging, aiding, and comforting an armed insurrection in the House Chamber at the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021.

On January 11, 2021, plaintiff, a private citizen-resident of Colorado filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado against the Congressman for the U.S. House
Representative for Colorado’s Fifth District. Plaintiff alleged an unconstitutional abridgement of his constitutional rights, specifically the First, Fourth, Fifth, and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution. Murphy as a pro se plaintiff sought declaratory and injunctive relief, specifically a permanent injunction directing defendant to cease and desist from continuing to be a representative in Congress. The case was assigned to Judge Raymond P. Moore and drawn to Magistrate Judge Kathleen M. Tafoya.

On June 11, 2021, defendant filed a motion to dismiss for lack of subject matter jurisdiction and failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted.

On February 15, 2022, Judge Raymond P. Moore issued an order that accepted and adopted Magistrate Judge Tafoya’s recommendation and granted the motion to dismiss. 

On March 16, 2022, plaintiff filed a notice of appeal (Case No. 22-1079). Plaintiff alleged that the Court abused its discretion by adopting the Magistrate Judge Tafoya’s recommendation, allowing Magistrate Judge Tafoya to conduct all proceedings, including trial, allowing the order of a final judgment, and ordering the Clerk of the Court to prematurely close the case.

As of April 2024, there has been no activity to the case. The case is ongoing.

Summary Authors

Leilani Argersinger (4/10/2024)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/29099900/parties/murphy-v-lamborn/


Judge(s)

Moore, Raymond Paul (Colorado)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Murphy, Marcus Allen (Colorado)

Attorney for Defendant

Clouse, Sarah E. (Colorado)

Hanner, Brooks M. (Colorado)

Letter, Douglas N. (Colorado)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

1:21-cv-00071

Civil-Complaint of Insurrection & Rebellion for Declaratory & Injunctive Relief

Jan. 11, 2021

Jan. 11, 2021

Complaint
20

1:21-cv-00071

Motion to Dismiss of Defendant The Honorable Douglas Lamborn

June 11, 2021

June 11, 2021

Pleading / Motion / Brief
27

1:21-cv-00071

Order

Feb. 15, 2022

Feb. 15, 2022

Order/Opinion

2022 WL 252322

28

1:21-cv-00071

Final Judgment

Feb. 15, 2022

Feb. 15, 2022

Order/Opinion
29

1:21-cv-00071

Plaintiff-Murphy's Notice of Appeal

March 16, 2022

March 16, 2022

Pleading / Motion / Brief
34

1:21-cv-00071

Appellant's Opening-Brief

May 22, 2022

May 22, 2022

Pleading / Motion / Brief

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/29099900/murphy-v-lamborn/

Last updated Aug. 9, 2025, 10:08 p.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT 1:21-cv-00071 against Douglas Lamborn (Filing fee $ 402,Receipt Number 1082-7664912)Attorney Marcus Allen Murphy added to party Marcus A. Murphy(pty:pla), filed by Marcus A. Murphy. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet JS44)(Murphy, Marcus) (Entered: 01/11/2021)

1 Civil Cover Sheet JS44

View on RECAP

Jan. 11, 2021

Jan. 11, 2021

Clearinghouse
2

Case assigned to Judge Raymond P. Moore and drawn to Magistrate Judge Kathleen M. Tafoya. Text Only Entry. (alave, ) (Entered: 01/11/2021)

Jan. 11, 2021

Jan. 11, 2021

PACER
3

Magistrate Judge consent form issued pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 636(c). NO SUMMONS ISSUED. (alave, ) (Entered: 01/11/2021)

Jan. 11, 2021

Jan. 11, 2021

PACER
4

ORDER REFERRING CASE to Magistrate Judge Kathleen M. Tafoya. Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(A) and (B) and Fed. R. Civ. P. 72(a) and (b), this case is referred to the assigned United States Magistrate Judge to (1) convene a scheduling conference under Fed. R. Civ. P. 16(b) and enter a scheduling order meeting the requirements of D.C.COLO.LCivR 16.2, (2) conduct such status conferences and issue such orders necessary for compliance with the scheduling order, including amendments or modifications of the scheduling order upon a showing of good cause, (3) hear and determine pretrial matters, including discovery and other non-dispositive motions, (4) conduct a pretrial conference and enter a pretrial order, and (5) conduct hearings, including evidentiary hearings, and submit proposed findings of fact and recommendations for rulings on dispositive motions. Court sponsored alternative dispute resolution is governed by D.C.COLO.LCivR 16.6. On the recommendation or informal request of the magistrate judge or on the request of the parties by motion, this court may direct the parties to engage in an early neutral evaluation, a settlement conference, or another alternative dispute resolution proceeding. By Judge Raymond P. Moore on 1/12/2021. (Text Only Entry) (rmsec ) (Entered: 01/12/2021)

