Justice Melissa Hart announced her retirement from the Colorado Supreme Court, effective January 5, 2026. The process to select her successor will begin soon, with applications expected to open in early January. More information for interested attorneys will be released within the next two weeks.
The Supreme Court Nominating Commission is responsible for submitting three nominees to the Governor within 30 days of Justice Hart’s retirement. Once these names are received, the Governor has 15 days to appoint the new justice. Interviews by the commission are anticipated to take place in early February.
Applicants must be qualified electors in Colorado and have been admitted to practice law in the state for at least five years. The annual salary for a Supreme Court Justice is currently $221,301.96. Upon appointment, a justice serves an initial provisional term of two years; if retained by voters, subsequent terms last ten years. Application forms can be obtained from Chief Justice Monica Márquez’s office or through the court’s website at https://www.coloradojudicial.gov/careers/judge-opportunities.
Further details about the Supreme Court Nominating Commission are available at https://www.coloradojudicial.gov/sites/default/files/2025-12/SC_Roster.pdf.
The Colorado Judicial Branch oversees courts throughout all counties and judicial districts in Colorado, including trial and specialized courts as well as appellate reviews through its statewide network (https://www.courts.state.co.us). The branch provides public access to records and resources such as self-help tools and online payments while promoting transparency and public trust (https://www.courts.state.co.us). Its appellate courts—including the Supreme Court—are housed at the Ralph L. Carr Colorado Judicial Center in Denver (https://www.courts.state.co.us).
“The process to select the next Colorado Supreme Court Justice will commence soon. Qualified attorneys are invited to apply, and more details will be released in the coming two weeks.”
