Colorado Judicial Institute

What Colorado Judicial Institute does

Colorado Judicial Institute (CJI) is an independent, nonpartisan 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1979 and headquartered in Broomfield, Colorado, with approximately 5 employees. It operates as the only statewide organization specifically dedicated to promoting excellence, equity, impartiality, and public trust in Colorado's court system, serving Colorado's judiciary across all 23 judicial districts, the legal community, civic participants, and law students pursuing public service.

CJI's core offerings span seven program areas: (1) advocacy before the legislature and in public discourse; (2) public education through Our Courts Colorado group presentations and online Explainers; (3) Access to Justice initiatives; (4) Diversity on the Bench programming; (5) Judicial Education Funding through scholarships supported by the Larry DeMuth Endowment; (6) a $2,500 Bar Prep Scholarship for law students committed to public service; and (7) annual Judicial Excellence Awards and the flagship Gala Dinner. It also runs Learning Events including CLE programs, Member Breakfasts, and Thought Leadership Forums. Its digital footprint consists of a public website, member/board portal, email newsletter, and event registration tooling; it has no proprietary technology product.

Revenue is generated primarily through the annual Judicial Excellence for Colorado Gala Dinner (tickets at $200-$250, plus multi-tier corporate sponsorships from Platinum to Small/Solo), year-round corporate sponsorships, individual memberships and donations, and event registration fees (e.g., $100-$125 for Thought Leadership Forums, with discounts for judges, public servants, and students). As a 501(c)(3), all contributions are tax-deductible. CJI reaches its constituents through a community-led, event-driven go-to-market approach combining in-person programming, social media (Facebook, LinkedIn), earned media in Colorado publications, TV/radio appearances (Denver7, KOSI), and media partnerships with Rocky Mountain PBS and Colorado Public Radio.

Name

Colorado Judicial Institute

Legal name

Colorado Judicial Institute

Website

https://coloradojudicialinstitute.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Judicial Education and Advocacy Services

NAICS

Courts (92211), Justice, Public Order, and Safety Activities (922)

SIC

Services-Legal Services (8111), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Judicial Courts & Court Administration (BPAIAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

State/Provincial Courts & Judicial Administration (BPAIABAE)

Keywords

• Judicial education funding
• Public court education
• Nonprofit legal advocacy
• Bar prep scholarships
• Judicial excellence awards

Headquarters

HQ city

Broomfield, CO

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Gala Dinner Fundraising: The annual Judicial Excellence for Colorado Gala Dinner is CJI's largest fundraiser, generating revenue through individual ticket sales ($250 standard, $200 for judges/public servants), corporate table sponsorships at multiple levels (Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze, Small/Solo), paddle raise donations, and in-kind sponsorships. Proceeds support the Judicial Education Fund and all CJI programs.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: CJI offers year-round corporate sponsorships, event-specific sponsorships (gala dinner, Thought Leadership Forum, learning events), and custom sponsorships. Sponsors receive recognition at events, in program materials, on CJI's website and publications, and tickets to events. CJI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, making contributions tax-deductible.
3. Individual Memberships & Donations: CJI accepts individual memberships and donations, described as a primary philanthropic interest for supporters. The organization offers a Young Professionals Committee membership pathway and individual event attendance as engagement vehicles.
4. Event Registration Fees: Learning events, CLE programs, and Thought Leadership Forums generate revenue through registration fees. For example, the Thought Leadership Forum charged $100 for members, $125 for non-members, with deep discounts of $29 for judges/public servants and $19 for students. Straight Talk CLE was $100 for members, $125 for non-members. Member Breakfasts are free.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Colorado Judicial Institute is an independent, nonpartisan 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1979 that promotes excellence, equity, impartiality, and public trust in Colorado's courts. It delivers public education programs (Our Courts Colorado presentations, online Explainers), judicial education funding (scholarships for judges and court staff through the Larry DeMuth Endowment), the Bar Prep Scholarship for public-service law graduates, advocacy programs (Diversity on the Bench, Access to Justice), and the annual Judicial Excellence Awards Gala Dinner. CJI reaches all 23 of Colorado's judicial districts through programs, events, and a statewide network of corporate and individual supporters.

