Judicial branch seeks $1M to continue case‑management replacement, asks for probation staffing after Aurora municipal change; ombuds office status explained

The Colorado judicial branch told the Joint Budget Committee it needs an additional $1 million in general‑fund spending authority to continue replacing a 30‑year‑old case management system and answered committee questions about probation staffing and an independent ombuds office created by statute.

Key points from the judiciary’s comebacks - Case management system: The judicial branch’s original plan requested roughly $10.5 million per year for three years to replace its legacy case management system. After committee feedback the department reduced its FY26 ask; the JBC previously approved approximately $3.1 million in cash‑fund spending authority and denied roughly $4.0 million in general fund. Chief Justice and the State Court Administrator asked for a $1,000,000 general‑fund comeback to keep the project moving while honoring the committee’s request to slow the rollout. - Probation officers tied to Aurora change: The judiciary previously requested 24 FTE after the City of Aurora decided to stop hearing domestic‑violence cases in municipal court; those cases…