C.R.S. Section 13-6-501
County court magistrates

  • qualifications
  • duties

(1)

In Class A counties, as defined in section 13-6-201, county court magistrates may be appointed by the presiding judge.

(2)

In Class B counties, as defined in section 13-6-201, county court magistrates may be appointed pursuant to section 13-3-105, if approved by the chief justice.

(3)

Any county court magistrate shall be a qualified attorney-at-law admitted to practice in the state of Colorado and in good standing; except that a county court magistrate who hears only class A and class B traffic infraction matters need not be an attorney-at-law and except that any duly appointed county judge may act as a traffic magistrate regardless of whether he is an attorney-at-law.

(4)

Subject to the provision that no magistrate may preside in any trial by jury, county court magistrates have power to hear the following matters:

(a)

Class 2 misdemeanor traffic offenses and class A and class B traffic infractions, as defined in section 42-4-1701, C.R.S.;

(a.5)

Civil infractions, as described in section 16-2.3-101;

(b)

Such other matters as determined by rule of the supreme court.

(4.5)

County court magistrates shall have the power to solemnize marriages pursuant to the procedures in section 14-2-109, C.R.S.

(4.7)

County court magistrates shall have the power to preside over matters specified in section 13-17.5-105.

(5)

Except in class A and class B traffic infraction matters and civil infraction matters, before a county court magistrate may hear any matter, all parties shall have waived, on the record, their right to proceed before a county judge. If any party fails to waive such right, or objects to the magistrate, that party’s case must be rereferred to a county judge.

(6)

Magistrates, when handling county court matters, class A and class B traffic infraction matters, and civil infraction matters, and where the parties to such proceedings, other than traffic infraction matters, have waived their right to proceed before a county judge, have all the jurisdiction and power of a county judge, and their orders and judgments are those of the county court.

(7)

Procedure in matters heard by a county court magistrate shall be determined by statute and by rules promulgated by the supreme court and by local rules.

(8)

The duties, qualifications, compensation, conditions of employment, and other administrative details concerning magistrates who hear traffic infraction matters and civil infraction matters not set forth in this part 5 are established pursuant to section 13-3-105.

(9)

The supreme court shall adopt such rules and regulations as it deems necessary or proper to carry out the provisions of this part 5 relating to traffic infraction matters and civil infraction matters, including, but not limited to, procedural matters.

(10)

Existing space provided by a county, including already existing courtroom and administrative space, shall be used to the maximum extent possible for hearings on traffic infraction matters.

(11)

Before any county court magistrate is appointed pursuant to the provisions of this part 5, the judicial department shall consult with the board of county commissioners of the affected county or counties regarding any additional space or facilities that may be required. All feasible alternatives shall be considered and the least costly alternative shall be accepted by the department whenever practicable.

Source: Section 13-6-501 — County court magistrates - qualifications - duties, https://leg.­colorado.­gov/sites/default/files/images/olls/crs2023-title-13.­pdf (accessed Oct. 20, 2023).

13‑6‑101
Establishment 13‑6‑102
Court of record 13‑6‑103
Statewide jurisdiction 13‑6‑104
Original civil jurisdiction 13‑6‑105
Specific limits on civil jurisdiction 13‑6‑106
Original criminal jurisdiction 13‑6‑201
Classification of counties 13‑6‑202
Number of judges 13‑6‑203
Qualifications of judges 13‑6‑204
Activities of judges 13‑6‑205
Term and appointment of judges 13‑6‑206
Vacancies 13‑6‑208
Special associate, associate, and assistant county judges 13‑6‑209
Special associate and associate county judges - designated counties 13‑6‑211
Appointment of clerk 13‑6‑212
Duties of clerk 13‑6‑214
Other employees 13‑6‑215
Presiding judges 13‑6‑216
Judges to sit separately 13‑6‑217
Judges may sit en banc 13‑6‑218
Assignment of county judges and retired county judges to other courts authorized 13‑6‑219
Judge as party to a case - recusal of judge upon motion 13‑6‑301
Court rules 13‑6‑302
Terms of court 13‑6‑303
Place of holding court 13‑6‑304
Court facilities 13‑6‑305
Maintenance of records 13‑6‑306
Seal 13‑6‑307
Process 13‑6‑308
Juries 13‑6‑309
Verbatim record of proceedings 13‑6‑310
Appeals from county court 13‑6‑311
Appeals from county court - simplified procedure 13‑6‑401
Legislative declaration 13‑6‑402
Establishment of small claims division 13‑6‑403
Jurisdiction of small claims court - limitations 13‑6‑404
Clerk of the small claims court 13‑6‑405
Magistrate in small claims court 13‑6‑406
Schedule of hearings 13‑6‑407
Parties - representation 13‑6‑408
Counterclaims exceeding jurisdiction of small claims court - procedures - sanctions for improper assertion 13‑6‑409
Trial procedure 13‑6‑410
Appeal of a claim 13‑6‑411
Limitation on number of claims filed 13‑6‑411.5
Place of trial 13‑6‑412
Notice to public 13‑6‑413
Supreme court shall promulgate rules 13‑6‑414
No jury trial 13‑6‑415
Service of process 13‑6‑416
Facilities 13‑6‑417
Execution and proceedings subsequent to judgment 13‑6‑501
County court magistrates - qualifications - duties 13‑6‑502
Jury trials 13‑6‑503
Evidence offered by officer 13‑6‑504
Appeals procedure
Green check means up to date. Up to date

Current through Fall 2024

§ 13-6-501’s source at colorado​.gov