Like all other state court systems in the United States, the Colorado courtsystem resembles the structure of a pyramid. The highest court in the state is the Colorado Supreme Court. In other words, it is the court of last resort. Under normal circumstances, the cases from the Court of Appeals are generally moved on to the next level that is filed in the Colorado Supreme Court. But there have been exceptions in the past when individuals have filed their petitions in the Supreme Court directly contesting the verdict passed by the lower courts in the state.
The Court of Appeals occupies the next level in the Colorado court system. Anyone can file a petition in the court of appeals seeking a review of the decision made by the lower courts, namely the Denver Probate Court, the district courts in the state and the Denver Juvenile Court. It also has the power to reconsider the decisions of the state administrative agencies. Its decision on a particular appeal is considered to be final until and unless the state Supreme Court takes it up.
The trial courts make up the rest of the Colorado courtsystem. These include the Water Courts, the County Courts and the District Courts. The jurisdiction of each of these courts differs.
Cases pertaining to civil matters are filed in the District Courts. The jurisdiction of the district courts lies over matters related to criminal activities, cases of mental health, juvenile crimes, domestic relations and probates. If a petitioner is dissatisfied with the verdict of the district courts, then he can file for a review of the decision in the next level of Colorado courts that is the Colorado Court of Appeals.
County Courts occupy the lowest position in the judicial system of the state. Cases that involve monetary issues up to $15,000 and involving actions like felony complaints, misdemeanors, small claims, traffic infractions and protection orders. County court decisions can be taken up and looked into by the district courts, if the petitioner is not happy with the outcome of the case.
Another important Colorado court is the Water courts of the state. The purview and jurisdiction of the cases filed in these courts is rather limited. Cases filed in these courts include ones related to the use of water and water rights. All in all there are seven water courts in the state, one for each of the main river basins.
Then there is the Probate court situated in the city of Denver. It has within its jurisdiction the county and the city of Denver. It is also called the 24th Judicial District. The creation of the court came with the implementation of Article VI & 9(3) and exercises its jurisdiction over matters concerning appointment of guardians, adjudication of the mentally ill, settlements involving deceased people and their account settlements. There is also the Denver Juvenile Court that deals with juvenile delinquencies.
Information on Colorado court cases can be found online on various government websites. The most trusted source of information is PACER or the Public Access to Court Electronic Records system. Once can search for information by typing the details of the parties involved in the case. The system is maintained by the Administrative Office of the United States Courts. The courts maintain their own electronic records. These records are mainly scanned copies of the court documents. One can find all relevant information right from the time the case was filed in the courts to the final verdict.
