How Does The Colorado County Court Work?

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

• Civil cases under $25,000
• Misdemeanors
• Traffic infractions
• Felony complaints (may subsequently be directed to the District Court)
• Protection orders
• Small claims

County Court judges may issue search warrants as well as restraining orders in cases relating to domestic violence. Decisions of the Colorado County Courts may be appealed to the District Court.

Each Colorado judicial district has a Judicial Nomination Commission tasked with selecting nominees for district and county judicial vacancies. Colorado county courts are appointed by the Governor in collaboration with the relevant Judicial Nomination Commission, except in Denver. County court judges are initially appointed to two-year terms. However, they must stand in a retention election at the end of the two-year provisional term. They also run for retention every four years and have a mandatory retirement age of 72. Excluding the 17 Denver County Court judges, there are a total of 114 county court judges in Colorado.

Nominees for a county judge position are required to be residents of the particular county where the office is sought at the time of election or selection. The candidates are also required to have practiced law in Colorado for at least five years. Nominees must be under the age of 72 when their names are submitted to the Governor. In small counties in Colorado, persons are eligible if they graduated from high school or have acquired the equivalent of high school education.

The Colorado Judicial Performance Commission evaluates performance and provides voters with evaluations of county court judges seeking retention in the general elections. The commission collates performance reviews from surveys through:

• Personal interviews with the judge;
• Court observations;
• Letters from interested parties;
• Oral interviews with people appearing before judges regularly;
• Public hearings; and
• Additional information from other appropriate sources

Criteria used in submitting a performance review include:

• Integrity;
• Sentencing proceedings;
• Punctuality;
• Effectiveness in collaboration with participants in the judicial process;
• Communication competence;
• Knowledge and expertise in substantive, procedural, and evidentiary law;
• Docket management and prompt case disposition;
• Preparation, attentiveness, and control over judicial proceedings; and
• Service to the legal profession and members of the public.

A narrative for each county court judge is submitted for the public to view. The narratives are summarized with recommendations such as “retain,” “do not retain,” or “no opinion.” A detailed explanation usually accompanies “no opinion” recommendations.

Persons interested in finding case records for matters that went to trial in Colorado County Courts may find such through the Court Docket Search tool on the Colorado Judicial Branch website. Case records may be searched by selecting county court in the court filter option, and providing the case number, a party’s first name or last name, or attorney bar number. Individuals may use other filter options such as the judicial district and date range. Note that the information provided via this tool is not extensive. To obtain actual court records, visit the location of the district court below:

