Colorado State Courts | StateRecords.org

Colorado Courts

The Colorado court system provides multi-level platforms for citizens to resolve their disputes. Each court serves a unique purpose or function, and they operate independently of the executive and legislative branches of the Colorado state government. Nearly all court matters originate in a trial court or agency. There, judges and juries listen to witnesses, resolve issues of fact, and apply the law to the facts found. Subsequently, the court arrives at a decision that favors one of the parties to the case. The aggrieved party has the right to petition an appellate court for a review of the decision of the trial court.

With over 300 judges and 3,500 support staff members, the Colorado court system is centrally administered by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and other supreme court justices and assisted by the State Court Administrator (SCA) appointed by the Chief Justice. The SCA Office is responsible for providing administrative support and services to the trial and appellate courts to assist them in providing Colorado citizens with prompt, fair, and economical forums to resolve disputes. The Office also supports the management of probation services to enhance public protection and offender rehabilitation. The administrative office of each court generates Colorado court records which provide an official account of each judicial proceeding in the state.

The Colorado court system comprises the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, District Courts, and County Courts. Special Juvenile and Probate Courts have jurisdiction over juvenile matters and probate cases. The Denver County Court functions as a Municipal Court and a County Court. Several other Municipal Courts exist in cities across Colorado. Although operating under the procedures set by the Supreme Court, Colorado Municipal Courts are separate from the state judicial system. In other areas where there are no Juvenile and Probate Courts, the District Courts are responsible for handling juvenile and probate matters. Locally funded Municipal Courts are also authorized by Colorado statutes to handle municipal ordinance violations.

In Colorado, the first-level appellate court must hear every appeal properly brought before it, ensuring that a litigant's case is reviewed at least once. The District Court is typically the first-level appellate court for the County and Municipal Courts. The Court of Appeals is the first-level appellate court for matters originating from the state's administrative agencies and the District Courts.

Colorado appellate courts do not accept new pieces of evidence during appeals. They correct errors that the trial judge may have made, such as inadvertently allowing specific evidence to be introduced. Colorado appellate courts do not decide facts. They review transcripts of trial court proceedings, research the law, and decide how the law should apply to the facts the trial judge, jury, or agency determined to be true. Where errors have been determined to affect the fairness of a trial substantially, the appellate courts may require the trial court, or the agency involved to hold a new trial.

Upon the review of the trial court's decision by the first-level appellate court, an aggrieved party may request a review by the court of last resort, the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court in its discretionary jurisdiction, may decide whether to hear the appeal or not. Like the other appellate courts, the Supreme Court reviews transcripts of the trial proceedings and then determines what the law is or should be for that matter. Its opinions are binding on itself and set precedence for all the lower courts in Colorado. Appeals from a Colorado supreme court are heard by federal appellate courts or another federal court of equal jurisdiction.

Colorado has seven Water Courts which are divisions of the District Court with jurisdictions over water rights and matters. Over 70 problem-solving courts exist in Colorado offering a non-traditional approach to integrating treatment provision and criminal justice case processing. There are also federal courts within the state's judicial district that hear appeals, and preside over federal cases and matters pertaining to federal law and the federal judiciary.

What is the Colorado Supreme Court?

The Colorado Supreme Court is the apex or highest court in the state and has appellate jurisdiction over cases involving:

Adjudication of water rights
Summary proceedings originating under the election code
Writs of habeas corpus
Decisions of the Public Utilities Commission
Prosecutorial appeals regarding search and seizure questions in unresolved criminal proceedings
Any Colorado statute that has been held to be unconstitutional by a trial court

The Colorado Supreme Court does not conduct trials, evidentiary, or sentencing hearings. The court hears oral arguments in the majority of the cases decided by its judges. Court rulings are normally issued within 270 days after the conclusion of oral arguments.

Decisions and orders of the Colorado Supreme Court are binding on the lower courts in the state. The Court plays an administrative role over the regulation and disciplinary proceedings of attorneys practicing in the state, court rulemaking process, and the budgeting process of the judicial branch. The Supreme Court oversees the State Court Administrator, Board of Continuing Legal Education, Board of Law Examiners, the Commission on Judicial Discipline, and the Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee.

