Magistrate

Colorado Judicial Branch; Fort Collins (CO); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Colorado Judicial Branch seeks a Magistrate to decide merits of cases, conduct hearings, evaluate evidence, and issue oral or written decisions. The role includes administrative duties and supervision of division staff, volunteers, or interns across multiple case types.

The position requires graduation from an accredited law school, admission to the Colorado Bar, and at least five years of practice experience. Applicants will be contacted for interviews as applications are received.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited law school.
• Possession of a certificate of admission to the Bar of the State of Colorado.
• At least five (5) years of experience as a practicing attorney.

Responsibilities

• Performs a variety of judicial duties including deciding merits of cases, hearing evidence, analyzing laws and issuing decisions.
• Provides administrative direction for the operation of a judicial division and supervises staff, volunteers or interns.
• Presides over criminal, civil, juvenile, domestic relations, probate, traffic and other cases as assigned.

Education

Juris Doctor or equivalent

Job description

POSITION INFORMATION

Job Code: 450500

Full Time Salary: $174,338.11

FLSA Status: Excluded

Notice To Colorado Applicants

In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

MISSION STATEMENT

The Judicial Department works to provide equal access to justice, contribute to public safety, and strengthen the rule of law across Colorado. Together our courts and probation departments are committed to impartial and timely dispute resolution; support for families, litigants, and victims; client rehabilitation; and meaningful community engagement.

General Statement Of Duties

Performs a variety of judicial duties in the Colorado Judicial System including deciding the merits of cases, hearing and evaluating evidence and witness credibility, analyzing laws and rules, making findings of fact and conclusions of law and issuing oral or written decisions and orders to resolve cases. Provides administrative direction for the operation of a judicial division including supervisory accountability for division staff, volunteers or interns.

Distinguishing Factors

Work assignments are designated by the Chief Judge of the judicial district and can require performing judicial duties in any or all of the following areas: criminal, civil, juvenile, domestic relations, probate, traffic and other judicial proceedings. The Magistrate position reports to the Chief Judge of the Judicial District and is not an elected position. A Magistrate serves in a classified, non-certified position that is considered at‑will and may be terminated at any time with or without cause.

Additional Comments

Applicants must complete the application in full and submit both a resume and a cover letter.

Qualified candidates will be contacted as applications are received to arrange interview times.

Salary offers will be determined based on several factors, including relevant experience, budget availability, and compliance with the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. Offers will align with the Colorado Judicial Department's compensation step plan. Please highlight all relevant experience you wish to have considered during the selection process.

Interviews will be held on Friday, October 9, 2026.

Essential Functions

• Initial appearance proceedings, including advisement of rights, setting bail, and imposition of conditions of release pending further proceedings;
• Bond review hearings;
• Preliminary and disposition hearings;
• Arraignments on indictments and information;
• Probable cause hearings pursuant to the Uniform Act for Out-of-State Parolee Supervision;
• Hearings on modification of the terms and conditions of probation or deferred prosecutions and deferred sentences;
• Settlement conferences;
• Default hearings, including entering judgments and conducting post-judgment proceedings;
• Conducting hearings and entering orders authorizing sales under power pursuant to Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure;
• Hearing motions for temporary and permanent orders for the establishment and modification for child support;
• Hearings under the "Uniform Interstate Family Support Act";
• Hearings under the "Uniform Dissolution of Marriage Act";
• Conduct hearings pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act for Child Support;
• Hearings of establishment and enforcement;
• Proceedings, including hearings, under the “Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act”;;
• Proceedings for the enforcement of orders for child support;
• Hearings on motions, conduct trials to court, accept pleas of guilty, and impose sentences in misdemeanor, petty offense, and traffic offense matters;
• Provides determination of motions relating to discovery and the mandatory disclosure requirements;
• Deferred prosecution and deferred sentence proceedings in misdemeanor, petty offense, and traffic offense matters;

Essential Functions Cont.

• Misdemeanor and petty offense proceedings pertaining to wildlife, parks and outdoor recreation;
• Proceedings pertaining to recreational facilities districts, control and licensing of dogs, campfires, and general regulations;
• Proceedings with regard to petitions for name change;
• Trials and hearings on motions pursuant to small claims statutory provisions and rules;
• Civil trials to court and hearings on motions;
• Proceedings involving preliminary or permanent injunctions;
• Default hearings, entering judgments and conducting post-judgment proceedings;
• Conducts some types of prison inmate litigation;
• Proceedings involving temporary restraining orders;
• Proceedings in traffic infraction matters;
• Preside over all types of cases under the Children's Code including delinquency, dependency and neglect actions, adoptions, relinquishments, truancy and paternity and support proceedings;
• Enforces orders in all proceedings by the use of contempt of court when appropriate;
• Acts as a master, mediator or arbitrator;
• Orders presentence investigations;
• Sets cases for disposition, trial, or sentencing before a judge;
• Issues arrest and search warrants;
• Enters pleas of guilty deferred prosecution and deferred sentence;
• Determines motions relating to disclosure and discovery;
• Performs any or all of the duties that may be delegated to or performed by a probate registrar, magistrate, or clerk;
• Accepts stipulated agreements to pay child support and voluntary acknowledgements of support liability;
• Performs solemnization of marriages;
• Provides advisements and sets bail in criminal and traffic cases;
• Issues restraining orders;
• Attends meetings and training as required;
• Performs other duties as assigned;

Supervisor Responsibilities

This position requires administrative responsibility for the operation of a judicial division including supervisory accountability for division staff, volunteers, or interns. Plans, directs and coordinates activities for a judicial division. Additional duties include scheduling and assigning work, training in all facets of a judicial division’s operation, quality control, decision impacting the pay, status and tenure of staff, conducting performance appraisals and providing input into and participating in discipline, hiring and dismissal of staff.

Minimum Qualifications

Graduation from an accredited law school; possession of a certificate of admission to the Bar of the State of Colorado and eligibility to practice law before the courts of the State of Colorado. Applicants must have at least five (5) years of experience as a practicing attorney. For Magistrates hired to perform duties, exception to the experience qualification may apply in Class “C” or “D” counties as defined in Colorado State Statute 13-6-201 regarding Classification of Counties.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Work Environment

This position is subject to many interruptions and may be required to handle multiple calls and inquiries at once. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.