Jan. 12, 2021

Jan. 12, 2021

PACER
5

MINUTE ORDER: With the assignment of this matter, the parties are advised that throughout this case they are expected to be familiar and comply with not only the Local Rules of this District, but also Judge Raymond P. Moore's Civil Practice Standards, which may be found at: http://www.cod.uscourts.gov/JudicialOfficers/ActiveArticleIIIJudges/HonRaymondPMoore.aspx. By Judge Raymond P. Moore on 1/12/2021. (Text Only Entry) (rmsec ) (Entered: 01/12/2021)

Jan. 12, 2021

Jan. 12, 2021

PACER

Order Referring Case to Magistrate Judge

Jan. 12, 2021

Jan. 12, 2021

PACER

Minute Order

Jan. 12, 2021

Jan. 12, 2021

PACER
6

SUMMONS REQUEST by Plaintiff Marcus A. Murphy. (rvill, ) (Entered: 01/21/2021)

Jan. 21, 2021

Jan. 21, 2021

PACER
7

ADVISORY NOTICE OF NONCOMPLIANCE WITH COURT RULES/PROCEDURES re: 6 Summons Request mailed in by attorney Marcus Allen Murphy. The document was not filed electronically. DO NOT REFILE THE DOCUMENT. Action to take - future documents must be filed pursuant to D.C.COLO.LCivR 5.1(a) and 4.1(a) of the Electronic Case Filing Procedures (Civil cases). (Text Only Entry) (rvill, ) (Entered: 01/21/2021)

Jan. 21, 2021

Jan. 21, 2021

PACER
8

SUMMONS issued by Clerk. (rvill, ) (Entered: 01/21/2021)

Jan. 21, 2021

Jan. 21, 2021

PACER
9

Summons Returned Unexecuted by Marcus A. Murphy as to Douglas L. Lamborn. (Attachments: # 1 Continuation of Main Document Second-Page, # 2 Receipt Invoice-Receipt, # 3 Receipt Certified-Mail Receipt (DC), # 4 Receipt Certified-Mail Receipt (C/S))(Murphy, Marcus) (Entered: 03/07/2021)

1 Continuation of Main Document Second-Page

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2 Receipt Invoice-Receipt

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3 Receipt Certified-Mail Receipt (DC)

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4 Receipt Certified-Mail Receipt (C/S)

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March 7, 2021

March 7, 2021

PACER
10

DISCHARGED ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE: returnable by Plaintiff why his claims against Defendant Douglas Doug L. Lamborn should not be dismissed, without prejudice, pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(m), for lack of service. Show Cause Response due by 5/7/2021, by Magistrate Judge Kathleen M. Tafoya on 4/23/2021. (jgonz, ) Modified on 6/16/2021 per Minute Order #21 (jgonz, ). (Entered: 04/23/2021)

April 23, 2021

April 23, 2021

PACER
11

Summons Returned Unexecuted by Marcus A. Murphy as to Douglas L. Lamborn. (Attachments: # 1 Continuation of Main Document Second-Page, # 2 Receipt Invoice-Receipt, # 3 Receipt Certified-Mail Receipt (DOJ-C/S), # 4 Receipt Certified-Mail Receipt (DOJ-DC))(Murphy, Marcus) (Entered: 05/04/2021)

1 Continuation of Main Document Second-Page

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2 Receipt Invoice-Receipt

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3 Receipt Certified-Mail Receipt (DOJ-C/S)

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4 Receipt Certified-Mail Receipt (DOJ-DC)

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May 4, 2021

May 4, 2021

PACER
12

CONSENT to Jurisdiction of Magistrate Judge by Plaintiff Marcus A. Murphy All parties do not consent.. (Attachments: # 1 Continuation of Main Document Second-Page)(Murphy, Marcus) (Entered: 05/04/2021)

1 Continuation of Main Document Second-Page

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May 4, 2021

May 4, 2021

PACER
13

NOTICE of Entry of Appearance by Marcus Allen Murphy on behalf of Marcus A. Murphy (Attachments: # 1 Continuation of Main Document Second-Page)(Murphy, Marcus) (Entered: 05/04/2021)