Product overview

The Colorado Judicial Institute offers a portfolio of programs and services focused on promoting excellence, equity, impartiality, and public trust in Colorado's courts. The organization's offerings include public education programs (Our Courts Colorado presentations and online Explainers), scholarship programs (Bar Prep Scholarship for law students and Judicial Education Funding for judges), annual awards and events (Judicial Excellence Awards and annual Gala Dinner), and Learning Events (CLE classes and member networking events). CJI also runs advocacy initiatives including Diversity on the Bench and Access to Justice programs, plus a newsletter for ongoing communication with stakeholders.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Our Courts Colorado Public education program delivering informational group presentations about the state and federal courts in Colorado, helping citizens and community groups understand how the judicial system works.
• Explainers Short online articles that explain important aspects of Colorado's judicial system for public education and awareness.
• Bar Prep Scholarship One-time $2,500 scholarship awarded by CJI's Young Professionals Committee to graduating law school students to help defray costs of bar preparation courses, licensure fees, or living expenses, with preference for students demonstrating interest in public service.
• Judicial Excellence Awards Annual recognition program honoring outstanding Colorado district court judges, county court judges, and magistrates based on nominations from peers, court staff, attorneys, and citizens. Awards celebrate efficiency, humane case management, open communication, accessibility, and innovation.
• Judicial Excellence for Colorado Gala Dinner Annual fundraising event celebrating Colorado's courts and honoring Judicial Excellence Award recipients, bringing together legal, business, and civic community leaders. Individual seats are $250 ($200 for judges/public servants) with tiered corporate table sponsorships.
• Learning Events Public lectures, CLE classes, and networking events including Straight Talk With Judges interactive CLEs, member breakfasts, and educational forums on judicial topics. Ticketed registration ($100 members / $125 non-members; discounted for judges, court staff, government lawyers, public servants, and students).
• Judicial Education Funding Funding program for the continuing education of Colorado's judges, supported in part by The Larry DeMuth Endowment for Judicial Education. Scholarships cover class/conference registration, tuition, fees, and materials for judges and judicial staff statewide via a quarterly application process.
• CJI Newsletter Email newsletter keeping subscribers informed about CJI news and announcements, including event updates, program information, and judicial news.
• Diversity on the Bench Initiative Advocacy program supporting and promoting diversity among judicial officers in Colorado's court system.
• Access to Justice Program supporting access to justice initiatives for all Coloradans interacting with the court system.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 500 attendees at the 2022 annual gala, and over 400 attendees in 2023, demonstrating strong community engagement.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Gibson Dunn LLPcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 6 November 2025Gibson Dunn LLP hosted CJI's inaugural Thought Leadership Forum on AI in the legal community on November 6, 2025, at its Denver office (1900 Lawrence Street). The firm provided the venue and contributed to program delivery. CJI seeks further sponsorship from the firm.
• Wheeler Trigg O'Donnell LLPflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 15 October 2025Wheeler Trigg O'Donnell LLP is a Platinum Level sponsor of CJI's annual Judicial Excellence Gala Dinner and hosted the Straight Talk with the Justices event at its Denver law office in March 2026, where Colorado Supreme Court justices engaged with attorneys in discussions about internal court operations.
• Dowd Bennett LLPflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 15 October 2025Dowd Bennett LLP is a Platinum Level sponsor of CJI's annual Judicial Excellence Gala Dinner, one of the organization's most significant corporate supporters at the highest sponsorship tier.
• Polsinelli PCcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 15 October 2025Polsinelli PC is a Gold Level sponsor of CJI's annual Gala Dinner. A former CJI board chair (Don Samuels) is a shareholder at Polsinelli's Denver office. The firm hosted the 2023 CJI Member Breakfast.
• Holland & Hart LLPcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 15 October 2025Holland & Hart LLP is a Silver Level sponsor of CJI's 2025 Gala Dinner. The firm also provided in-kind sponsorship (video production services) for the 2023 Gala Dinner through Don Yost.
• Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, LLPcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 15 October 2025Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, LLP is a Bronze Level sponsor of CJI's 2025 Gala Dinner and served as the host venue for CJI's 2026 Breakfast with the Bench event at its Denver office (555 17th Street, 13th Floor Meeting Center).