Adams County

Adams County Justice Center

1100 Judicial Center Dr.

Brighton, CO 80601

Phone: (303) 659–1161

Alamosa County

Alamosa Combined Court

8955 Independence Way

Alamosa, CO 81101

Phone: (719) 589–4996

E-mail: alamosaclerk@judicial.state.co.us

Arapahoe County

Arapahoe County Courthouse - Littleton

1790 West Littleton Blvd

Littleton, CO 80120

Phone: (303) 645–6600

Archuleta County

Archuleta County Courthouse

46 Eaton Drive, Suite 1

P. O. Box 148

Pagosa Springs, CO 81147

Phone: (970) 264–8160

E-mail: archuletaclerk@judicial.state.co.us

Baca County

Baca County Court

741 Main Street, Suite 5

Springfield, CO 81073

Phone: (719) 523–4555

Fax: (719) 523–4552

Bent County

Bent Combined Court

725 Bent Avenue

Las Animas, CO 81054

Phone: (719) 456–1353

Fax: (719) 456–0040

Boulder County

Boulder County Combined Court - Longmont

1035 Kimbark St

Longmont, CO 80501

Phone: (720) 564–2522

Fax: (303) 441–4750

Broomfield County

Broomfield Combined Courts

17 Descombes Dr.

Broomfield, CO 80020

Phone: (303) 464–5020

Chaffee County

Chaffee Combined Court

142 Crestone Avenue

P. O. Box 279

Salida, CO 81201

Phone: (719) 539–2561

Fax: (719) 539–6281

E-mail: dana.petri@judicial.state.co.us

Cheyenne County

Cheyenne County Courthouse

51 S. 1st St., P. O. Box 696

Cheyenne Wells, CO 80810

Phone: (719) 767–5649

Fax: (719) 767–5671

Clear County

Clear Creek County Courthouse

405 Argentine

P. O. Box 367

Georgetown, CO 80444

Phone: (303) 569–0820

Fax: (303) 569–3274

E-mail: tamara.lewis@judicial.state.co.us

Conejos County

Conejos Combined Court

6683 County Road 13

P. O. Box 128

Conejos, CO 81129

Phone: (719) 376–5465

E-mail: conejosclerk@judicial.state.co.us

Costilla County

Costilla Combined Court

304 Main Street

P. O. Box 301

San Luis, CO 81152

Phone: (719) 672–3681

E-mail: costillaclerk@judicial.state.co.us

Crowley County

Crowley Combined Court

110 East 6th Room 303

Ordway, CO 81063

Phone: (719) 267–4468

Fax: (719) 267–3753

Custer County

Custer Combined Court

205 S. 6th St.

P. O. Box 60

Westcliffe, CO 81252

Phone: (719) 783–2274

Fax: (719) 783–2995

E-mail: CusterCountyClerk@judicial.state.co.us

Delta County

Delta County Combined Court

501 Palmer St.

#338

Delta, CO 81416

Phone: (970) 874–6280

Fax: (970) 874–4306

E-mail: sherry.kuhn@judicial.state.co.us

Denver County

Lindsey-Flanigan Courthouse (Criminal Matters)

520 West Colfax Avenue

Room 135 (Clerk’s Office), Room 100 (Jury)

Denver, CO 80204

Phone: (303) 606–2300

Dolores County

Dolores Combined Court

409 N. Main

P. O. Box 511

Dove Creek, CO 81324

Phone: (970) 677–2258

Fax: (970) 677–4156

E-mail: DoloresClerk@judicial.state.co.us

Douglas County

Douglas County Courthouse

4000 Justice Way Ste. 2009

Castle Rock, CO 80109

Phone: (720) 437–6200

Fax: (303) 688–1962

E-mail: douglasjury@judicial.state.co.us

Eagle County

Eagle County Court at El Jebel

0020 Eagle County Drive

Suite B

Carbondale, CO 81623

Phone: (970) 704–2740

Fax: (970) 704–2782

E-mail: malinda.hollis@judicial.state.co.us

El Paso County

El Paso County Judicial Building

270 S Tejon St

Colorado Springs, CO 80903

Phone: (719) 452–5000

Elbert County Courthouse

751 Ute Ave.

P. O. Box 232

Kiowa, CO 80117

Phone: (303) 621–2131

E-mail: elbertjury@judicial.state.co.us

Fremont County

Fremont Combined Court

136 Justice Center Rd

Canon City, CO 81212

Phone: (719) 269–0100

Fax: (719) 204–2275

Garfield County

Garfield County Courthouse

109 8th St.

