Colorado district courts

Colorado district courts are the state trial courts of general jurisdiction in the U.S. state of Colorado, and are similar to what are referred to as "circuit courts" or other terms in other U.S. states.

They have original jurisdiction in civil cases with any amount in controversy; felony criminal cases, domestic relations, family law, and cases involving minors cases (including adoption, dependency, juvenile delinquency, and paternity actions), probate, and mental health cases.

The Colorado district courts are established by the Colorado Constitution, Article VI (Judicial Department), Sections 9–12.{{cite constitution |article = VI |clause = |section = 9-12 |polity = Colorado |date = 1876 |url =http://www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/colorado/sendSearch.asp?source=138373&tocdisplay=on |

Appeals from the district court go to the intermediate appellate court, the Colorado Court of Appeals, and in some cases go directly to Colorado Supreme Court, which is the state supreme court.

The lower Colorado county courts, which are courts of limited jurisdiction, handle civil cases under $15,000. Decisions from the county courts may be appealed to the district courts. Unlike a common practice where appeals are reviewed by a panel of at least three judges, the Colorado district courts act in dual capacity (i.e. as trial courts and as appellate courts), thus each appeal is decided by a single judge. Per C.R.S. 13-6-310(4) further appeal cannot be reviewed by the Court of Appeals, and is only upon writ of certiorari issued in the discretion of Colorado Supreme Court.