Lesson 4 of 5
Jury Duty in Colorado
Your constitutional role as a juror, who serves, and your protections.
The text
In criminal prosecutions the accused shall have the right to appear and defend in person and by counsel; to demand the nature and cause of the accusation; to meet the witnesses against him face to face; to have process to compel the attendance of witnesses in his behalf, and a speedy public trial by an impartial jury of the county or district in which the offense is alleged to have been committed.
The right of trial by jury shall remain inviolate in criminal cases; but a jury in civil cases in all courts, or in criminal cases in courts not of record, may consist of less than twelve persons, as may be prescribed by law. Hereafter a grand jury shall consist of twelve persons, any nine of whom concurring may find an indictment; provided, the general assembly may change, regulate or abolish the grand jury system; and provided, further, the right of any person to serve on any jury shall not be denied or abridged on account of sex, and the general assembly may provide by law for the exemption from jury service of persons or classes of persons.
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.
In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
Your constitutional role
Colorado guarantees "a speedy public trial by an impartial jury of the county or district in which the offense is alleged to have been committed" (Article II, Section 16) and declares that "the right of trial by jury shall remain inviolate in criminal cases" (Section 23). Those promises depend on citizens who show up.
Section 23 also sets the grand jury at twelve persons, any nine of whom may indict, and lets the General Assembly change or abolish the grand jury system. It forbids denying anyone jury service "on account of sex," and allows the legislature to set exemptions.
Who serves
Under the Colorado Uniform Jury Selection and Service Act (C.R.S. Title 13, Article 71), a juror must be a U.S. citizen who lives in the county (or lives there more than half the time), at least 18, and able to read, speak and understand English; you need not be a registered voter (C.R.S. 13-71-105). You may also claim a disqualification if, for example, you served as an impaneled juror in any court in the past twelve months or already appeared as a prospective state-court juror earlier in the same calendar year. Names are drawn at random from a master list built from voter registration and driver's license lists, which may be supplemented by other state lists (C.R.S. 13-71-107). The court can postpone or excuse service for hardship; your summons explains how to ask.
Your protections
Colorado uses a "one day/one trial" system: trial-juror service is a one-day term unless you are seated on a trial that is still under way, in which case you serve through that trial (C.R.S. 13-71-120). Grand jurors serve longer terms.
- Pay: Employers must pay regularly employed jurors their regular wages, up to $50 per day unless employer and employee agree to more, for the first three days of service (C.R.S. 13-71-126). From the fourth day on, the state pays $50 per day (C.R.S. 13-71-129). Jurors who are not regularly employed may ask for reimbursement of travel, child care and similar out-of-pocket costs for the first three days, up to $50 per day (C.R.S. 13-71-128).
- Job protection: An employer may not deprive an employed juror of employment or its benefits because of jury service (C.R.S. 13-71-134).
What to expect
Respond to the summons by the deadline and follow its instructions for confirming, the day before, whether you must report. During jury selection, answer questions honestly. If chosen, you decide the facts from the evidence and apply the law as the judge instructs. Your service is one of the most direct ways a citizen exercises self-government.
Not legal advice. Contact the jury commissioner for your judicial district with specific questions.
Sources: Colorado Judicial Branch, Information for Employers; C.R.S. Title 13, Article 71 (official 2024 PDF).
Check your understanding
This lesson is educational and is not legal advice. Laws and procedures change; confirm current rules with the official sources linked above.