The proposed legislation aims to address the increasing caseloads in Colorado's judicial system by expanding the number of judges at various levels. The bill outlines a phased approach to these additions, effective on July 1, 2025, and July 1, 2026.
Effective July 1, 2025:
District Court Judges:
Increase by one judge in the 8th, 13th, 19th, and 23rd judicial districts.
Increase by two judges in the 4th, 17th, and 18th judicial districts.
County Court Judges:
Add one judge each in Douglas, La Plata, Larimer, Mesa, Weld, Eagle, Adams, and Arapahoe counties.
Effective July 1, 2026:
District Court Judges:
Increase by one judge in the 2nd, 7th, 17th, 18th, and 20th judicial districts.
Increase by two judges in the 4th judicial district.
Denver Probate Court:
Add one additional judge.
Court of Appeals:
Expand by three judges.
Additionally, the bill modifies the current requirement for district court judges assigned to Arapahoe County, allowing them to maintain offices outside of the county seat.
These changes are designed to enhance the efficiency and accessibility of Colorado's judicial system in response to growing demands.
Summary
Beginning July 1, 2025, the bill increases by one the number of
district court judges in the eighth, thirteenth, nineteenth, and twenty-third judicial districts; increases by 2 the number of district court judges in the fourth, seventeenth, and eighteenth judicial districts; and increases by one the number of county court judges in Douglas county, La Plata county, Larimer county, Mesa county, Weld county, Eagle county, Adams county, and Arapahoe county.
Beginning July 1, 2026, the bill increases by one the number of district court judges in the second, seventh, seventeenth, eighteenth, and twentieth judicial districts and the Denver probate court; increases by 2 the number of district court judges in the fourth judicial district; and increases by 3 the number of judges serving on the court of appeals.
Current law requires district court judges regularly assigned to
Arapahoe county to maintain offices within Arapahoe county. The bill allows the district court judges assigned to Arapahoe county to maintain offices outside of the county seat.
