Colorado Judicial Workforce Reductions 6-18-03

Statewide, 94 employees will be laid off effective July 1, 2003, including 60 in the courts and 34 in probation.

To date, the total culminative workforce impact is a loss of 218 full-time positions: a hiring freeze implemented September 2002 through June 2003 created 137 unfilled positions, 60 employees chose to participate in a voluntary separation option, and the remainder losses result from a mix of transfers, combined positions and demotions. The funding for the equivalent of 72 additional positions is projected to be saved through attrition in FY 03-04 to reach a total workforce reduction of 290. 

The 290 positions represent about a 13 percent reduction in non-judge staff at a time when caseloads have increased nearly 7 percent over the last 12 months.

The major changes citizens should expect is a delay of justice evidenced by the reduced number of hours some court facilities are open to the public; increased wait times for receiving help in person or by phone, court appearances, document processing, data entry, and case completion; and the lengthened time it will take to resolve issues and disputes. Cases will be prioritized based upon public safety and statutory considerations. Civil court fees paid by those who use the court were also increased by the state legislature to offset another estimated $9.3 million of the total $21 million General Fund reduction