• Davis Graham & Stubbs LLPcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 15 October 2025Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP is a Silver Level sponsor of CJI's 2025 Gala Dinner and provided in-kind sponsorship (design services) through Kathy Henry at the 2023 Gala Dinner.
• Rocky Mountain PBScoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 15 October 2025Rocky Mountain PBS provided in-kind sponsorship (audio production services) for CJI's 2023 Gala Dinner through Dan Diamond. The organization supports CJI's public education mission through media collaboration.
• Candid (GuideStar)coreOthers · 15 October 2025CJI holds a Gold Candid Transparency 2025 badge, demonstrating alignment with Candid's standards for nonprofit governance and financial accountability.
• Colorado Public Radio (CPR)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 15 October 2025Chandra Thomas Whitfield of Colorado Public Radio served as Master of Ceremonies for CJI's 2025 Judicial Excellence Gala Dinner. CPR provides media coverage and support for CJI's public education mission.
• American Arbitration AssociationminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 15 October 2025Silver Level sponsor of CJI's 2025 Gala Dinner, supporting CJI's annual flagship fundraising event.
• JAMSGTM or Marketing Partner · 15 October 2025Bronze Level sponsor of CJI's 2025 Gala Dinner, supporting CJI's annual flagship fundraising event.
• Perkins Coie LLPminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 15 October 2025Bronze Level sponsor of CJI's 2025 Gala Dinner, supporting CJI's annual flagship fundraising event.
• Greenberg Traurig, LLPminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 15 October 2025Bronze Level sponsor of CJI's 2025 Gala Dinner, supporting CJI's annual flagship fundraising event.
• Maverick Public RelationsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 15 October 2025Small/Solo Level sponsor of CJI's 2025 Gala Dinner and sponsor of CJI's Thought Leadership Forum event. Supports CJI's communications and marketing efforts.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• National Center for Access to Justice: Nonprofit that advocates for access to justice through research, advocacy, and policy reform. CJI's Access to Justice program is a direct state-level analog of this mission.
• National Center for State Courts (NCSC): National nonprofit that works to improve the administration of justice through education, training, research, and technology services for state courts. CJI operates the same model at the state level for Colorado and shares core programmatic focus on judicial education, public trust, and court improvement.
• National Association of Women Judges: Judicial membership organization advancing women in the judiciary and equal justice. Aligns with CJI's Diversity on the Bench initiative and its judicial excellence recognition program.
• Center for Justice Innovation: National nonprofit that works with courts and communities to reduce the use of incarceration, advance equity, and improve public trust in justice. CJI's Access to Justice and Diversity on the Bench initiatives align closely with this mission area.
• American Bar Foundation: Independent nonprofit research organization that advances justice through empirical legal research. CJI's evidence-based public education and bar prep scholarship programs overlap in mission around strengthening the legal profession.
• National Judicial College: Provides continuing education and training to judges across the U.S. and is a primary provider of judicial education - the same function CJI subsidizes through its Judicial Education Fund and Larry DeMuth Endowment for Colorado judges and staff.
• State Justice Institute: Federal nonprofit that funds innovative projects to improve state court systems. Shares CJI's mission of strengthening state courts through education, research, and technology, though operates at the national funding level.
• National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges: Provides judicial education and policy guidance specifically for juvenile and family court judges. Overlaps with CJI's judicial education funding and excellence award programs in mission and audience.
• National Legal Aid & Defender Association: National membership organization supporting civil legal aid and public defense. CJI's Access to Justice program and Bar Prep Scholarship for public service-oriented law students align directly with NLADA's mission.

Broad incumbents

• Brennan Center for Justice: Large national law and policy organization that works on voting rights, courts, and criminal justice reform. Overlaps with CJI's judicial independence and access to justice advocacy but operates at a much larger scale and broader scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ColoradoJudicialInstitute
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/colorado-judicial-institute

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Colorado Judicial Institute