Overview:
We spoke with Jeff Rupp of the Colorado Judicial Institute to find out what works and what needs to be improved in our justice system.
Jeff Rupp isn’t a judge or a lawyer, but he’s one of Colorado’s most passionate advocates for the integrity of the judicial system. As executive director of the Colorado Judicial Institute, Rupp leads the only nonprofit in the state focused solely on supporting Colorado’s courts.
His background in nonprofit management and deep love for American history made the role a natural fit when he took the reins in 2022. Founded more than four decades ago to uphold Colorado’s merit-based system for appointing judges, CJI now tackles a broad portfolio of public education, judicial advocacy and efforts to expand access to justice.
From pushing for more judges in overburdened court districts to helping young people understand their rights, the organization plays a quiet but vital role in strengthening the state’s legal foundation. For Rupp, that work is about more than legal procedure—it’s about ensuring public trust in the rule of law.
That trust is under pressure in today’s political climate, with courts increasingly pulled into national controversies. But as Rupp points out, the vast majority of legal work happens in state courtrooms, far from the headlines and carried out by judges committed to fairness and due process. Educating Coloradans about how that system works and why it matters is central to CJI’s mission.
In this week’s 5 Questions, we spoke with Rupp about the growing challenges facing the judiciary, how CJI is stepping up in response and what it will take to ensure that every Coloradan has equal access to justice.
How does the Colorado Judicial Institute serve the people of the state, and why is this organization needed?
The Colorado Judicial Institute (CJI) is an independent, non-partisan nonprofit and community organization with the mission to promote excellence, equity, impartiality and public trust in Colorado’s courts. CJI was originally founded to protect Colorado’s merit system for selecting judges, and over time, its work has expanded. It is the only independent nonprofit focused exclusively on Colorado’s courts.
CJI carries out its mission through several important programs. CJI provides public education about how the courts work through “Our Courts” presentations, explainer articles and op/eds and statements shared with the media. It advocates about issues that impact the courts and recently supported legislation that will increase the number of judges—which is necessary to speed up justice in districts with backlogged court dockets—and supported the passage of Amendment H that made changes to the procedures for handling misconduct by judges.
CJI supports access to justice and diversity on the bench so the courts serve and reflect everyone in the diverse communities across Colorado. And it provides financial support for the continuing education of judges. CJI believes all these programs contribute to excellence, equity, impartiality and ultimately public trust in Colorado’s courts.
Public trust in the judicial system is an important foundation for social order. Courts are there to uphold laws, settle disagreements, and make sure justice is served. For the courts to work well, they need the public to trust them. When people trust the courts, they are more likely to accept authority, cooperate with legal processes, and respect court decisions. They are also more likely to take part in civic duties like voting and serving on a jury.
Does everyone in the U.S. receive due process, and what does liberty and justice for all really mean? Many are concerned that our immigrant neighbors are being denied due process. Is there a double standard, and how can people from other countries fight for their due process rights?
Yes, the American legal system is built on providing due process, meaning that the government can’t deprive individuals of life, liberty or property without due process of law. This is a fundamental right that’s enshrined in our Constitution.
That said, this right is clearly under attack these days, especially when it comes to immigrants. But there are many advocacy groups who are filing suit in Federal courts to protect the due process rights of immigrants. We will have to wait and see how those legal actions play out, even as it’s a difficult situation for the individuals who are affected.
Meanwhile, the Colorado Judicial Institute recently published a press statement in support of the rule of law, including due process, and we stand by that.
The courts are being politicized these days. Are they really impartial, and how do you convince the public to accept their authority?
The notion that the courts are political is driven primarily by media coverage of the U.S. Supreme Court’s confirmation process and a few high-profile, sharply divided decisions. Also, it doesn’t help that several states choose their judges through partisan elections, which are inherently political and might call into question the independence and impartiality of the judges who are elected. (Note: Colorado selects its judges based on merit appointments, not elections.)
What gets ignored in media coverage, though, is the fact that state courts are the workhorses of the judicial system, handling 95% of all cases in the United States, and that the vast majority of these cases are not controversial, much less political.
Colorado is no exception to this heavy workload, with nearly 600,000 cases filed statewide during the Colorado judicial branch’s most recent fiscal year. Of those cases, 99% were filed in the district courts and county courts. District courts handle criminal, civil, domestic relations, juvenile, probate and mental health cases. County courts handle only misdemeanors, traffic violations and small claims. Again, not much there that’s likely to be controversial or political.
In the courtroom, judges follow a code of ethics, and there are rules of procedure and rules of evidence to make sure judges and juries treat everyone fairly and impartially and that the law is applied equally to everyone.
People must be given timely notice of the issues to be decided and a full and fair opportunity to be heard before their rights can be limited or taken away. Most court cases are open to the public, which helps promote transparency and accountability. And if someone is unhappy with the outcome of their case, they can appeal to a higher court to review the decision.
When citizens learn about all of this—whether through CJI’s public education programs or elsewhere—they are more likely to trust the courts and accept their authority.
In light of the new administration, what are the most urgent priorities when it comes to the courts?
All American citizens need to understand and respect the rule of law, which means we are governed by laws, not individuals, and that no one—not even our elected officials—is above these laws. The framers of the U.S. Constitution intentionally wove this concept into the nation’s governing fabric, dispersing power among three branches—legislative, executive and judicial—each with limited authority and checks on the others.
Courts are the final backstop. They make sure the laws apply equally to everyone. A party in a case who disagrees with a judge’s decision can appeal to a higher court to review the decision. This is known as the appellate review process and it exists to ensure fairness by correcting any errors in the application of law or finding of facts.
But calling into question the integrity of judges, or calling for their impeachment, is not an appropriate response to disagreement with a judicial decision and has no place in a society like ours that values the rule of law. Our judicial system isn’t perfect, but it’s very good, and CJI will continue to provide education and advocacy to keep it that way.
What work still needs to be done to ensure everyone is treated fairly in court?
Access to justice is an important and timely issue. It helps ensure that all people, no matter their financial situation or personal circumstances, can protect their rights, seek legal help and receive fair treatment under the law. Having access to the courts is important because it helps people settle disputes peacefully through the legal system.
There are many measures that can help improve access to justice. Free or low-cost legal information and legal aid programs can help people who can’t afford it so they can understand their legal rights and get legal help.
Courts can simplify legal procedures, use plain language and offer language translation services. Technology solutions such as online legal resources, virtual court hearings and self-help tools can make the courts more accessible, especially for people who live and work in rural areas. CJI directly supports some of this work and partners with the Colorado Access to Justice Commission, which is the key driver statewide.
In Colorado, another recent development is the introduction of the Licensed Legal Paraprofessionals role. They are licensed and allowed to represent individuals in certain matters related to domestic relations and family law. While hiring an attorney may be necessary for more complex cases, the paraprofessionals help to increase access to justice by making legal representation more widely available and affordable.
Learn more about the Colorado Judicial Institute and its work at www.cjicolorado.org.