Background

County governments are responsible for providing adequate courtrooms and other court facilities to ensure access to justice for all Colorado citizens. In recent years, many factors have negatively impacted county abilities to meet this responsibility including the allocation of additional judges to meet expanding caseloads, aging facilities, and unexpected events such as natural disasters and other health and safety concerns. The financial limitations of some counties have resulted in necessary maintenance and improvements being delayed or hindered for years, thus exacerbating existing health, safety, and operational problems.

To address these issues, the General Assembly passed HB14-1096 (codified in Section 13-1-301 to 306, C.R.S.), establishing the Underfunded Courthouse Facility Cash Fund Commission (Commission) and a corresponding cash fund and grant program. The Commission includes seven members from various entities across Colorado: 

• Judge Mark MacDonnell, Chair, Chief Judge, 16th Judicial District
• Judge Eric Elliff, 2nd Judicial District 
• Dwayne McFall, County Commissioner, Fremont County
• Tyler Ratzliff, County Commissioner, Rio Grande County
• Bruce Eisenhauer, Legislative Liaison, Department of Local Affairs
• Patrick Eidman, Chief Preservation Officer, State Historical Fund, History Colorado
• Peggy Gentles, Court Executive, 14th Judicial District, as member from the Court Security Cash Fund Commission

The General Assembly appropriates general funds to support the cash fund. The Commission then works with the State Court Administrator's Office to solicit, evaluate, and award grants based on statutory criteria and other factors.

Grant Program

Grants can be used only for projects in facilities containing a state court or probation office. Grants can be used for master planning services, matching funds for construction or remodeling projects (or to leverage additional grant funding opportunities), and emergency needs due to the imminent closure of a courthouse. Grant monies cannot be used as the sole source of funding for new construction unless the need is associated with an imminent closure situation. In addition, grant funds cannot be used to pay for furniture, fixtures, or equipment. 

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

1. Counties in which the total population is below the state median.
2. Counties in which the per capita income is below the state median.
3. Counties in which the property tax revenues are below the state median.
4. Counties in which the county population below the federal poverty line is above the state median.

Counties meeting all four criteria are considered to be highest priority for funding.

2024 Underfunded Courthouse Facility Cash Fund Grants 

The grant application period has closed. Over $2 million was awarded to the following counties for 2024:

The Commission can also award imminent closure grants to address emergency needs. Imminent closure is defined as a facility with health, life, or safety issues that impact court employees or other users as determined by the State Court Administrator in consultation with the State's risk management system or other professionals. Imminent closure concerns include problems with air quality, water intrusion, temperature control, structural conditions that cannot be reasonably mitigated, fire and electrical hazards, and utility issues. Certain health, life, or safety issues may require additional third-party evaluations such as environmental or structural engineering reviews.

Imminent closure grant applications can be submitted throughout the calendar year via the Department's online grant management system, AmpliFund, using the link in the "Special Announcements" section on the right sidebar. 

Direct all inquiries and questions to:

Grants Specialist

Office of the State Court Administrator

1300 Broadway, Suite 1200, Denver, Colorado 80203

UFF@judicial.state.co.us | 720-625-5841