ORDER

ROBERT E. BLACKBURN, District Judge.

This matter is before the court sua sponte. The parties have indicated their intent under D.C.COLO.LCivR 72.2(d) to consent to the jurisdiction of a magistrate judge under 28 U.S.C. § 636(c). (See Joint Case Management Plan ¶ 9 [#16],1 filed March 17, 2016.) To effectuate that consent, the parties must file the form required under Rule 72.2(d), entitled "Consent to the Exercise of Jurisdiction by a United States Magistrate Judge," a copy of which is attached to this Order.2 If the parties persist under Rule 72.2(d) in their consent to the jurisdiction of a magistrate judge under 28 U.S.C. § 636(c), they should complete and file the consent form attached to this Order.

THEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED as follows:

1. That by April 1, 2016, the parties may sign and file the attached form of consent; and

2. That on completion of pre-merits management, the court shall issue an appropriate order of reference directing the clerk of the court to assign this matter to a United States Magistrate Judge.

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLORADO

Instructions Regarding Notice of Availability of a United States Magistrate Judge to Exercise Jurisdiction Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(c), Fed. R. Civ. P. 73, and D.C.COLO.LCivR 72.2

Attached please find a copy of the United States District Court for the District of Colorado Local Rules of Practice 72.2 (D.C.COLO.LCivR 72.2), a Notice of Availability of a Magistrate Judge to Exercise Jurisdiction and Consent to the Exercise of Jurisdiction by a United States Magistrate Judge, and a proposed Order of Reference.

Pursuant to D.C.COLO.LCivR 72.2, it is the responsibility of the filing party to serve a copy of these instructions, D.C.COLO.LCivR 72.2, and the attached forms on the opposing party or parties and to file proof of such service with the court. The filing party is the plaintiff when an action is commenced by the filing of a complaint, the defendant when an action is commenced by the filing of a notice of removal, the third-party plaintiff when a third-party complaint is filed, or any party that adds an additional party to the civil action.

If ALL parties have consented to this exercise of jurisdiction please file the Notice and Consent and proposed Order of Reference. In accordance with D.C.COLO.LCivR 72.2(d), the Notice and Consent must be filed (1) seven days before the scheduling conference, if any; or (2) 45 days after the filing of the first response, other than an answer, to the operative complaint, whichever is earlier.

If any additional parties are added after the entry of an Order of Reference to the magistrate judge under 28 U.S.C. § 636(c), the party adding an additional party or parties MUST file with the clerk a document titled "Notice," which informs the clerk that an additional party has or parties have been added. The notice MUST provide the added party's address, or parties' addresses, so that the clerk can serve a copy of these instructions, D.C.COLO.LCivR 72.2, and attached forms upon the newly added party or parties in accordance with D.C.COLO.LCivR 72.2(f). This mailing will be completed promptly.

You are encouraged to serve the summons and complaint promptly so that the added party or parties will understand the reason for being sent the attached forms from the Clerk's Office.

D.C.COLO.LCivR 72.2

CONSENT JURISDICTION OF A MAGISTRATE JUDGE

(a) Designation. Under 28 U.S.C. § 636(c)(1) and subject to this rule, a full-time magistrate judge is designated specially to conduct any or all proceedings in any jury or nonjury civil action and order the entry of judgment in the case.

(b) Prohibition. No judicial officer, court official, or court employee may attempt to influence the granting or withholding of consent to the reference of any civil matter to a magistrate judge. The form of notice of right to consent to disposition by a magistrate judge shall make reference to the prohibition and shall identify the rights being waived.

(c) Notice. On the filing of any civil action, the clerk shall deliver to the plaintiff(s) written notice of the right of the parties to consent to disposition of the civil action by a magistrate judge under 28 U.S.C. § 636(c) and the provisions of this rule. A copy of the notice shall be attached to the summons and served on the defendant(s). A failure to serve a copy of such notice on a defendant shall not affect the validity of the service of process or personal jurisdiction over the defendant(s).

(d) Unanimous Consent; Determination. To consent to the jurisdiction of a magistrate judge under 28 U.S.C. § 636(c), all parties shall complete and file a Consent to the Exercise of Jurisdiction by a United States Magistrate Judge form HERE. Unless otherwise ordered by the assigned district judge, written consent to proceed before a magistrate judge must be filed no later 1) seven days before the scheduling conference, if any; or (2) 45 days after the filing of the first response, other than an answer, to the operative complaint, whichever is earlier. When there is such consent, the magistrate judge shall forthwith notify the assigned district judge, who will then determine whether to enter an order of reference under 28 U.S.C. § 636(c).

(e) Assignment. On entry of an order of reference under 28 U.S.C. § 636(c), the civil action shall be assigned to the magistrate judge currently assigned to the case.

(f) Additional Parties. Any party added to the action or served after reference to a magistrate judge under this rule shall be notified by the clerk of the right to consent to the exercise of jurisdiction by the magistrate judge under 28 U.S.C. § 636(c). If an added party does not file a consent to proceed before the magistrate judge within 21 days from the date of mailing of the notice, the action shall be returned to the assigned district judge for further proceedings.

(g) Vacating Reference. A reference of a civil matter to a magistrate judge may be vacated under 28 U.S.C. § 636(c)(4).

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLORADO

ORDER OF REFERENCE PURSUANT TO 28 U.S.C. § 636 (c)

Pursuant to D.C.COLO.LCivR 72.2, on the _______ day of _________________, _______, Magistrate Judge ____________________ notified the court of the parties' unanimous consent to disposition of the above action by a United States Magistrate Judge. Now, therefore, being sufficiently advised,

IT IS ORDERED as follows:

The above action is referred for disposition to the magistrate judge currently assigned to the case pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636 (c).

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLORADO

CONSENT TO THE EXERCISE OF JURISDICTION BY A UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

In accordance with the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636(c), Fed. R. Civ. P. 73, and D.C.COLO.LCivR 72.2, you are hereby notified that a United States magistrate judge of this district court is available to handle all dispositive matters in this civil action, including a jury or nonjury trial, and to order the entry of a final judgment. Exercise of this jurisdiction by a magistrate judge, however, is permitted only if all parties voluntarily consent and the district judge orders the reference to a magistrate judge under 28 U.S.C. § 636(c).

You may, without adverse substantive consequences, withhold your consent, but this will prevent the court's jurisdiction from being exercised by a magistrate judge. If any party withholds consent, the identity of the parties consenting or withholding consent will not be communicated to any magistrate judge or to the district judge to whom the case has been assigned.

Pursuant to D.C.COLO.LCivR 72.2, no district judge or magistrate judge, court official, or court employee may attempt to influence the granting or withholding of consent to the reference of any civil matter to a magistrate judge under this rule.

An appeal from a judgment entered by a magistrate judge shall be taken directly to the appropriate United States Court of Appeals in the same manner as an appeal from any other judgment of a district court.

If this civil action has been referred to a magistrate judge to handle certain nondispositive matters, that reference shall remain in effect. Upon entry of an order of reference pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(c), the civil action will be assigned to the magistrate judge then assigned to the case.

CONSENT TO THE EXERCISE OF JURISDICTION BY A UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

In accordance with the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636(c), Fed. R. Civ. P. 73, and D.C.COLO.LCivR 72.2, the parties in this civil action hereby voluntarily consent to have a United States magistrate judge conduct any and all further proceedings in the case, including the trial, and order the entry of a final judgment.