Facilities

Colorado’s State court and probation facilities are county-owned.  As a result, considerable cooperation between state and local officials is required.  Facilities staff within the Divison provides services, technical support, and information for Judicial Branch managers and County officials with regard to the planning, design, and construction of new or remodeled court and probation facilities.  Staff is available to provide support throughout the design process including the selection of design professionals and contractors, space planning, conceptual design, schematic design, design development, and construction administration.  Technical assistance and consultations regarding courthouse security issues, courtroom technology, furnishings, fixtures, and associated equipment can also be provided.

Staff within the Division is also responsible for maintaining the Judicial/Heritage Complex, which includes the Colorado Judicial Building (housing the State Supreme Court and Court of Appeals) and the adjacent Colorado History Museum.

Court Security

The Court Security Grant program provides funding for counties to improve courthouse security under a program established by the Colorado General Assembly to help counties meet security needs without removing funding from other important county programs. Through an application process, the Court Security Grant program provides supplemental funding for both “priority” and “non-priority” counties to hire additional security personnel, buy security-related equipment, and provide additional training. Counties may also apply throughout the year for funding to deal with extraordinary costs associated with court security emergencies, such as high-risk or high-profile trials. Pursuant to the legislation, “priority” counties are those that meet at least two of the following criteria: population below the state median, per-capita income below the state median, property tax revenues below the state median, or counties in which total population living below the federal poverty level is greater than the state median. Each grant cycle, funding is also made for counties that do not meet these criteria.