Colorado Judicial Branch - Administration - Financial Services - Underfunded Courthouse Facility Commission

Underfunded Courthouse Facility Commission

Background

The responsibility for providing adequate courtrooms and other court facilities lies with the individual county governments. However, courthouses across Colorado are impacted by expanding caseloads, the allocation of new judges to the district, or the aging of existing courtroom facilities. These circumstances cause operational and safety impacts to the performance of judicial activities. In some areas, the necessary maintenance and improvements to the courthouse have been delayed or are hindered by the financial limitations of the county. The Judicial Branch worked with the General Assembly to create the Commission to assist these counties and ensure that the courthouses meet current safety standards.

The Underfunded Courthouse Facility Commission was established by the General Assembly in 2014 as a result of House Bill 14-1096, which created the Commission and the corresponding cash fund. The goal of the Commission is to provide supplemental grant funds to counties in need of financial assistance for courthouse facility projects. The Commission includes seven members from various entities across Colorado.

Judge Mark MacDonnell, Chair, Chief Judge, 16th Judicial District
Dwayne McFall, County Commissioner, Fremont County
Judge Eric Elliff, 2nd Judicial District
Bruce Eisenhauer, Deputy Executive Director, Department of Local Affairs
Tom Flower, County Commissioner, Custer County
Chris Bowles, Director, State Historical Fund, History Colorado
Amy Waddle, District Administrator, 20th Judicial District

Grants

Purpose: Colorado statute 13-1-301, C.R.S. created the Underfunded Courthouse Facilities Commission and Fund to provide supplemental funding for courthouse facility projects in the counties with the most limited financial resources. Grants can only be used for projects in a facility containing a state court or probation office. The grants can be used to pay for master planning services, matching funds (or leveraging additional grant funding opportunities) for construction/remodeling projects, or addressing emergency needs due to the imminent closure of a courthouse. Grant funds cannot be used as the sole source of funding for new construction, unless the need is associated with the imminent closure of a courthouse. In addition, grant funds cannot be used to pay for furniture, fixtures, or equipment.

Who is eligible to apply: Counties must meet at least two of the following four pieces of criteria to be eligible to apply for and receive grants:

Counties in which the total population is below the state median;
Counties in which the per capita income is below the state median;
Counties in which the property tax revenues are below the state median; or
Counties in which the county population below the federal poverty line is above the state median.

Counties that meet all four pieces of criteria are deemed to be the highest priority counties. The Commission works with the State Demographer at the Department of Local Affairs to obtain this data and publishes the list of eligible counties for each grant round.

2024 Grant Awards

Dolores County	$65,000
Huerfano County	$16,265
Las Animas County	$930,000

The Colorado Office of Policy, Research and Regulatory Reform is currently conducting a sunset review of the Underfunded Courthouse Facility Cash Fund Commission. Analysis is performed to determine if section 13-1-301 et seq. of the Colorado Revised Statutes regarding the Commission are necessary and should be continued, modified, or repealed. To provide input on this review, please visit: https://coprrr.colorado.gov/participate.

Direct any grant questions to:

Audrey Boller
Office of the State Court Administrator
720-625-5841

UFF@judicial.state.co.us