By Michael Karlik | Colorado Politics
Legislation to add 15 new judgeships in trial courts across the state is headed to the governor’s desk for signature, as Colorado’s House of Representatives approved the bill on Thursday with no votes in opposition.
Senate Bill 24 is the Judicial Department’s top legislative priority, and was originally intended to add 29 new judgeships over a two-year period. Three of those would have gone to the Court of Appeals, and the remaining positions were earmarked for various trial courts. However, due to budgetary concerns, lawmakers scaled back the bill to add just 15 new seats over the next two years.
“We are grateful to the bill sponsors and the General Assembly for moving this bill through the legislative process, especially in this tight budget year,” said Chief Justice Monica M. Márquez. “We know legislators are making hard decisions on funding requests, and we thank them for supporting our courts’ ability to serve their communities. These new judges are a critical resource that will improve the public’s access to the court system and the timely resolution of disputes.”