Verdict . News

•Colorado Supreme Court granted certiorari to review Court of Appeals decision on less drastic alternatives in child dependency cases

Colorado Supreme Court Grants Cert on Child Welfare Standards

The Colorado Supreme Court has granted certiorari to review a Court of Appeals decision regarding when less drastic alternatives must be considered in child dependency cases. The case will examine whether such alternatives need to be "currently available" when determining child placement options.

•Case will examine whether alternatives must be 'currently available' when courts consider child placement options

•Colorado Supreme Court rejected selective prosecution claim by Black defendant in felony murder case

Colorado Supreme Court Rejects Selective Prosecution Claim in Murder Case

The Colorado Supreme Court ruled that a Black defendant failed to prove selective prosecution in a felony murder case where his non-Black co-defendants received juvenile court plea offers while he did not. The court determined that Demarea Deshawn Mitchell was not similarly situated to his co-defendants because he was the one who directly confronted, shot, and killed the victim.

•Court ruled defendant was not similarly situated to co-defendants because he was the shooter

•Colorado Supreme Court exercised rare original proceeding jurisdiction in criminal case

Colorado Supreme Court Issues Order in Criminal Case Through Original Proceeding

The Supreme Court of Colorado issued an order on January 27, 2026, in the criminal case of People v. Issac Lawrence through an original proceeding. The case represents a rare instance where the state's highest court exercised direct jurisdiction rather than hearing the matter on appeal.

•Order issued January 27, 2026, in People v. Issac Lawrence case number 26SA25

2w ago•5 min read

•Colorado Supreme Court granted certiorari to review when 'less drastic alternatives' to child removal must be available

Colorado Supreme Court to Review Child Welfare 'Less Drastic Alternative' Standard

The Colorado Supreme Court granted certiorari to determine whether courts must require 'less drastic alternatives' to child removal be 'currently available' in dependency cases. The decision could reshape how Colorado balances family preservation with child permanency goals.

•Case challenges Court of Appeals interpretation of precedent regarding family preservation vs. child permanency

•Colorado Supreme Court rejected Black defendant's selective prosecution claim in felony murder case

Colorado Supreme Court Rejects Selective Prosecution Claim in Murder Case

The Colorado Supreme Court rejected a Black defendant's claim of selective prosecution in a felony murder case where only non-Black co-defendants received plea bargain offers. The court ruled that Demarea Deshawn Mitchell was not similarly situated to his co-defendants because he was the one who actually shot and killed the victim.

•Court ruled defendant was not similarly situated to co-defendants because he was the actual shooter

•Colorado Supreme Court declares anti-SLAPP appeal provisions unconstitutional for violating appellate jurisdiction requirements

Colorado Supreme Court Strikes Down Anti-SLAPP Appeal Provision

The Colorado Supreme Court ruled that portions of the state's anti-SLAPP statute violate the Colorado Constitution by allowing county court final judgments to bypass required appeal procedures. The court held that such appeals must go through district courts or the Supreme Court itself, not directly to the Court of Appeals.

•County court final judgments must be appealed through district courts or Supreme Court, not Court of Appeals

3w ago•4 min read

•Colorado Supreme Court reversed appeals court in 4-2 split decision regarding involuntary intoxication defense

Colorado Supreme Court Reverses Involuntary Intoxication Defense Ruling

The Colorado Supreme Court reversed a lower court decision in The People of the State of Colorado v. Isaac U. Mion, addressing standards for involuntary intoxication defenses when defendants claim unknown substances caused criminal behavior.

•Defendant claimed 'unknown substance' in marijuana joint caused criminal behavior including aggravated robbery and menacing

3w ago•4 min read

•Colorado Supreme Court delivered mixed ruling, affirming some aspects while reversing others of the lower water court's decision

Colorado Supreme Court Issues Split Water Rights Ruling in Byers Peak Case

The Colorado Supreme Court delivered a mixed decision on January 26, 2026, in a complex water rights dispute involving multiple LLCs near Byers Peak, affirming parts of the lower water court's ruling while reversing others.

•Case involved multiple LLCs including Byers Peak Properties, Colorado Adventure Park, and Byers Peak Land & Cattle in water rights dispute

3w ago•4 min read

•Colorado Supreme Court granted certiorari to review harmless error analysis standards in juvenile case A.T.S.

Colorado Supreme Court to Review Harmless Error Standards in Juvenile Case

The Colorado Supreme Court has granted certiorari in a juvenile case to examine whether lower courts properly applied harmless error analysis when evaluating improper testimony. The case will address fundamental questions about judicial standards for weighing evidence in determining if procedural errors affected trial outcomes.

•Court will examine whether Court of Appeals incorrectly applied Arteaga-Lansaw factors by considering "persuasive force" of improper testimony