1 Continuation of Main Document Second-Page

View on PACER

May 4, 2021

May 4, 2021

PACER
14

RESPONSE TO ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE re 10 by Plaintiff Marcus A. Murphy. (Murphy, Marcus) (Entered: 05/04/2021)

May 4, 2021

May 4, 2021

PACER
15

ADVISORY NOTICE OF NONCOMPLIANCE WITH COURT RULES/PROCEDURES re: 13 Notice of Entry of Appearance filed by attorney Marcus Allen Murphy. Attorney has used an incorrect signature format in violation of D.C.COLO.LCivR 5.1(a) and 4.3(a) of the Electronic Case Filing Procedures (Civil cases). DO NOT REFILE THE DOCUMENT. In the future, the filer must affix an electronic s/ signature and s/ followed by a typed, not an inked, signature to all future documents. (Text Only Entry) (rvill, ) (Entered: 05/06/2021)

May 6, 2021

May 6, 2021

PACER
16

NOTICE of Entry of Appearance by Douglas N. Letter on behalf of Douglas L. LambornAttorney Douglas N. Letter added to party Douglas L. Lamborn(pty:dft) (Letter, Douglas) (Entered: 06/11/2021)

June 11, 2021

June 11, 2021

PACER
17

NOTICE of Entry of Appearance by Todd B. Tatelman on behalf of Douglas L. LambornAttorney Todd B. Tatelman added to party Douglas L. Lamborn(pty:dft) (Tatelman, Todd) (Entered: 06/11/2021)

June 11, 2021

June 11, 2021

PACER
18

NOTICE of Entry of Appearance by Brooks M. Hanner on behalf of Douglas L. LambornAttorney Brooks M. Hanner added to party Douglas L. Lamborn(pty:dft) (Hanner, Brooks) (Entered: 06/11/2021)

June 11, 2021

June 11, 2021

PACER
19

NOTICE of Entry of Appearance by Sarah E. Clouse on behalf of Douglas L. LambornAttorney Sarah E. Clouse added to party Douglas L. Lamborn(pty:dft) (Clouse, Sarah) (Entered: 06/11/2021)

June 11, 2021

June 11, 2021

PACER
20

MOTION to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction, MOTION to Dismiss for Failure to State a Claim by Defendant Douglas L. Lamborn. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order (PDF Only))(Letter, Douglas) (Entered: 06/11/2021)

1 Proposed Order (PDF Only)

View on RECAP

June 11, 2021

June 11, 2021

Clearinghouse
21

MINUTE ORDER: The 10 Order to Show Cause is DISCHARGED. By Magistrate Judge Kathleen M. Tafoya on 6/16/21. Text Only Entry (kmtlc1 ) (Entered: 06/16/2021)

June 16, 2021

June 16, 2021

PACER

Order

June 16, 2021

June 16, 2021

PACER
22

RESPONSE to 20 MOTION to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction MOTION to Dismiss for Failure to State a Claim filed by Plaintiff Marcus A. Murphy. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Rep. Lofgren report, # 2 Exhibit House-Report on DOJ, # 3 Exhibit Senate-Report on Security, # 4 Exhibit Congressional-Record, # 5 Exhibit News-Article)(Murphy, Marcus) (Entered: 07/02/2021)

1 Exhibit Rep. Lofgren report

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2 Exhibit House-Report on DOJ

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3 Exhibit Senate-Report on Security

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4 Exhibit Congressional-Record

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5 Exhibit News-Article

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July 2, 2021

July 2, 2021

PACER
23

MEMORANDUM regarding 20 MOTION to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction MOTION to Dismiss for Failure to State a Claim filed by Douglas L. Lamborn. Motion referred to Magistrate Judge Kathleen M. Tafoya. By Judge Raymond P. Moore on 7/6/2021. (Text Only Entry) (rmsec ) (Entered: 07/06/2021)

July 6, 2021

July 6, 2021

PACER

Memorandum

July 6, 2021

July 6, 2021

PACER
24

REPLY to Response to 20 MOTION to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction MOTION to Dismiss for Failure to State a Claim filed by Defendant Douglas L. Lamborn. (Letter, Douglas) (Entered: 07/16/2021)

July 16, 2021

July 16, 2021

PACER
25

RECOMMENDATION OF UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE by Magistrate Judge Kathleen M. Tafoya on January 27, 2022. WHEREFORE, for the foregoing reasons, this court respectfully RECOMMENDS that the "Motion to Dismiss of Defendant the Honorable Douglas Lamborn" (Doc. No. 20 ) be GRANTED. (csarr, ) (Entered: 01/27/2022)

