Helpful Information

County Courts

(970) 494-3500

Every county in Colorado has a county court with one or more county judges. These courts handle traffic cases and misdemeanor criminal matters, as well as small civil actions to $15,000 (amount as of 2001). In certain cases, citizens can have a jury trial if they choose. An appeal from a county court decision may be made to the district court. County Court is located in the Larimer County Justice Center and in Loveland at 810 East 10th Street, Loveland, CO 80537.

Fort Collins Traffic Division: (970) 494-3500
Fort Collins Criminal Division:  (970) 494-3500
Loveland Branch: (970) 622-2100

Small Claims Court

(970) 494-3500

The Small Claims Court is a division of the County Court. Individuals are allowed to argue their own cases and to have speedy decisions on civil matters involving no more than $7,500 (amount as of 2001). There are no jury trials and matters are heard by a magistrate. Small Claims Court is located in the Larimer County Justice Center.

See also: Colorado Judicial Help Center: Small Claims Court

District Court

The State of Colorado is divided into 22 judicial districts with one or more district judges in each district. Larimer County is included in the Eighth Judicial District and has seven district judges and four magistrates. These courts have the authority to handle many types of cases including divorces, civil claims, juvenile matters, probate (estates), mental health and criminal cases. Any individual may appeal a district court decision to the Colorado Court of Appeals. District courts are located in the Larimer County Justice Center.

Judicial Administration: (970) 494-3590
Jury Information Recording: (970) 494-3555
Jury Commissioner: (970) 494-3555

Juvenile Court:  (970) 494-3710

See also: Colorado Judicial Help Center: District Court

Juvenile Court

The Juvenile District Court Division handles the prosecution of offenders who are under the age of 18 who have been charged with committing a petty offense, misdemeanor or felony offense. Juveniles receiving traffic offenses are heard in County Court. Juvenile cases are typically prosecuted in a District Court Magistrates court in Fort Collins; however, any District Court Judge has the authority to handle a juvenile case as well. If a juvenile has committed a violent offense and is at least 14 years of age, the child may be charged as an adult. The division also oversees a juvenile diversion program that works with many first time juvenile offenders. The diversion program utilizes education, community and family services to divert the juvenile offenders from the criminal justice system. 

Clerk of Courts 4B: (970) 494-3710

District Attorney's Office, Juvenile Unit: (970) 498-7220 

For more information click here: https://www.larimer.gov/da/juvenile

Probation Department

(970) 494-3900

The Probation Department provides an alternative form of sentencing for someone convicted of a crime. Appropriate persons may be placed under the supervision of a probation officer, rather than going to jail or prison. The probation department is located at 1600 Prospect Park Way, Suite 109, Fort Collins, CO 80525 and  2555 Midpoint Drive, Suite B in Fort Collins, and in the Loveland Police and Courts building at 810 East 10th Street in Loveland.

Loveland Probation Department: (970) 622-2150

See also: Colorado Probation Services

Community Corrections

Community Corrections provides positive local options for adult and juvenile non-violent offenders. Adult services include a 63 bed residential facility, non-residential supervision, sentencing evaluations, and pretrial bond supervision. Youth services include juvenile jail screening, community service programming, and victim offender mediation.

Adult Services/Administration: (970) 498-7530 
Youth Services Bureau: (970) 498-7470

Public Defender

(970) 493-1212

The Public Defender is a lawyer employed by the State government to represent a person accused of a crime who cannot afford to hire a private lawyer. The Public Defender does not represent people in any civil matters. The Public Defender's Office is located at #1 Old Town Square, Suite 200, in Fort Collins.

Larimer County Attorney

(970) 498-7450

The County Attorney's Office provides legal service and advice to the Board of County Commissioners and their divisions and departments, and, when appropriate, initiates and represents the county in litigation. The County Attorney's office also handles involuntary commitments to the state hospital. 

City Attorneys

City attorneys advise city council and employees of the city in matters relating to their official powers and duties. They represent the city in all legal proceedings, as well as prosecute all violations of the city code and ordinances in municipal court. City attorneys may also issue advisory opinions regarding the interpretation of the city code and ordinances. They do not render private legal advice as to how the provisions of the code affect the legal rights and responsibilities of individual citizens. 

District Attorney

The District Attorney's Office represents the People of the State of Colorado by serving as the prosecuting attorney in criminal cases. The District Attorney's Office is not allowed to handle civil matters except for limited representation of county public officers. The District Attorney's Office cannot render private legal advice as to how the provisions of the state statutes affect the legal rights and responsibilities of individual citizens.

Fort Collins Main: (970) 498-7200
Loveland Main: (970) 619-4410

Victim Compensation Fund

(970) 498-7285

This fund consists of money provided through fees levied against persons convicted of felonies, misdemeanors and certain traffic offenses. Persons victimized by crime in Larimer County can apply to the Victim Compensation Fund to have certain costs associated with the crime committed against them paid for. Compensable costs include medical, funeral, and counseling expenses as well as residential doors, locks and windows if they are damaged or destroyed during a crime. The Victim Compensation Fund is administered by a Board of Directors appointed by the District Attorney.

1. What is the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor?

A felony is a criminal offense which is punishable by a sentence up to and including the Colorado Department of Corrections.  A misdemeanor is a criminal offense which is punishable by a sentence to a fine, probation supervision, the county jail, or a combination thereof.  

2. What is the Difference between District Court and the County Court?

The District Court handles all criminal cases which include a felony charge and all criminal cases where the person charged is a juvenile under the age of 18 years of age.  The County Court handles all criminal cases involving misdemeanors, traffic offenses and traffic infractions.

3. How do I get a public defender?

You may call their office at (970) 493-1212 and press 0 to ask for assistance or you may go to their office at #1 Old Town Square, Suite 201, Fort Collins, CO  80524 and fill out an application.

4. I missed my court date; what should I do? 

You should contact the Court as soon as possible to avoid the possibility of a warrant being issued for your arrest.  If you have a bondsman, you should also contact them and advise them that you missed your court date.  

5. I am a defendant and I don't think my attorney is very good. Can I talk to the Deputy District Attorney assigned to my case? 

If you are represented by an attorney, the Deputy District Attorney cannot ethically talk with you about your case without your attorney being present. 

6. I received a subpoena from the District Attorney's Office. Who can I talk to about the subpoena? 

You should talk to our witness coordinator at (970) 498-7285.  

7. Can I report a crime to the District Attorney's Office? 

By statute, the District Attorney's Office is responsible to prosecute crimes which have been charged following an investigation by a law enforcement agency such as the police or sheriff's office.  To report a crime, you should contact your local police or sheriff's office.

8. I want to voice a concern about how my case is being handled by the Deputy District Attorney assigned to my case. To whom can I speak?

If you have a concern about how your case is proceeding, you may email our office at 8thdist-da@co.larimer.co.us.  If you are represented by an attorney, we are prohibited from discussing your case with you.  You will need to address these concerns with your attorney.  

9. How do I make a request to  modify something with my case (protection order, court costs, useful public service hours, bond amount)?

A Motion and Order with your request should be filed with the Court.  

10. I need to change my court date. How do I do that? 

Only the Court can change your court date.  You can contact the Clerk of the Courts at (970) 494-3500 or file a Motion to Continue with the Courts in letter format including your case name and number.

Discovery is the process of a defendant or defendant's attorney obtaining information possessed by a prosecutor regarding that defendant’s case. This information includes documents, video, audio, reports, and other materials that the District Attorney’s Office will rely upon to prosecute a case. The accused person or defendant in a case has the right to obtain this information to prepare their defense and it is provided at no cost.

Discovery Records Request