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
P.O. 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