Colorado State District Court System

Colorado State District Courts are trial courts, and do not publish their files online or in reporters. Someone must go to the appropriate court to view and/or copy the court’s file. The docket sheet in the front of the file lists all of the pleadings filed in the case, as well as all court orders and rulings. Most court files can be viewed and/or copied by the public. Check with the court clerk in that jurisdiction for costs and details, along with the appropriate rules of procedure. Court contact information can be found on the Colorado Courts website and in the 2008 Colorado Legal Directory at the reference desk on Level 3 of the library. Colorado district courts can hear civil cases in any amount, as well as domestic relations, criminal, juvenile, probate, and mental health cases. District court trial opinions are appealed to the Colorado Court of Appeals unless a special rule gives the Colorado Supreme Court direct jurisdiction. Examples include water court opinions and constitutional rulings by a lower court.

County Courts have jurisdiction to handle civil cases under $15,000.00. If a counterclaim or cross claim is filed which puts the total amount at issue over $15,000.00, the case must be removed to the district court which has the appropriate venue and jurisdiction. County courts also handle county code violations, misdemeanors, traffic infractions, felony complaints (which may be sent to district court), protection orders, and other cases assigned to them. County court decisions may be appealed to the district court. County courts hear cases involving both state statutes and county codes.

Municipal Courts are found in most cities. They usually hear cases involving violations of their municipal ordinances. Local government websites are the best resource for municipal court rules and ordinances, as well as county codes. See the Web Research Links on the library homepage for Colorado resources for local government websites. Web Research Links > Colorado Resources > Colorado Local Government

The official Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure that apply to Colorado State District Courts, the rules for Attorney and Judicial Conduct, County Court, Small Claims Court, and Probate procedure are located in print in the library in the red softbound Court Rules Book 1, KFC 1830 .A2. The official Colorado Rules of Procedure for Juvenile, Criminal, Traffic, Appellate, and Evidence are located in the red softbound Court Rules Book 2, KFC 1830 .A2. The rules have sample forms and are annotated with references to cases, articles, and other research resources.

Magistrates are often used in the above-referenced courts, acting pursuant to relevant statutes and rules of procedure. The administrative law applicable to state agencies is not discussed in this brief overview of Colorado courts.

by Catharine Cott, Reference Librarian