Q: What are the different types of courts in Colorado?
A: There are several types of courts in Colorado:
Colorado Supreme Court — This is the state's court of last resort, handling final appeals. The Supreme Court interprets state law and the Colorado Constitution, and its decisions are binding on all other Colorado courts.
Colorado Court of Appeals — This is the state's intermediate appellate court. The Court of Appeals has jurisdiction over appeals from Colorado's district courts and state administrative agencies. However, appeals involving death penalty cases, life sentences, and some constitutional matters go directly to the Supreme Court.
District Courts — These are courts of general jurisdiction in Colorado's 22 judicial districts. They handle criminal, civil, domestic relations, juvenile, probate, and mental health cases.
County Courts — These are courts of limited jurisdiction in each of Colorado's 64 counties. They handle only misdemeanors, felony advisements, criminal traffic violations, civil traffic infractions, small claims, and civil cases under $25,000.
Water Courts — Colorado has seven water courts, one in each of the major river basins (South Platte, Arkansas, Rio Grande, Gunnison, Colorado, White, and San Juan rivers). Water courts are divisions of the district court in that basin, and they have exclusive jurisdiction over cases involving water rights.
Municipal Courts — There are 215 municipal courts across Colorado that typically handle violations of local ordinances such as traffic violations and petty offenses.
Problem-Solving Courts — These specialty courts—66 of them across Colorado—help solve problems related to drug use, DUI, mental health, veteran's treatment, and family and dependency/neglect. They focus on rehabilitation and reducing repeat offenses.
Q: How many judicial districts does Colorado have?
A: Currently there are 22 judicial districts within Colorado (click for the map). In early 2025, the number will increase with the creation of the 23rd Judicial District made up of Douglas, Lincoln, and Elbert counties. Previously these counties were part of the 18th Judicial District along with Arapahoe County, but significant population growth prompted Colorado's legislature to pass a law making the change.
Q: Who is in charge of Colorado's judicial system?
A: The head of the Colorado Judicial Branch is the chief justice of the Colorado Supreme Court, who is elected to the position by the other justices. Chief Justice Monica Márquez began her term as chief in July 2024, taking over from Justice Brian Boatright. Day-to-day management of the branch is the responsibility of the State Court Administrator.
Q: How many judges are there in Colorado?
A: As of 2024, the Colorado Judicial Branch employs 378 justices and judges: seven Supreme Court justices, 22 Court of Appeals judges, 210 District Court judges, and 139 County Court judges. The branch also employs 93 full-time and part-time magistrates and approximately 40 senior judges. Senior judges are retired from the bench but help out on a temporary basis when there are absences, vacancies, and case backlogs.
In addition, Colorado has over 200 municipal judges serving in the state's various municipal courts. These judges are usually appointed by local city or town councils and may serve full-time or part-time depending on the size of the municipality.
Q: How many cases are handled by Colorado's state courts?
A: State courts are the workhorse of the judicial system, handling 95% of all cases in the United States. Colorado is no exception to this heavy workload. During the Colorado Judicial Branch's fiscal year 2024, there were 592,227 cases filed statewide. By court level:
- 381,856 cases filed in the county courts
- 205,927 cases filed in the district courts
- 2,305 cases filed in the Court of Appeals
- 1,340 cases filed in the Supreme Court
- 799 cases filed in the water courts
Source: Colorado Judicial Branch Annual Statistical Report Fiscal Year 2024.
For more information about Colorado's courts, visit these websites:
- Colorado Judicial Branch home page, https://www.coloradojudicial.gov
- Colorado Judicial Branch, FAQs, https://www.coloradojudicial.gov/about/faqs
- Colorado Judicial Branch, jury service, https://www.coloradojudicial.gov/jury-0
- Colorado Judicial Branch, self-help resources, https://www.coloradojudicial.gov/self-help-resources
- Colorado Judicial Branch, court services (e.g., interpreters, probate), https://www.coloradojudicial.gov/court-services
- Colorado Judicial Branch, court records, https://www.coloradojudicial.gov/access-guide-public-records-0
- Colorado Judicial Branch, docket search, https://www.coloradojudicial.gov/dockets
- Colorado Judicial Branch, statistical reports, https://www.coloradojudicial.gov/court-services/research-and-data
- Denver County Court, https://www.denvercountycourt.org
- Colorado Municipal Courts, https://www.coloradomunicipalcourts.org
- Problem Solving Courts, https://cjpu.colorado.gov/problem-solving-courts
- Colorado Judicial Learning Center, https://cjlc.colorado.gov
