J. Steven Patrick
Welcome to the Seventh Judicial District, State of Colorado Internet website. The Seventh Judicial District is one of 22 in the State of Colorado and is part of the Colorado State Judicial Branch. All employees of the District are State Judicial Employees and all operating budgets are allocated by the State Legislature through the State Judicial Department to the various judicial districts. Facilities are provided by the local County Governments.
The District is located in west central Colorado between the continental divide and the Utah State line. The District is comprised of six counties each with a district and county court. These counties are Delta, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Montrose, Ouray and San Miguel. For purposes of administration, the Office of the Clerk of Court in each county is a Combined Court office. This means that this office provides administrative services to both district and county courts. Montrose County, the largest in population of the six counties, also has an Associate County Court located in the west-end of the county at Nucla, Colorado. The District also contains the office of Division 4 of the Water Court. This court has jurisdiction over water related issues in an area that is even larger than the 10,000 square mile judicial district. The Water Court, Division 4 Office is located in Montrose. Additionally, the District has a probation department that has offices in four locations throughout the District. The District has five district judges, seven county judges, a full-time magistrate, a Water Referee and about sixty staff members serving the public in the judicial branch.
The website contains links to the various locations and different subject matters relevant to this judicial district and to the State Judicial Branch. It is meant to assist the public to understand the system and provide general information on our services. It also provides contact points to every location and function in the district. The judges and employees of the District know that without the understanding of the people, the judicial system’s role in the administration of criminal and civil justice is diminished. We hope that by access through the Internet that the Seventh Judicial District can provide the public with further understanding and build confidence in the third branch of government.