In a ruling highlighting the potential pitfalls of virtual litigation, the Colorado Court of Appeals has reversed a termination of parental rights after the lower court denied a requested continuance for a father who encountered technical difficulties logging on to a remote hearing conducted during the pandemic.

The father, identified as R.B., appealed Jefferson County District Court Judge Ann Gail Meinster’s denial of his request for a continuance after he had challenges participating in the virtual hearing, according to the appeals court’s opinion.