Colorado Supreme Court Justice Melissa Hart has announced her retirement, effective January 5, 2026. Justice Hart, who had been on temporary leave, submitted her notice to Chief Justice Monica Márquez on December 19, 2025. She will remain on leave until her retirement date.
In her statement, Justice Hart said she intends to focus on “access to civil justice for low and middle-income Coloradans and making the family law system work for unrepresented litigants.” She added, “I remain deeply committed to the work that is central to Colorado’s Judicial Branch – preserving the rule of law and serving the public. Colorado, like every other state in the country, is struggling to serve the public in these areas [of access to justice and family law systems]. I joined the bench because I felt called to address these issues, and I plan to continue this work after retirement.”
To maintain continuity in court operations, cases are being managed according to established procedures. Adjustments will be made in case assignments as needed during this transition.
Chief Justice Monica M. Márquez acknowledged Justice Hart’s service: “Justice Hart has devoted the past eight years to serving both the judiciary and the people of Colorado. Her unwavering commitment, energy, and efforts to expand access to justice have significantly benefited our state. Justice Hart’s absence will be deeply felt throughout the branch. Her legal expertise, steadfast dedication to the rule of law, and significant work on numerous committees will leave a lasting legacy.”
Appointed by Governor John Hickenlooper in December 2017, Justice Hart served as liaison or member of several commissions and committees related to access to justice and judicial workplace culture. She also contributed nationally as Chair-Elect of the Council of the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admission to the Bar and Adviser for an American Law Institute project.
While on the Court, she taught at both University of Colorado Law School and University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Before joining the bench, she was a professor at University of Colorado Law School where she directed a constitutional law center. Her career included pro bono legal work focused on appellate advocacy and family law cases.
When a judicial vacancy occurs in Colorado’s courts—including its Supreme Court housed at Ralph L. Carr Colorado Judicial Center in Denver—the position is publicly announced with details about application processes provided later by the court official website. The Colorado Judicial Branch oversees trial courts, appellate courts including the Supreme Court, specialized courts across all counties and districts in Colorado through its networked structure.
The court stated it will release further information regarding filling this vacancy according to standard procedures.
The Supreme Court expressed gratitude for Justice Hart’s tenure: “The Supreme Court thanks Justice Melissa Hart for her tenure on the Court and dedication to the rule of law.”
