This data reflects the cases that went to trial in 2025. 

Trial Type

Jury Trial: A judge determines questions of law and entrusts designated questions of fact to a panel of jurors selected from the community pursuant to the rules of criminal procedure.

Court Trial: In Colorado, a defendant can request a court trial, also called a “bench” trial, instead of a jury trial for most criminal cases. A court trial is held before a judge instead of a jury. The judge, instead of the jury, decides both questions of law and fact, such as whether a defendant is guilty of the offense.

How Trials Are Counted

There are several elements that make up a trial including selecting a jury, opening statements, testimony, closing arguments, jury instruction and jury deliberation/verdict. Once a jury is selected and/or opening statements are made, the court event is counted as a trial. If, for numerous reasons, the trial is declared a mistrial prior to a verdict, the court event still counts as a trial due to the time, effort and resources invested into the trial event. If the defendant accepts a plea offer prior to, or the morning of, trial then the court event does not count as a trial.