Bill to Increase Judges and Boost Access to Justice Goes Into Effect
DENVER, CO – On July 1, 2025, bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco, and Representative Michael Carter, D-Aurora, goes into effect. 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 Roberts. “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 its 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 Carter. “When cases are continuously pushed back, justice for victims and their families is delayed, while potentially innocent Coloradans sit in jail awaiting trial. 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 over the next two years. Beginning on July 1, 2025 and spread over the next two years, specific districts will be allocated the funding to hire more district and county judges.
The new law also allocates funds for courts to hire public defenders, deputy district attorneys, sheriff deputies, behavioral health court professionals and support staff. 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.
Governor Polis and Lieutenant Governor Primavera have already made several appointments to fill the new judgeships, effective July 1, 2025. These include:
Kelly J. McPherson to the 4th Judicial District Court,
Sara S. Price to the 17th Judicial District Court,
Stacy K. Guillon to the 23rd Judicial District Court,
James X. Quinn to the 18th Judicial District Court,
Kimbra L. Killin to the 13th Judicial District Court, and
Richard E. Schmittel, Jr., to the La Plata County Court in the 6th Judicial District.
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.