Fort Collins could get Colorado's next federal courthouse thanks to 2 bills

Fort Collins could be home to Colorado's next federal courthouse in a recent push to expand federal judgeships in the state.

Larimer County Rep. Joe Neguse introduced two bills in May that would:

• Authorize adding three judges in Colorado's federal district court
• Allow a new federal district courthouse to be established in Fort Collins

Both bills are intended to accommodate the state's growing population, according to a news release. Neguse introduced these bills shortly after the Judicial Conference of the United States recommended that Congress create new seats on Colorado's federal court.

Colorado last gained a seat on its U.S. District Court in 1984, when the state's population was about half what it is now, according to a news release from Neguse's office. Currently, new federal courthouses can only be established in eight Colorado cities: Boulder, Colorado Springs, Denver, Durango, Grand Junction, Montrose, Pueblo and Sterling.

Statewide, Colorado's growing population warrants adding more federal court judges, and Neguse is advocating for a new federal courthouse in Fort Collins to ensure "Northern Colorado's growing population has representation," according to the news release.

"Access to justice is incredibly important to building trust in our judicial system and government institutions," 8th Judicial District Attorney Gordon McLaughlin said in the news release. "Fort Collins is the fourth largest city in Colorado and the gateway to the rapidly growing Northern Colorado region and our community would greatly benefit from a local federal district courthouse."

The U.S. Judicial Conference has been recommending Colorado add two federal court seats since 2019, and Neguse's bill proposes adding three in anticipation of Colorado's growing population, according to the news release. Colorado State Sen. Michael Bennet and U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper are also supportive of these bills.

Expanding the number of judges and adding a courthouse is necessary to prevent caseload backlogs, Hickenlooper said in the news release.

“As Colorado grows, we need to help our courts administer a fair and efficient justice system," Bennet said in the news release. "In addition to continuing to confirm eminently qualified judges, this legislation is another step to provide much-needed support to the District Court of Colorado."