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The '''Colorado Judicial Branch''' interprets Colorado law and the state constitution. It consists of state courts organized in a hierarchy from trial courts through appellate courts to the Colorado Supreme Court.

== Colorado Supreme Court ==

The Colorado Supreme Court is the highest court in the state and has final authority over the interpretation of Colorado law and the state constitution. The Court hears cases of significant importance and serves as the final arbiter in disputes between the other branches of government.

The Court consists of seven justices, including one Chief Justice. Justices are selected through the Missouri Plan, a merit-based system where a judicial commission nominates qualified candidates to the Governor, who appoints justices from the list. Justices stand for retention by voters after their initial appointment.

== Court of Appeals ==

The Colorado Court of Appeals is an intermediate appellate court that hears most appeals from trial courts. The Court of Appeals helps relieve the caseload of the Colorado Supreme Court by reviewing lower court decisions for legal error.

== District Courts ==

Colorado is divided into judicial districts, with district courts serving as the primary trial courts for serious felony cases, civil disputes, and family law matters. District judges are selected through the Missouri Plan and stand for voter retention.

== County Courts ==

County courts are lower trial courts that handle misdemeanor cases, traffic violations, small claims, and certain civil matters. County judges are selected through the Missouri Plan in some counties and through elections in others, depending on local arrangements.

== Specialized Courts ==

Colorado also maintains specialized courts addressing specific areas:

* '''Probate Courts''': Handle estate and probate matters
* '''Juvenile Courts''': Handle cases involving minors
* '''Drug Courts''': Address drug-related offenses through specialized treatment

== Judicial Selection and Retention ==

Colorado uses the Missouri Plan for selection of most judges, a merit-based system where a judicial commission screens and nominates qualified candidates. The Governor appoints judges from the commission's list. After an initial appointment period, judges stand for retention elections, where voters decide whether to retain them for additional terms.

Unlike the Colorado General Assembly, the legislature does not have a direct role in appointing or retaining state judges, though it must authorize the creation of each judgeship.

== See Also ==

* [[Colorado General Assembly]]
* [[Colorado Executive Branch]]

{{#seo:
|title=Colorado Judicial Branch
|description=Colorado's court system, including the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, district courts, and specialized courts, with judges selected through the Missouri Plan.
|type=Article
}}

[[Category:Colorado government]]
[[Category:Colorado]]

== References ==
<ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colorado_General_Assembly|title=Colorado General Assembly|publisher=Wikipedia|access-date=2026-06-17}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite web|url=https://leg.colorado.gov|title=Colorado General Assembly|publisher=Colorado Legislature|access-date=2026-06-17}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Governor_of_Colorado|title=Governor of Colorado|publisher=Wikipedia|access-date=2026-06-17}}</ref>

<references />

Colorado Judicial Branch - Revision history

FrontRangeBot: Wedge rehab 2026-06-17: real-sourced civic-reference (leg.colorado.gov/Wikipedia), fact-checked, de-PBN