Suite 104

Glenwood Springs, CO 81601

Phone: (970) 928–3065

Fax: (970) 928–3067

Gilpin County

Gilpin Combined Court

2960 Dory Hill Road

Suite 200

Black Hawk, CO 80422

Phone: (303) 582–5522

Fax: (303) 582–3112

Grand County

Grand County Judicial Center

307 Moffat Avenue

P. O. Box 192

Hot Sulphur Springs, CO 80451

Phone: (970) 725–3357

Gunnison County

Gunnison County Combined Court Offices

200 E. Virginia Avenue

Gunnison, CO 81230

Phone: (970) 642–8300

Fax: (970) 642–8350

E-mail: Sarah.coleman@judicial.state.co.us

Hinsdale County

Hinsdale County Courthouse

317 Henson

Lake City, CO 81235

Phone: (970) 944–2227

Fax: (970) 944–2289

E-mail: joan.anastasion@judicial.state.co.us

Huerfano County

Huerfano County Courthouse

401 Main St.

Suite 304

Walsenburg, CO 81089

Phone: (719) 738–1040

Fax: (719) 738–1267

Jackson County

Jackson County Combined Court

396 Lafever Street

PO BOX 308

Walden, CO 80480

Phone: (970) 723–4363

Fax: (970) 723–4337

E-mail: 08CourtResourceCenter@judicial.state.co.us

Jefferson County

Jefferson Combined Court

100 Jefferson County Parkway

Golden, CO 80401

Phone: (720) 772–2500

Kiowa County

Kiowa County Combined Court

1305 Goff Street

P. O. Box 353

Eads, CO 81036

Phone: (719) 438–5558

Fax: (719) 438–5300

Kit Carson County

Kit Carson County Combined Court

1650 Donelan

Suite 301

Burlington, CO 80807

Phone: (719) 346–5524, ext. 3

Fax: (719) 346–7805

E-mail: KitCarsonClerksOffice@judicial.state.co.us

La Plata County

La Plata County Courthouse

1060 E. 2nd Ave., Rm 106

Durango, CO 81301

Phone:( 970) 247–2304

E-mail: laplataclerk@judicial.state.co.us

Lake County

Lake County Justice Center

505 Harrison Avenue

P. O. Box 55

Leadville, CO 80461

Phone: (719) 293–8100 #9

Fax: (719) 486–5006

E-mail: brenda.knoll@judicial.state.co.us

Larimer County

Larimer County Justice Center

201 La Porte Ave

Suite 100

Ft. Collins, CO 80521

Phone: (970) 494–3500

Fax: (970) 494–3580

E-mail: 08CourtResourceCenter@judicial.state.co.us

Loveland County Court

810 E 10th Street

Suite 110

Loveland, CO 80537

Phone: (970) 622–2100

Fax: (970) 622–2149

E-mail: 08CourtResourceCenter@judicial.state.co.us

Las Animas County

Las Animas County Courthouse

200 E. 1st St.

Room 304

Trinidad, CO 81082

Phone: (719) 846–3316

Fax: (719) 497–8267

Lincoln County

Lincoln County Courthouse

103 Third Ave.

P. O. Box 128

Hugo, CO 80821

Phone: (719) 743–2455

Fax: (719) 743–2636

E-mail: lincolnjury@judicial.state.co.us

Logan County

Logan County Combined Courts

110 N. Riverview Road

Sterling, CO 80751

Phone: (970) 970–522–6565

E-mail: LoganClerksOffice@judicial.state.co.us

Mesa County

Mesa County Justice Center

125 N Spruce St.

P. O. Box 20,000–5030

Grand Junction, CO 81501

Phone: (970) 257–3640

E-mail: mesa.court@judicial.state.co.us

Mineral County

Mineral Combined Court

P. O. Box 337

1201 North Main

Creede, CO 81130

Phone: (719) 658–2575

E-mail: mineralclerk@judicial.state.co.us

Moffat County

Moffat Combined Court

221 W. Victory Way

Suite 300

Craig, CO 81625

Phone: (970) 824–8254

Montezuma County

Montezuma Combined Courts

865 North Park Street

Suite 100

Cortez, CO 81321

Phone: (970) 565–1111

Fax: (970) 565–8516

E-mail: MontezumaClerk@judicial.state.co.us

Montrose County

Montrose County Justice Center

1200 North Grand Avenue

Montrose, CO 81401

Phone: (970) 252–4300

Fax: (970) 252–4309

