The Role of the Chief Justice, Committees, Supreme Court Staff

The Chief Justice, who is selected by the other justices under a provision of the Colorado Constitution, is the executive head of the Colorado Judicial Branch and is the leader in its administration. In this capacity, Chief Justice Márquez manages an $800 million budget and oversees 4,200 employees of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, State Court Administrator’s office, and twenty-two judicial districts. Reporting directly to the Chief Justice are the Clerk of the Supreme Court, Cheryl L. Stevens, and the State Court Administrator, Steven Vasconcellos. Andrew Rottman is the Counsel to the Chief Justice.

The Chief Justice has authority to issue Chief Justice Directives pertaining to matters of judicial administration. The Chief Justice presides over quarterly meetings of the Chief Judges of the twenty-two judicial districts to discuss matters concerning the administration of justice. The Chief Justice also presides over all conferences, oral arguments, and hearings of the Court; assigns all opinions for authorship; and designates, in consultation with the Court, which justice or justices will serve as liaison to the Court's various committees.

There are over 30 committees and working groups that the justices oversee. For example, Supreme Court committees include the Attorney Regulation Advisory Committee; the Appellate Rules Committee; Board of Law Examiners; Civil Rules Committee; Criminal Rules Committee; Chief Justice Commission on Professional Development; Family Issues Committee; Rules of Professional Conduct Standing Committee; Judicial Ethics Advisory Board; and Water Court Committee, among others. A list of the committees of the Court can be found on the Committees page.

In addition, the Supreme Court and the Colorado Bar Association have jointly established the Access to Justice Commission. The Court maintains a publicly available pro bono legal services law firm commitment and recognition list on the Pro Bono page.

Each justice has three full-time law clerks who provide legal and administrative support. The law clerk responsible for the administrative management of chambers is called the judicial assistant. At the end of 2022, the Court added a part-time Reporter of Decisions, who edits the opinions of the Court. The Court also has three long-term staff attorneys, who provide legal research and guidance to the Court as a whole, serve as staff for some of the Court's committees, and assist with research and analysis of certiorari, habeas corpus, and original proceeding petitions. A fourth staff attorney focuses on court rules and provides legal research, guidance, and administrative support to all of the standing rules committees appointed by the Court.

The Court uses its Homepage to post matters of interest to the public and the bar on the Internet, such as rule changes, Chief Justice Directives, certiorari announcements, original proceeding announcements, and opinions of the Court. On Friday mornings from September through June, the “Case Announcements” page lists the names of the cases for which opinions will be issued the following Monday morning.

Oral Argument, Case Assignment, and Decision-Making

The Supreme Court works collegially. During the typical week, there is much visitation and informal discussion among the justices on all matters pending for decision. The Court has a twelve-month work year. From September through June, the justices meet almost every Thursday in conference to decide all pending matters that are ready for vote. The Court does not meet on Thursdays during the last two weeks of December, on any state holiday falling on a Thursday, the last week in March, and any week when the Court hears oral arguments as part of Courts in the Community. During July and August, the Court does not hold weekly conferences or issue opinions. During this time, the justices write proposed opinions they have not yet presented to the Court for review; attend educational conferences; take their vacations; and vote electronically on pending certiorari petitions and original proceedings.

The Court typically schedules nine to ten oral argument calendars between September and June, with each calendar lasting two or three days. From May 2020 to June 2021, oral arguments were held virtually through Webex due to the pandemic. After oral argument, the justices deliberate and the Chief Justice makes opinion drafting assignments based on the preliminary vote in each case, which is taken after all the cases set on a calendar have been heard. You may watch Oral Arguments live on the Oral Arguments Broadcast page.

The Court also decides cases submitted on the briefs without oral argument, such as interlocutory appeals from suppression orders in criminal cases; review of constitutional or statutory citizen initiative ballot titles set by the Secretary of State's hearing board; original petitions when a Rule to Show Cause has been issued by the Court; and attorney discipline cases.

Generally, four affirmative votes of the seven justices are required to decide any matter coming before the Court, except for grant of a certiorari petition, which requires three votes. However, one or more justices may decide not to participate in a particular case. If an even number of justices are participating in a case, a tie vote among the justices will result in affirming the decision under review by operation of law without an opinion.

During one fall and one spring oral argument calendar, the Court convenes at a high school, college, or law school for oral argument in two cases as part of Courts in the Community. Staff attorneys meet with teachers to help prepare the students in advance for the arguments they will witness. Justices return after oral argument to answer questions, except questions concerning the merits of the cases just argued or other matters pending for decision before the Court.

Thursday Decisional Conference

The Court's weekly decisional conference is called to order at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday mornings. Each justice is expected to attend or, if absent, must leave a vote sheet for all pending matters ready for decision. The Chief Justice presides over the discussion and votes are taken, proceeding from junior to senior justice, with the Chief Justice voting last. Any justice may request a matter to be passed to the next conference for a vote, and the present conference may be used for discussion of the case instead. Passing a matter is a courtesy asked by one justice of the others; a justice's request to pass the case for vote at a future conference is always honored.

