The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has announced the permanent closure of its Rocky Mountain Regional Outreach Office in Denver, Colorado, effective October 1, 2025. This decision is part of a broader strategy to enhance operational efficiency and adapt to evolving work environments.
Established in 2014, the Denver office was one of several regional outreach offices created to connect patent filers and innovators with the USPTO, improve patent examiner retention, and enhance the quality of patent examination. However, by December 2024, the office’s staff had dwindled to fewer than ten employees, while operating expenses exceeded $1 million annually. The USPTO cited successful telework policies, the planned establishment of community outreach offices, and the increased popularity of virtual education and outreach events as factors reducing the necessity for physical office space. ([uspto.gov](https://www.uspto.gov/about-us/news-updates/uspto-announces-closure-rocky-mountain-regional-outreach-office?utm_source=openai))
In response to the closure, the USPTO is seeking public input on the selection of locations for new community outreach offices in the states formerly served by the Denver office, including Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming. These community outreach offices aim to provide targeted engagement and support to local innovators and entrepreneurs. ([coloradosun.com](https://coloradosun.com/2025/11/24/us-patent-office-new-regional-office-close-denver/?utm_source=openai))
Montana has been selected to oversee community outreach in the area previously serviced by the Denver office. This move aligns with the USPTO’s goal of establishing community outreach offices that create a physical presence in communities where outreach and intellectual property education are most needed. ([uspto.gov](https://www.uspto.gov/about-us/news-updates/uspto-announces-closure-rocky-mountain-regional-outreach-office?utm_source=openai))
The transition to community outreach offices reflects the USPTO’s commitment to modernizing its operations and ensuring that resources are allocated effectively to support innovation across the United States.