Jan. 27, 2022

Jan. 27, 2022

Clearinghouse
26

REASSIGNING MAGISTRATE JUDGE: Due to Magistrate Judge Tafoya's retirement, this case is reassigned to Magistrate Judge Nina Y. Wang as the referral judge. All future pleadings should reference Magistrate Judge Nina Y. Wang at the end of the civil action number (such as 21-cv-71-RM-NYW). Unless otherwise ordered, the dates and times for all scheduled matters will be maintained. (Text only entry). (angar, ) (Entered: 02/01/2022)

Feb. 1, 2022

Feb. 1, 2022

PACER
27

ORDER granting 20 Motion to Dismiss; adopting 25 Report and Recommendations. Entered by Judge Raymond P. Moore on 2/15/2022.(lrobe) (Entered: 02/15/2022)

Feb. 15, 2022

Feb. 15, 2022

Clearinghouse
28

FINAL JUDGMENT in favor of Douglas L. Lamborn and against Marcus A. Murphy pursuant to 27 Order. Entered by Clerk on 2/15/2022. (lrobe) (Entered: 02/15/2022)

Feb. 15, 2022

Feb. 15, 2022

Clearinghouse
29

NOTICE OF APPEAL as to 28 Judgment, 27 Order on Motion to Dismiss/Lack of Jurisdiction, Order on Report and Recommendations by Plaintiff Marcus A. Murphy (Filing fee $ 505, Receipt Number ACODC-8367205) (Murphy, Marcus) (Entered: 03/16/2022)

March 16, 2022

March 16, 2022

Clearinghouse
30

LETTER Transmitting Notice of Appeal to all counsel advising of the transmittal of the 29 Notice of Appeal filed by Marcus A. Murphy to the U.S. Court of Appeals. ( Retained Counsel, Fee paid,) (Attachments: # 1 Preliminary Record, # 2 Docket Sheet)(sdunb, ) (Entered: 03/17/2022)

1 Preliminary Record

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2 Docket Sheet

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March 17, 2022

March 17, 2022

PACER
31

USCA Case Number 22-1079 for 29 Notice of Appeal filed by Marcus A. Murphy. (sdunb, ) (Entered: 03/17/2022)

March 17, 2022

March 17, 2022

PACER
32

TRANSCRIPT ORDER FORM re 29 Notice of Appeal by Plaintiff Marcus A. Murphy (Murphy, Marcus) (Entered: 03/29/2022)

March 29, 2022

March 29, 2022

PACER
33

LETTER TO USCA and all counsel certifying the record is complete as to 29 Notice of Appeal filed by Marcus A. Murphy. A transcript order form was filed stating that a transcript is not necessary. ( Appeal No. 22-1079) Text Only Entry (sdunb, ) (Entered: 03/30/2022)

March 30, 2022

March 30, 2022

PACER
34

Appellant's OPENING BRIEF by Plaintiff Marcus A. Murphy (Murphy, Marcus) (Entered: 05/22/2022)

May 22, 2022

May 22, 2022

Clearinghouse
35

USCA ORDER as to 29 Notice of Appeal filed by Marcus A. Murphy : (USCA Case No. 22-1079) (This document is not the Mandate) (sdunb, ) (Entered: 06/14/2022)

June 14, 2022

June 14, 2022

PACER
36

MANDATE of USCA as to 35 USCA Order, 29 Notice of Appeal filed by Marcus A. Murphy : (USCA Case No. 22-1079) (sdunb, ) (Entered: 06/14/2022)

June 14, 2022

June 14, 2022

PACER

Case Details

State / Territory: Colorado

Case Type(s):

Election/Voting Rights

Special Collection(s):

Law Firm Antiracism Alliance (LFAA) project

Key Dates

Filing Date: Jan. 11, 2021

Case Ongoing: Perhaps, but long-dormant

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Pro se attorney plaintiff

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: Yes

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Doug Lamborn, Private Entity/Person

Doug Lamborn, Private Entity/Person

Doug Lamborn, Private Entity/Person

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

42 U.S.C. § 1985

Constitutional Clause(s):

Due Process

Freedom of speech/association

Fifteenth Amendment

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)

Any published opinion

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Nature of Relief:

None yet

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

Voting:

Voting: General & Misc.