The order of business for vote at the Thursday conference follows this order: decisions on proposed final opinions; petitions for rehearing on issued opinions; cases submitted on the briefs without oral argument, followed by assignment of the opinion by the Chief Justice to one of the justices; grant or denial of certiorari petitions; grant or denial of petitions in original proceedings for a Rule to Show Cause under C.A.R. 21 that have not otherwise been voted on during the week; and administrative matters, including rule changes and any other matter concerning governance of the Court or the Judicial Branch. Sometimes, the Court acts to dismiss a certiorari granted matter as "improvidently granted" because the Court, on reflection, determines that the lower court decision should remain without further review.

Decisions of the Court are announced the Monday following the Thursday conference as Case Announcements. Links to the full opinions are posted on the website in the case announcements on Monday, but the case numbers and case captions of opinions to be issued on Mondays are posted the preceding Friday.

Original Petitions/Duty Judge

Original petitions under C.A.R. 21 may be filed with the Clerk of the Court and decided by the Court at any time. Granting review of an original petition, which results in the issuance of an order to show cause, is within the sole discretion of the Court, and rarely occurs. In fiscal year 2023, 234 original petitions were filed with the Court. The Court issued an order to show cause in only 32 of them.

At least four justices must agree to issue such an order, the effect of which is to stay all proceedings in the court below. When received, the Clerk of the Court assigns review of a petition filed by an attorney to one of the seven justices, in random rotation. The assigned justice reports on the petition for vote, with reasons for the grant or deny recommendation, to the other justices by email, at an in-person ad hoc conference of the Court called by the assigned justice at any time, or at the Thursday conference. The assigned justice may, but is not required to issue, a short-term stay or other temporary order pending the Court’s decision on the petition, upon the petitioner’s motion. Petitions filed by persons not represented by counsel are first reviewed by a staff attorney who makes a dispositional recommendation to the Court.

There is a monthly Duty Judge assigned in rotation by the Chief Justice to rule on matters brought to that justice by a staff attorney or the Clerk of the Court, such as motions for amicus curiae appearance, extensions of time, or extended-page briefing.

Certiorari Petitions

Based on the briefs and issues raised and the guidelines set forth in C.A.R. 49, a staff attorney separates out approximately half of the certiorari petitions for circulation and decision without preparation of a certiorari memorandum (“non-memo”). Each justice reviews the intermediate appellate court’s decision, together with the certiorari petition and any response thereto, and votes on whether to deny the petition or request preparation of a certiorari memorandum before a vote is taken.

The other certiorari petitions and those extracted from non-memo consideration by any justice are delivered in random rotation by the Clerk of the Court to the seven chambers. The assigned justice, in turn, then assigns a law clerk to prepare a certiorari memorandum on the case. The assigned justice reviews the certiorari petition, any response thereto, and the memorandum, makes any desired change to the memorandum, and circulates the memorandum along with the underlying appellate court’s opinion to the other six justices, noting on the face of the memorandum the assigned justice’s recommendation regarding which issues, if any, should be taken on certiorari.

Votes of three justices are required to accept a case on certiorari review. The order granting a petition will specify the issues taken for review and those issues for which review is denied. To be voted on at the weekly Thursday decisional conference, certiorari memoranda must be circulated to all the justices by the preceding Friday. During July and August, each justice’s vote is entered on an electronic vote sheet.

Proposed Opinions

Newly proposed majority opinions must be circulated by the authoring justice to the other six justices by 5:00 p.m. Thursday afternoon. Each justice may propose only one new opinion for the next Thursday conference. By noon on Tuesday, all seven justices make known to each other whether they intend to concur with or dissent from a proposed majority opinion that has been scheduled for vote at the Thursday conference. Any justice has until Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. to propose a written concurrence or dissent. The vote on the proposed majority opinion and concurring or dissenting opinions that are ready for vote occurs at the Thursday conference. Any justice, including the authoring justice, may request that the vote be passed to the following week’s conference in favor of a discussion of the matter at the pending conference or because the justice needs more time to consider the matter or to write a concurring or dissenting opinion.

A majority opinion does not argue with a concurring or dissenting opinion; instead it is written to stand on its own. Each justice works to review the proposed opinions of the other justices as a first priority in dealing with pending work. When disagreement between justices occurs on any matter, they confer with each other concerning the disagreement, to the extent possible, before conference. This process results in changes to proposed opinions that are circulated to all of the justices. An opinion that has received a majority vote at the weekly decisional conference is prepared in final slip opinion form, together with any concurring or dissenting opinion, by noon on Friday. The authoring justice's law clerk or judicial assistant is responsible for assembling the required copies for the Clerk’s Office by noon on Friday for distribution upon announcement Monday morning. Each issued opinion is accompanied by a cover page synopsis of the case prepared by the authoring justice.

