Colorado Supreme Court Chief Justice Mary Mullarkey, in a letter to the state’s top legislative leadership released today, elaborates on the courts’ plan to cut 266 jobs — most already vacant — to save money.
For two years, Colorado has been strapped for cash as tax revenues have declined under the weight of a sagging economy.
“As staff is reduced in the courts, access to the courts through reduced hours is the first impact that is generally seen, followed by case delays,” Mullarkey warned. “Case delays have a ripple effect throughout the state impacting families, businesses, county jails and many other state and local agencies.”
She also noted that planned staff reductions in the probation department, which is within the Judicial Department’s budget, “have historically resulted in an immediate and measurable cost impact to the state” through increased incarcerations.
Neither Mullarkey not the state’s 22 judicial districts have yet announced reduced operating hours as a result of the proposed cutbacks. The courts also are proposing a delay for another six months in filling a number of district and county judgeships. The judgeships, approved by legislators in 2007, were to have been implemented during FY2009.
Read Mullarkey’s letter here:
