Responding to the District of Colorado’s Need for Additional Support, the Senators’ Legislation Would Add Seats to the Bench for the First Time Since 1984
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet introduced the Colorado Judgeship Act to add three district judges to the District of Colorado. The increase in judges responds to a need for additional support on Colorado’s district court bench as the state’s population increases.
“Colorado’s population is almost double what it was in 1984, but we haven’t added a single judge to Colorado district courts since then,” said Hickenlooper. “More federal judges means more justice for Coloradans.”
“Our courts are integral to a fair and efficient justice system, but as Colorado’s population continues to grow, the District of Colorado is strained,” said Bennet. “By adding three seats to the bench, our legislation will provide much-needed support to Colorado’s district court.”
With Colorado’s growing population, the District Court of Colorado’s average weighted caseload per judge is well above that of the nation. The Colorado Judgeship Act would allow the president to appoint three additional judges to Colorado’s district court to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate. This would be the first increase in judges on Colorado’s district court since 1984.
The bill text is available HERE. A one-page summary is available HERE.
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