E-mail: jodi.hanson@judicial.state.co.us

Nucla Montrose Associate Court

Montrose County Courthouse Annex - Nucla

300 Main Street

Nucla, CO 81424

Phone: (970) 864–7373

Fax: (970) 864–7829

E-mail: jodi.hanson@judicial.state.co.us

Morgan County

Morgan County Combined Court

400 Warner Street

Fort Morgan, CO 80701

Phone: (970) 542–5200

Fax: (970) 542–5202

E-mail: MorganClerksOffice@judicial.state.co.us

Otero County

Otero Combined Court

13 West Third St. Room 207

La Junta, CO 81050

Phone: (719) 384–4951

Fax: (719) 384–4991

Ouray County

Ouray County Courthouse

541 4th St

P. O. Box 643

Ouray, CO 81427

Phone: (970) 325–4405

Fax: (970) 325–7364

E-mail: jane.holmes@judicial.state.co.us

Park County

Park Combined Court

300 Fourth St.

P. O. Box 190

Fairplay, CO 80440

Phone: (719) 836–2940

Fax: (719) 836–2892

E-mail: parkcountyclerk@judicial.state.co.us

Phillips County

Phillips Combined Court

221 S. Interocean

Holyoke, CO 80734

Phone: (970) 854–3279 ext0

Fax: (970) 854–3179

E-mail: lisa.ault@judicial.state.co.us

Pitkin County

Pitkin County Courthouse

506 E. Main

Suite 300

Aspen, CO 81611

Phone: (970) 925–7635

Fax: (970) 925–6349

Prowers County

Prowers County Combined Court

301 S. Main, Suite 300

Lamar, CO 81052

Phone: (719) 336–7424

Fax: (719) 336–8976

Pueblo County

Pueblo Combined Court

501 N. Elizabeth St.

Pueblo, CO 81003

Phone: (719) 404–8700

Rio Blanco County

Rio Blanco Combined Court

P. O. Box 1150

455 Main Street

Meeker, CO 81641

Phone: (970) 878–5622

Rio Blanco County Associate Court

209 E. Main Street

Rangely, CO 81648

Phone: (970) 675–2342

Fax: (970) 675–5029

Rio Grande County

Rio Grande Combined Court

925 6th Street

Room 204

Del Norte, CO 81132

Phone: (719) 657–3394

E-mail: riograndeclerk@judicial.state.co.us

Routt County

Routt Combined Court

1955 Shield Drive Unit 200

Steamboat Springs, CO 80487

Phone: (970) 879–5020

Saguache County

Saguache Combined Court

501 4th Street

P. O. Box 197

Saguache, CO 81149

Phone: (719) 655–2522

E-mail: saguacheclerk@judicial.state.co.us

San Juan County

San Juan County Courthouse

1557 Greene Street

P O Box 900

Silverton, CO 81433

Phone: (970) 387–5790

Fax: (970) 387–0295

San Miquel County

San Miguel County Courthouse

305 W. Colorado Ave.

P. O. Box 919

Telluride, CO 81435

Phone: (970) 369–3300

Fax: (970) 728–6216

E-mail: bryan.yug@judicial.state.co.us

Sedgwick County

Sedgwick Combined Court

315 Cedar Street

Julesburg, CO 80737

Phone: (970) 474–3627

Fax: (970) 474–2026

E-mail: lisa.ault@judicial.state.co.us

Summit County

Summit County Justice Center

501 N. Park Avenue (physical)

P. O. Box 269 (mailing)

Breckenridge, CO 80424

Phone: (970) 453–2272

Fax: (970) 453–1134 (fax)

E-mail: chris.kilkenny@judicial.state.co.us

Teller County

Teller County Courthouse

101 W. Bennett Avenue

P. O. Box 997

Cripple Creek, CO 80813

Phone: (719) 689–7360

Fax: (719) 689–7361

Washington County

Washington Combined Court

26861 Hwy 34

P. O. Box 455

Akron, CO 80720

Phone: (970) 345–2756

Fax: (970) 345–2829

E-mail: sandra.farris@judicial.state.co.us

Weld County

Plaza West

910 10th Ave

P. O. Box 2038 (80632)

Greeley, CO 80631

Phone: (970) 475–2400

E-mail: 19JDclerkofcourt@judicial.state.co.us

Yuma County

Yuma County Courthouse

310 Ash Street

Suite L

Wray, CO 80758

Phone: (970) 332–4118

Fax: (970) 332–4119

E-mail: leslie.laird@judicial.state.co.us