Signed by Governor Jared Polis

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends plans to expand the Colorado state judicial branch.

Highlights:

• Specifies the number of judges appropriated for the 4th Judicial District on July 1, 2025 is 25 (Sec. 1).

• Specifies the number of judges appropriated for the 4th Judicial District on July 1, 2026 is 26 (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies the number of judges appropriated for the 7th Judicial District on July 1, 2026 is 6 (Sec. 2).

• Specifies the number of judges appropriated for the 13th Judicial District on July 1, 2026 is 6 (Sec. 3).

• Specifies the number of judges appropriated for the 17th Judicial District on July 1, 2025 is 17 (Sec. 4).

• Specifies the number of judges appropriated for the 17th Judicial District on July 1, 2026 is 18 (Sec. 4). 

• Specifies the number of judges appropriated for the 18th Judicial District on July 1, 2025 is 18 (Sec. 5).

• Specifies the number of judges appropriated for the 18th Judicial District on July 1, 2026 is 19 (Sec. 5).

• Authorizes the district judges assigned to Arapahoe County to maintain offices outside of their county seat (Sec. 5).

• Specifies the number of judges appropriated for the 19th Judicial District on July 1, 2026 is 12 (Sec. 6).

• Specifies the number of judges appropriated for the 23rd Judicial District on July 1, 2025 is 9 (Sec. 7).

• Specifies that each county has 1 county judge, unless a specific appropriation is made (Sec. 8).

• Specifies that Jefferson County is appropriated 9 county judges (Sec. 8). 

• Specifies that El Paso County is appropriated 10 county judges (Sec. 8). 

• Specifies that Adams County is appropriated 8 county judges (Sec. 8). 

• Specifies that Arapahoe County is appropriated 8 county judges (Sec. 8). 

• Specifies that Boulder County is appropriated 5 county judges (Sec. 8). 

• Specifies that Pueblo County is appropriated 3 county judges (Sec. 8). 

• Specifies that Denver County and the City of Denver is appropriated according to its charter and ordinances (Sec. 8). 

• Specifies that Larimer County is appropriated 6 county judges (Sec. 8). 

• Specifies that Douglas County is appropriated 3 county judges (Sec. 8). 

• Specifies that Douglas County is to be appropriated 4 county judges on July 1, 2026 (Sec. 8). 

• Specifies that La Plata County is appropriated 2 county judges (Sec. 8). 

• Specifies that Mesa County is appropriated 3 county judges (Sec. 8). 

• Specifies that Mesa County is to be appropriated 4 county judges on July 1, 2026 (Sec. 8). 

• Specifies that Weld County is appropriated 4 county judges (Sec. 8). 

• Specifies that Eagle County is to be appropriated 2 county judges on July 1, 2026 (Sec. 8). 

• Requires one Boulder County judge to maintain a courtroom in the city of Longmont at least 3 days per week (Sec. 8).

• Requires a judge in Eagle County to conduct court business in the Roaring Fork River Drainage area (Sec. 8).

• Appropriates $2,638,326 from the general fund to the judicial department for use by the state courts (Sec. 9).

• Appropriates $2,120,626 for the use by trial court programs (Sec. 9).

• Appropriates $115,500 for capital outlay by the courts (Sec. 9).

• Appropriates $402,200 for courthouse furnishings and maintenance (Sec. 9).

• Appropriates $621,337 in the 2025-2026 state fiscal year for the use by the office of the state public defender to be used in the following manner (Sec. 9):

• $557,311 for personal services;

• $8,576 for operating expenses;

• $46,690 for capital outlay;

• $760 for attorney registration fees; and

• $8,000 for training.

• Specifies that this bill is for the safety of the public (Sec. 10). 

Full Bill Text