Colorado Court Types

District Courts have general jurisdiction over all civil and criminal cases, and typicaly handle cases that are beyond the jurisdiction of other courts.

Criminal cases heard by District Courts include felonies and lesser-included offenses.

Civil cases heard by District Courts include general civil claims without financial limits. District Courts also handle domestic relations, probate matters, juvenile matters, adoptions, paternity and mental health cases.

Cases typically handled by District Courts include divorce and related cases such as child custody, child support and division of marital property.

District Courts share jurisdiction over domestic violence protection orders with
County Courts and Municipal Courts.

Denver County has a separate Probate Court and a separate Juvenile Court that handle probate matters and juvenile cases.

County Courts have limited jurisdiction over certain types of cases.

Criminal cases heard by County Courts include misdemeanors, petty offenses and preliminary hearings for all types of criminal cases. County Courts share criminal jurisdiction with District Courts.

Civil cases heard by County Courts include most general civil cases for less than $15,000. Cases typically heard by County Courts include the foreclosure of liens and actions for forcible entry or unlawful detainer when there is no dispute over the boundary or title to real property.

Landlord-tenant cases are heard by County Courts if claims for damages are less than $15,000, if the case also involves a monthly rental value of less than $15,000.

Each County Court has a Small Claims division for most general civil cases with less than $7,500 in dispute. The Small Claims division cannot handle certain types of cases, including claims for defamation, libel, slander, forcible entry, forcible detainer, unlawful detainer, class action lawsuits, most types of injunctive relief, some types of contract cases, traffic violations and criminal matters. There is no right to a jury trial in the Small Claims division.

County Courts share jurisdiction with District Courts over name changes and requests for temporary and permanent civil restraining orders, including protection orders.

County Courts do not have jurisdiction over cases involving probate issues, mental health (including commitment, restoration to competence and the appointment of conservators), divorce, annulment, legal separation, matters involving children (including custody, child support, guardianship, adoption and delinquency) and matters involving disputes over boundaries or title to real property.

Municipal Courts have jurisdiction over violations of city and town ordinances.

Municipal Courts share jurisdiction with District Courts and County Courts over cases involving civil Protection Orders.

Water Courts have specialized jurisdiction over certain types of civil cases related to water rights.

Water Courts have exclusive jurisdiction over many cases related to water, including the use and administration of water.

Water Courts are located at each of the seven major river basins in Colorado.

In Denver County, a separate Probate Court exists and handles probate cases instead of District Court.

In Denver County, there is a separate Juvenile Court that handles most juvenile matters instead of District Court.