The Colorado Supreme Court comprises seven justices elected to ten-year terms. To be qualified for a justiceship position in the Colorado supreme court, an individual must be a qualified elector of Colorado and must have been licensed to practice law in the state for a minimum of five years.

Colorado Court of Appeals?

The Colorado Court of Appeals is the state's intermediate appellate court. The court was established to provide rapid and unbiased resolutions to appeals of orders and judgments of the trial courts in the state. It has initial jurisdiction, with exceptions, over appeals originating from the following courts:

Denver Juvenile Court
Denver Probate Court
Colorado District Courts

The Court of Appeals also has appellate jurisdiction over decisions of specific Colorado administrative boards and entities such as the Industrial Claim Appeals Office. Decisions of the Court of Appeals' may be appealed to the Colorado Supreme Court.

The Court is located in Denver but may sit in any county seat to hear cases. Judges in the Court of Appeals sit in three-member panels to decide on cases. The Colorado Court of Appeals comprises 22 judges who are initially appointed to an approximate two-year term. Judges in the court may not hold their offices beyond the age of 72.

Colorado District Courts?

Colorado District Courts are trial courts of general jurisdiction handling matters such as:

Divorce and Custody matters
Civil matters
Juvenile matters
Probate matters
Criminal matters
Mental health matters

Colorado is divided into 22 judicial districts with several counties making up a judicial district. Pueblo, Weld, Boulder, and Mesa counties all individually exist as separate judicial districts. District Court cases are typically appealed to the Court of Appeals and, in specific cases, directly to the Supreme Court. Each district is administered by a Chief Judge appointed by the Supreme Court Chief Justice. In all, there are 192 judges serving in Colorado District Courts. The judges serve six-year terms.

Colorado County Courts?

County Courts in Colorado are the state's trial courts of limited jurisdiction. Geographically, the jurisdiction of a County Court does not extend beyond the border of the county in which the court is located. Jury trials are held in many cases brought before Colorado's County Courts. There is a County Court in each of Colorado's 64 counties. County Courts handle cases such as:

Civil cases in which the amount in dispute is under $25,000
Misdemeanors
Traffic violations
Felony complaints
Protection orders
Small claims cases

Judges in Colorado County Courts are authorized to issue search warrants as well as restraining orders in cases relating to domestic violence. Decisions of the County Courts may be appealed to the District Courts. Besides the 17 judges in the Denver County Court, there are 114 County Court judges in Colorado. County court judges are initially appointed to serve two-year terms. However, they may be retained via a retention election at the expiration of the provisional term.

Colorado Denver Juvenile Court?

Generally, Juvenile Courts are branches of the District Courts in Colorado and are therefore administratively combined. However, the Denver Juvenile Court is the only exception. The court has a dedicated bench that exclusively handles matters within the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Court. Cases within the jurisdiction of the Denver Juvenile Court include matters of:

Juvenile delinquency
Juvenile dependency and neglect
Child support and paternity
Truancy
Relinquishment
Adoption cases

Most of the criminal cases held in the Denver Juvenile Court are bench trials heard by a judge rather than a jury. By law, a trial in the Denver Juvenile Court must be held within 60 days after a juvenile's plea of not guilty. However, in some instances, cases may be tried by a jury. Besides standard case processing, the Denver Juvenile Court operates several specialized dockets and works in conjunction with other agencies in Denver to develop innovative programming, such as rehabilitative programs for juveniles.

Colorado Denver Probate Court?

Referred to as the 24th judicial district, the Denver Probate Court geographic jurisdiction covers the City and County of Denver. The court has exclusive jurisdiction over all matters of probate. Probate matters include issues of wills, trusts, guardianships, and conservatorships. Other matters handled in the Denver Probate Court include settlements of estates of deceased persons, appointments of guardians, conservators and administrators, settlement of their accounts, the adjudication of mentally ill, and any other jurisdiction as may be provided by law. For counties outside of Denver, probate issues are generally handled by the District Courts.