A justice may determine not to participate in any decision upon considering the Canons of Judicial Conduct. An opinion of the Court will identify any justice who is not participating. A non-participating justice need not explain the reason for not participating.

Judicial Nominating Commissions

The Chief Justice chairs, ex-officio, the statewide Judicial Nominating Commission that selects up to three candidates for each vacancy that occurs periodically on the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals. The other six justices take turns in chairing, ex officio, the twenty-two Judicial District Nominating Commissions that select up to three candidates for each vacancy occurring periodically for district court and county court judgeships. In fiscal year 2023, the justices as a whole chaired 39 nominating commission sessions. These involved 18 vacancies at the County Court level; 23 at the District Court level; and 2 for the Court of Appeals. More information regarding the judicial nominating process is available on the Judicial Nominating Commissions page.

Under the Colorado Constitution, the City and County of Denver has its own nominating commission process for Denver County Court judges.

Supreme Court Library

The Supreme Court Library serves judges, lawyers, staff, and members of the public. It specializes in issue-specific legal research, legal reference, and historical legal research.

The library is open to all members of the bench, bar, and general public. Library services include free access to LexisNexis and other legal databases, use of legal treatises and other print materials in the library, and professional reference and research assistance. The library staff may not provide legal advice; however, all members of the library team are highly skilled in providing access to legal information. Please see the Library’s website for additional information.

Colorado Judicial Learning Center

The Colorado Judicial Learning Center is a 4,000-square-foot museum-style space that includes interactive, fun, and informative exhibits. The Learning Center theme is the rule of law and its operation in state and federal courts. Its many interactive games and displays include judges talking about their daily work, significant milestones in Colorado legal history, simulated trials, and a constitutional gameshow. More information is available on the Learning Center's website.

Conclusion

The Court’s work is multi-faceted. Each justice plays a direct role in all business coming before the Court, unless the justice has determined that he or she should not participate in any particular matter. Upon invitation, justices often participate in civic education programs throughout Colorado.

Outline of Colorado Supreme Court’s Jurisdiction in Constitution, Statutes, and Rules

Colorado Supreme Court Jurisdiction, Colo. Const. Art. VI,

Secs. 1 & 2 (appellate jurisdiction); Secs. 1 & 3 (original jurisdiction)

Certiorari Review, Colo. Const. Art. VI, Secs.  1 & 2

To the Court of Appeals: after judgment, C.A.R. 49(b) & C.R.S. 13-4-108; before judgment, C.A.R. 50 & C.R.S. 13-4-109;

To the District Court on Review of County Court:  C.A.R. 49(a); C.R.S. 13-6-310(4) & 13-6-311(5); and

To the District Court on Review Under C.R.S. 16-19-111 (discretionary review of habeas petitions challenging extradition).

Original Proceedings, Colo. Const. Art. VI, Secs. 1 & 3; C.A.R. 21.

Solemn Occasion Question by Governor or General Assembly, Colo. Const. Art. IV, Sec. 3.

Certification of Question of Colorado Law from Federal Court, C.A.R. 21.1.

Direct Appeal, C.R.S. 13-4-102(1)(b)-(h); Colo. Const. Art. VI, Sec. 2.

Cases in which a statute, a municipal charter provision, or an ordinance have been declared unconstitutional, C.R.S. 13-4-102(1)(b);

Public Utilities Commission District Court Judgment Review, C.R.S. 13-4-102(1)(c) & C.R.S. 40-6-115(5);

Water Court Appeals, C.R.S. 13-4-102(1)(d);

Habeas Corpus Appeals, C.R.S. 13-4-102(1)(e);

Municipal Election Contest Review, C.R.S. 31-10-1305;

Initiative Ballot Title Setting Review, C.R.S. 1-40-107(2);

Review of District Court Decision Concerning the Sufficiency of Signatures, C.R.S. 1-40-119;

Death Penalty Judgment Review, C.R.S. 18-1.3-1201(6)(a) & C.A.R. 4(c);

Postconviction Appeals in which a Sentence of Death Has Been Imposed before July 1, 2020, C.R.S. 13-4-102(1)(h).

Election Controversy Judgment Review, C.R.S. 1-1-113(3).

Review of State Commissions' Plans, Colo. Const. Art. V, Sec. 44.5 (Independent Congressional Redistricting Commission) & 48.3 (Independent Commission-Colorado legislative districts); see also Colo. Const. Art. V, Sec. 44.3(4) & 48.1(4); Colo. Const. Art. V, Sec. 44.4(5)(b), (6) & 48.2(5)(b), (6).

Attorney Discipline and Attorney Disability Judgment Review, C.R.C.P. 242.33(a) & 243.12(b).

Decisions on Judicial Discipline, Colo. Const. Art. VI, sec. 23; Colo. R.J.D. 37-40.

Interlocutory Appeal By Prosecution, Order Returning Property or Suppressing Evidence, Transferring Venue, or Disqualifying Prosecutor in Criminal Cases, C.A.R. 4.1; C.R.S. 16-12-102(2).