Colorado Judicial Branch

Colorado Judicial Branch The Colorado Supreme Court is the court of last resort in Colorado's state court system. County court decisions may be appealed to the district court.

The Colorado Judicial Branch is a unified court system made up of limited-jurisdiction county courts, general-jurisdiction district courts, and the Colorado Court of Appeals and Colorado Supreme Court. The court generally hears appeals from the Court of Appeals, although in some instances individuals can petition the Supreme Court directly regarding a lower court's decision. The Chief Justice serves as the administrative head of the Colorado Judicial Branch. The Colorado Court of Appeals is usually the first court of appeals for decisions from the district courts, Denver Probate Court, and Denver Juvenile Court. The Court of Appeals also reviews decisions of several state administrative agencies. Its determination of an appeal is final unless the Colorado Supreme Court agrees to review the matter. District Courts hear civil cases in any amount, as well as domestic relations, criminal, juvenile, probate, and mental health cases. District court decisions may be appealed to the Colorado Court of Appeals (in some cases directly to the Colorado Supreme Court). County Courts handle civil cases under $15,000, misdemeanors, traffic infractions, felony complaints (which may be sent to district court), protection orders, and small claims. Water Courts, a division of District Courts, have exclusive jurisdiction over cases relating to the determination of water rights, use and administration of water, and all other water matters. There are seven water courts, one in each of the major river basins in Colorado.

All Colorado state courts and probation offices will be closed on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026 in honor of Mother Cabrini Day, a...
10/01/2026

All Colorado state courts and probation offices will be closed on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026 in honor of Mother Cabrini Day, a Colorado state holiday. Regular hours will resume on Tuesday, Oct. 6.

09/28/2026

PUBLIC NOTICE: ACTIVE THREAT TRAINING EXERCISE – OCTOBER 2

The Adams County Justice Center will be closed to the public on Friday, Oct. 2, while local agencies conduct a full-scale active threat training exercise.

The exercise will take place from 7 a.m. to noon and will involve a significant presence of law enforcement, fire, emergency medical personnel and other first responders at and around the Justice Center.

Participating agencies include the Adams County Sheriff’s Office, Brighton Police Department, Brighton Fire Rescue District, the 17th Judicial District, the 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office and Platte Valley Hospital, among others.

Platte Valley Hospital will remain open and operate as normal throughout the exercise.

Members of the public in the area may see a large number of emergency vehicles and personnel and may hear simulated emergency noises or observe simulated emergency activity.

Please do not be alarmed. This is a planned training exercise, and there is no threat to the public.

This collaborative exercise provides participating agencies and Justice Center employees an opportunity to practice their response to a critical incident and strengthen coordination among our community partners.

We appreciate the public’s patience and cooperation while this important training takes place.

Brighton Police Department Brighton Fire Rescue Colorado Judicial Branch Colorado's 17th Judicial District Attorney's Office Intermountain Platte Valley Hospital

Gov. Jared Polis made several judge appointments to district and county courts in judicial districts around Colorado in ...
09/22/2026

Gov. Jared Polis made several judge appointments to district and county courts in judicial districts around Colorado in August and September.

District judge appointments include:
• 𝗩. 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗺 𝗦𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗼, III, 2nd Judicial District (Denver County), effective Jan. 13, 2027
• 𝗟𝗮𝗿𝗮 𝗬. 𝗡𝗮𝗳𝘇𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗿, 4th Judicial District (El Paso and Teller counties), effective Oct. 1, 2026
• 𝗗𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗱 𝗞. 𝗢𝘁𝘁𝗺𝗮𝗻, 6th Judicial District (Archuleta, La Plata, San Juan counties), effective Sept. 30, 2026
• 𝗝𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗿𝗲𝘆 𝗠. 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝘄𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘇, 8th Judicial District (Larimer and Jackson counties), effective immediately
• 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘀 𝗠. 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗱, 17th Judicial District (Adams and Broomfield counties), effective immediately

Check out our website for information about the judges' backgrounds as well as recent county judge appointments: https://www.coloradojudicial.gov/media/judge-appointments

09/18/2026

This semester, students participating in Colorado Law’s Marshall Brennan Constitutional Literacy Project are teaching high school students in the Denver area

Sept. 17 is Constitution Day, which celebrates the date in 1787 when the U.S. Constitution was signed. In this video, fi...
09/17/2026

Sept. 17 is Constitution Day, which celebrates the date in 1787 when the U.S. Constitution was signed. In this video, find out what the U.S. and Colorado Constitutions mean to our Colorado Supreme Court Justices.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dpz8AP3y0yY&t=3s

America 250 - Colorado 150 Commemoration

During National Hispanic Heritage Month, we celebrate our Latine employees, a term that embraces Hispanic, Chicano and L...
09/17/2026

During National Hispanic Heritage Month, we celebrate our Latine employees, a term that embraces Hispanic, Chicano and Latino identities. With about 21.3% of our 4,000 employees identifying as Latine, our workforce closely reflects Colorado’s population, where 23.3% of residents share this heritage.

The strength of the judicial branch is rooted in the diverse contributions, perspectives and lived experiences of these and all our employees. Their dedication helps us provide equal access to justice, contribute to public safety and strengthen the rule of law across Colorado.

(𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘱𝘰𝘱𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘢: 𝘊𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘥𝘰 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘋𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘩𝘺 𝘖𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘦, 2024)

Do you have an active warrant for a nonviolent offense in Eagle, Lake, Cleark Creek or Summit counties? Warrant Clearanc...
09/12/2026

Do you have an active warrant for a nonviolent offense in Eagle, Lake, Cleark Creek or Summit counties? Warrant Clearance Day at the Summit County Combined Courts in Breckenridge on Sept. 19 from 9 a.m. to noon may be the key to clearing up your past without arrest.

To find out whether your warrant is eligible, contact the courthouse before the event or just show up. No appointment needed.

Learn more: https://www.coloradojudicial.gov/media/press-release/clear-your-warrant-event-offered-september-19-summit-county-combined-courts

Did you ever wonder how judges are evaluated before they stand for retention? Read this article to learn more!
09/09/2026

Did you ever wonder how judges are evaluated before they stand for retention? Read this article to learn more!

Docket Issue | September 2026 Balancing Independence and Accountability: How Colorado Evaluates Its Judges by Rian Nelson | Special to the Colorado Judicial Institute Balancing Independence and Accountability: How Colorado Evaluates Its Judges By Rian Nelson | Special to the Colorado Judicial Instit...

09/04/2026

Explore the art in the Huerfano County Courthouse for our First Friday Art Walk! This month, we travel to Walsenburg to see art created by locals...and even a judge!

Need an Extended Audio Description? Check out a version on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/I4G8KLusQiI

Colorado Supreme Court Chief Justice Monica M. Márquez has appointed the Honorable Gretchen Larson to serve as the next ...
09/04/2026

Colorado Supreme Court Chief Justice Monica M. Márquez has appointed the Honorable Gretchen Larson to serve as the next chief judge of the 21st Judicial District (Mesa County). Judge Larson will replace the Honorable Brian Flynn, who retires Dec. 31, 2026. Judge Larson, who has served as district court judge since 2016, will become chief judge on Jan. 1, 2027.

Read more about Judge Larson's background: https://www.coloradojudicial.gov/media/press-release/gretchen-larson-appointed-next-chief-judge-21st-judicial-district

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