Colorado Water Court?

Pursuant to the Water Right Determination and Administration Act of 1969, Colorado created seven water divisions according to the state's drainage patterns. Each division is staffed with an engineer, a water judge, a water referee appointed by the water judge, and a water clerk designated by the District Court. Water Court judges are district judges appointed by the Supreme Court and have jurisdiction over:

The determination of water rights
The use and administration of water
Any other water matters within the water division.

Water court judges also have a mandatory retirement age of 72. The locations of the water divisions are listed on the Colorado judicial branch website.

Colorado Municipal Courts?

Colorado Municipal Courts are created by statute with local jurisdictions. These courts only handle cases of municipal ordinance violations within a city's geographical boundaries. Pursuant to C.R.S. 13-10-101, Municipal Courts are established as courts of records and handled cases pertaining to:

Zoning violations
Traffic tickets
Animal control matters
Parking
Shoplifting
Disturbing the peace

Municipal Courts are separate from the state judicial system but are operated by the rules and procedures established by the Colorado Supreme Court. The government of the city where a Municipal Court is located typically appoints judges for its Municipal Court in line with the city laws.

Colorado Problem-Solving Courts?

Colorado problem-solving courts offer a non-traditional approach to integrating treatment provision and criminal justice case processing. These courts work in close alliance with multi-disciplinary teams such as members of the judicial treatment communities to offer accountability, treatment, and services to offenders in order to reduce substance abuse and recidivism

There are over 75 problem-solving courts in the 22 judicial districts in Colorado. Programs offered by Colorado problem-solving courts include:

What are Appeals and Court Limits in Colorado?

An appeal is a request made to a higher court to review the order or decision of a lower court. An appellate process is initiated when a party aggrieved by the judgment of a lower court seeks redress based on perceived legal errors committed by the trial court in deciding the facts of a case. In Colorado, an appeal in civil cases from a District Court must be filed in the Court of Appeals within 45 days after the entry of judgment in the District Court. Any cross-appeal must be filed with the Court of Appeal within 14 days of the date on which the first notice of appeal is filed. A cross-appeal is any additional appeal filed by other parties to the District Court case after the original notice of appeal has been filed with the appellate court.

In criminal cases, a notice of appeal must be filed by the defendant in the appellate court within 49 days from the entry of the judgment or order appealed. An advisory copy must be served on the clerk of the trial court within the same 49-day period. Colorado considers any notice of appeal filed after the announcement of an order, decision, or sentence but before the entry of the judgment or order, as filed on the date of such entry. An extension may be created in the period for appeal from a judgment of conviction if a motion for a new trial based on newly discovered evidence is made within 14 days after entry of the judgment.

In the review of felony sentences, a notice of appeal must be filed within 49 days from the date of the imposition of sentence. This notice must be filed with the appellate court and an advisory copy served on the clerk of the trial court which imposed the sentence. The period for filing the notice of appeal may be extended by the appellate court.

How Do I Find My Case Number in Colorado?

A case number is a unique number assigned to each action filed in the court. It is useful for court record custodians and requesters to track and find case documents more quickly. A case number can help identify the county where the case was filed, year of filing, court type, the judicial officer assigned to a case, and case type.

A requester can find a specific case number by contacting the court where the case is filed. Colorado District Courts and County Courts locations are listed on the Colorado judicial branch website. Record custodians in the courthouses charge a nominal fee for this service. A case number can also be found by providing the name of a party to the case and the county where the courthouse is located on the Docket Search portal of the Colorado judicial branch website. The resulting search page lists the case numbers matching the information provided.

Does Colorado Hold Remote Trials?

Yes, following the COVID-19 outbreak, Colorado courts now hold remote trials in balancing their responsibility of maintaining fair and effective administration of justice with public health considerations. Many Colorado courts now use WebEx and similar teleconferencing tools to conduct virtual court proceedings including oral arguments.