| Jury trials resume in the 22nd Judicial District |
Tuesday, April 6, 2021
CORTEZ, Colo. – Jury trials resumed this week in both district and county courts in the 22nd Judicial District (Dolores and Montezuma counties).
Trials by jury are fundamental to the American system of justice, but the pandemic forced a near-total suspension of jury trials in the district and in Colorado through orders from former Colorado Supreme Chief Justice Nathan B. Coats and 22nd Judicial District Chief Judge Douglas Walker.
With the increasing availability of vaccines, particularly to those most vulnerable to COVID-19, and improved metrics related to the disease, the time to resume jury trials has arrived.
Chief Judge Walker has adopted a jury trial plan in consultation with other judges, court staff, attorneys and others. The plan involves a health screening for arriving participants including jurors, social distancing, required use of masks and other appropriate measures to ensure the safety of all participants.
There are two courthouses within the 22nd Judicial District to which jurors may be summoned.
Those with questions about jury service should contact the jury commissioner for each courthouse: https://www.courts.state.co.us/Courts/District/Jury.cfm?District_ID=22
The courts will continue to use videoconferencing for hearings and other court appearances.