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DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Dylan Roberts and Representative Michael Carter into law. SB25-024 adds 15 judges across Colorado to decrease wait times for court cases.
“As a former deputy district attorney, I know how important it is to have an adequate number of judges serving our communities.,” said Sen. Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco. “Over and over again, we’ve heard from judges, attorneys, victims, and litigants who are hurting from an overburdened court system. Adding 15 new judges to Colorado’s judicial system is a major step forward that will help Colorado fulfill it’s fundamental duty to provide timely access to justice.”
“The right to a speedy trial is guaranteed in our constitution, but the shortage of judges and other judicial staff makes it unrealistic to schedule cases in a reasonable timeframe,” said Rep. Michael Carter, D-Aurora. “When cases are continuously pushed back, victims and their families are delayed justice and innocent Coloradans sit in jail awaiting trial. Federal-level threats on our judges and courts only exacerbate workload and staffing issues. Our new law increases the number of judges, attorneys and other staff to cut down on wait times, protect the autonomy of judicial actors and improve access to justice.”
SB25-024, also sponsored by Sen. Lisa Frizell, R-Castle Rock, and Rep. Matt Soper, R-Delta, increases the number of district and county judges by 15 judges for criminal and civil court cases. The new law also allocates funds for courts to add public defenders, deputy district attorneys, sheriff deputies, behavioral health court professionals and support staff. Under the law, Judicial Districts 4, 7, 13, 17, 18, 19 and 23 and Larimer, Douglas, La Plata, Mesa and Eagle counties will see at least one additional judge.
In early 2025, Colorado Supreme Court Chief Justice Monica Márquez made a plea to the Colorado General Assembly to add judges during the annual State of the Judiciary address.