A basic knowledge of Colorado courts and judges can be very beneficial if you ever find yourself in the courtroom. All too often individuals and businesses find the need to file a lawsuit, or are on the receiving end of a lawsuit, and their lack of knowledge of how the court system works leaves them lost in the proceedings. Regardless of the circumstances that put you there, it helps to understand the court process and know a little about the individual overseeing your case.
It’s important to understand that there are multiple courts in each state that oversee different types of cases. Each of these courts have judges that administer the law and case process. When considering Colorado courts and Colorado judges, keep the following in mind:
1. The Denver court system is different from the rest of the state because it represents both a city and a county.
2. The Supreme Court in Colorado and Court of Appeals only hear appellate cases.
3. Bankruptcy information and case filings are also accessible through Colorado court records.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Locate courts and judges in Colorado
There are 22 judicial districts in Colorado, each containing at least two counties. District courts in Colorado handle any civil, domestic, criminal, juvenile and probate cases. Additionally, there is a court in each county, with jurisdiction limited to that county alone. County courts handle civil matters concerning less than $15,000, misdemeanor and some felony criminal cases, traffic violations, restraining orders and small claims. Colorado also has seven water courts, one in each of the major river basins, that have exclusive jurisdiction over cases concerning water. The Denver court system functions as a municipal and county court and Denver taxes pay to run the court, rather than state taxes.
I recommend: Determine the correct division for your type of question or case on the
Denver County Court website. The
Colorado Judicial Branch Self-Help page provides helpful information, including local court rules and case filing requirements. Link to District and County Courts information, including judges and clerks, on the
Colorado Judicial Branch Appellate and Trial Courts page.
File an appeal with the Supreme Court and Colorado Court of Appeals
The Colorado Supreme Court and Court of Appeals hear only appellate cases. The purpose of an appellate court is to review the trial transcript and original evidence of a case to determine if there were any errors in the original case decision. There are no witnesses, jurors or new evidence in a case heard before the Colorado appellate courts and their decisions are final. There are seven judges in Colorado Supreme Court. The Court of Appeals has 19 judges.
I recommend: To find information on appellate court decisions, access the
Colorado Judicial Branch Search for Opinions page. Obtain biographical information in the directory of Colorado judges for the Court of Appeals provided by the
Colorado Judicial Branch.
Access records from bankruptcy courts in Colorado
Whether you need to search for a bankruptcy filing on a debtor or determine if bankruptcy is an option for you or your company, the Colorado Bankruptcy Courts can assist you with both. The District of Colorado Bankruptcy Court provides information on the basics for bankruptcy filing, contact information for trustees and bankruptcy attorneys and an online search of Colorado bankruptcy records through the PACER system (Public Access to Court Electronic Records).
I recommend: Find answers to your bankruptcy questions on the
US Bankruptcy Court – District of Colorado FAQ page. Access the bankruptcy court records search on the
District of Colorado Document Filing System.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- Regardless of how much knowledge you have of Colorado courts and judges, you should hire an attorney who specializes in your specific type of case to represent you.
The official source of Colorado Courts and Judges is
the Colorado Courts and Judges page at Business.com
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