Senate Bill 25-024

BY SENATOR(S) Roberts and Frizell, Amabile, Ball, Bridges, Cutter, Daugherty, Exum, Gonzales J., Hinrichsen, Jodeh, Kipp, Michaelson Jenet, Mullica, Rodriguez, Simpson, Snyder, Sullivan, Weissman, Coleman;

also REPRESENTATIVE(S) Carter and Soper, Bacon, Bird, Boesenecker, Camacho, Clifford, Duran, Espenoza, Garcia, Gonzalez R., Hamrick, Joseph, Lieder, Lindsay, Lukens, Mabrey, Marshall, Phillips, Pugliese, Rutinel, Sirota, Titone, Valdez, Velasco, Willford, Woodrow, Zokaie, McCluskie.

Concerning judicial officers, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:

SECTION 1.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 13-5-105, add (2)(i) and (2)(j) as follows:

13-5-105.  Fourth district. (2) (i)  Subject to available appropriations, effective July 1, 2025, the number of judges for the fourth judicial district is twenty-five.

(j)  Subject to available appropriations, effective July 1, 2026, the number of judges for the fourth judicial district is twenty-six.

SECTION 2.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 13-5-108, amend (2)(c); and add (2)(d) as follows:

13-5-108.  Seventh district. (2) (c)  Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a) of this subsection (2), Subject to available appropriations, effective July 1, 2011, the number of judges for the seventh judicial district shall beis five.

(d)  Subject to available appropriations, effective July 1, 2026, the number of judges for the seventh judicial district is six.

SECTION 3.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 13-5-114, add (2)(c) as follows:

13-5-114.  Thirteenth district. (2) (c)  Subject to available appropriations, effective July 1, 2026, the number of judges for the thirteenth judicial district is six.

SECTION 4.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 13-5-118, add (2)(h) and (2)(i) as follows:

13-5-118.  Seventeenth district. (2) (h)  Subject to available appropriations, effective July 1, 2025, the number of judges for the seventeenth judicial district is seventeen.

(i)  Subject to available appropriations, effective July 1, 2026, the number of judges for the seventeenth judicial district is eighteen.

SECTION 5.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 13-5-119, amend (2)(e); and add (2)(d)(VIII) and (2)(d)(IX) as follows:

13-5-119.  Eighteenth district. (2) (d) (VIII)  Subject to available appropriations, effective July 1, 2025, the number of judges for the eighteenth judicial district is eighteen.

(IX)  Subject to available appropriations, effective July 1, 2026, the number of judges for the eighteenth judicial district is nineteen.

(e)  The district judges regularly assigned to Arapahoe county shall maintain their offices in one location within Arapahoe countymay maintain offices outside of the county seat.

SECTION 6.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 13-5-120, add (2)(i) as follows:

13-5-120.  Nineteenth district. (2) (i)  Subject to available appropriations, effective July 1, 2026, the number of judges for the nineteenth judicial district is twelve.

SECTION 7.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 13-5-123.1, add (3) as follows:

13-5-123.1.  Twenty-third district. (3)  Subject to available appropriations, effective July 1, 2025, the number of judges for the twenty-third judicial district is nine.

SECTION 8.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, repeal and reenact, with amendments, 13-6-202 as follows:

13-6-202.  Number of judges. (1)  There is one county judge in each county, except that:

(a)  Subject to available appropriations, the number of county judges in the county of Jefferson is nine;

(b)  Subject to available appropriations, the number of county judges in the county of El Paso is ten;

(c)  Subject to available appropriations, the number of county judges in the county of Adams is eight;

(d)  Subject to available appropriations, the number of county judges in the county of Arapahoe is eight;

(e)  Subject to available appropriations, the number of county judges in the county of Boulder is five;

(f)  Subject to available appropriations, the number of county judges in the county of Pueblo is three;

(g)  Subject to available appropriations, the number of county judges in the city and county of Denver is the number of county judges provided by the charter and ordinances thereof;

(h)  (I)  Subject to available appropriations, the number of county judges in the county of Larimer is five; and

(II)  Subject to available appropriations, effective July 1, 2026, the number of county judges in the county of Larimer is six;

(i) (I)  Subject to available appropriations, the number of county judges in the county of Douglas is three; and

(II)  Subject to available appropriations, effective July 1, 2026, the number of county judges in the county of Douglas is four;

(j)  Subject to available appropriations, effective July 1, 2025, the number of county judges in the county of La Plata is two;

(k) (I)  Subject to available appropriations, the number of county judges in the county of Mesa is three; and

(II)  Subject to available appropriations, effective July 1, 2026, the number of county judges in the county of Mesa is four;

(l)  Subject to available appropriations, the number of county judges in the county of Weld is four; and

(m)  Subject to available appropriations, effective July 1, 2026, the number of county judges in the county of Eagle is two.

(2) (a)  One of the county judges in Boulder county shall maintain a courtroom in the city of Longmont at least three days per week.

(b)  A judge of the Eagle county court shall conduct court business in that portion of Eagle county lying in the Roaring Fork river drainage area in a manner sufficient to deal with the business before the court.

SECTION 9.  Appropriation. (1)  For the 2025-26 state fiscal year, $2,638,326 is appropriated to the judicial department for use by the state courts. This appropriation is from the general fund. To implement this act, the state courts may use this appropriation as follows:

(a)  $2,120,626 for use by trial courts for trial court programs, which amount is based on an assumption that the trial courts will require an additional 17.5 FTE;

(b)  $115,500 for capital outlay; and

(c)  $402,200 for courthouse furnishings and infrastructure

maintenance.

(2)  For the 2025-26 state fiscal year, $621,337 is appropriated to the judicial department for use by the office of state public defender. This appropriation is from the general fund. To implement this act, the office may use this appropriation as follows:

(a)  $557,311 for personal services, which amount is based on an assumption that the office will require an additional 6.7 FTE;

(b)  $8,576 for operating expenses;

(c)  $46,690 for capital outlay;

(d)  $760 for attorney registration; and

(e)  $8,000 for training.

SECTION 10.  Safety clause. The general assembly finds, determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety or for appropriations for the support and maintenance of the departments of the state and state institutions.