Colorado Judicial Institute

The Colorado Judicial Institute (CJI) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization established in 1979. Its mission is to promote excellence, equity, impartiality, and public trust in Colorado's courts through outreach, education, and engagement.

History and Purpose

Originally formed to promote and defend Colorado's system of merit selection and retention for judges, CJI has expanded its focus to developing public trust in the state court system. This includes efforts to counter misinformation about the judiciary and to enhance civic knowledge, particularly in light of declining civics education in schools.

Programs and Initiatives

CJI collaborates with various organizations, such as the Colorado Bar Association, to implement programs like "Our Courts," which educates both adult and high school audiences about civics. This program aims to enhance public understanding of the judicial system, allow informed participation in judicial selection processes, and foster confidence in the fairness and impartiality of the courts.

CJI also supports the Judicial Diversity Outreach program, which is part of the Diversity on the Bench Coalition. This program seeks to increase diversity on the bench by inspiring diverse judicial applicants and enhancing the selection process for judicial positions.

Impact and Recognition

The Our Courts program has been widely recognized, winning awards from institutions like the American Bar Association. It has provided over 600 presentations, reaching more than 20,000 people. The Colorado Judicial Institute's work in promoting judicial excellence and equity has made it a model for similar initiatives nationwide.

Mission Alignment

CJI's activities align with addressing the broader issues affecting the judiciary, such as declining public trust and inadequate understanding of the judicial system. By focusing on education and community engagement, CJI strives to ensure the Colorado courts remain fair, impartial, and reflective of the communities they serve.