To request disqualification, complete the Colorado jury duty disqualification form online at coloradojudicial.gov/disqualification-request before your appearance date. You’ll need your summons in hand, a reason that matches one of the grounds under C.R.S. § 13-71-105, and, for some grounds, a supporting statement from a medical provider. Submitting the form does not cancel your summons on its own; treat the service date as active until you receive written confirmation that the jury commissioner approved your request.
Who Qualifies for Disqualification
Disqualification means you are legally ineligible to serve, either permanently or for a defined period. It is a different track from a postponement or a hardship excuse. The Colorado Judicial Branch’s form lists these grounds:
- You are under 18.
- You are not a United States citizen.
- You cannot read, speak, and understand English.
- You do not live in the summoning county at least 50 percent of the time and have no intention of returning within the next 12 months.
- You were impaneled as a juror in any court within the last 12 months, or you are already scheduled for jury service within the next 12 months.
- A physical or mental disability prevents you from serving.
- You are the sole caretaker of a permanently disabled person in your household, you don’t work outside the home, and serving would create a substantial risk to that person’s health.
- You are breastfeeding a child and temporarily unable to leave the child.
- The person named on the summons has died.
One ground the statute handles separately is felony convictions. Under C.R.S. § 13-71-105(3), a prior felony disqualifies a prospective grand juror, but that restriction applies to grand jury service, not trial jury service.1Justia. Colorado Code 13-71-105 – Qualifications for Juror Service
How to Fill Out the Online Form
The form lives at coloradojudicial.gov/disqualification-request. You don’t need an account, but you do need information printed on your paper summons.2Colorado Judicial Branch. Disqualification Request
There are three sections:
- Summons information: county, court location, appearance date, and juror number.
- Contact and residential information: full name, email, phone, mailing address, and current residential address including county.
- Reason for disqualification: choose the ground that applies. Depending on your choice, the form prompts you to upload supporting documents before you can submit.
If you don’t have internet access or prefer to handle it on paper, you can contact your jury commissioner directly. The commissioner’s mailing address and phone number are printed on the summons.3Colorado Judicial Branch. Jury FAQs
Documentation for Medical, Breastfeeding, and Caretaker Grounds
A disability-based request requires a written statement from a licensed physician, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse, or authorized Christian Science practitioner. The statement must describe the nature of the disability, confirm that you are unable to perform jury service, and specify whether the disqualification is permanent or for a set period.2Colorado Judicial Branch. Disqualification Request
The statute gives your provider a concrete benchmark: could you perform a sedentary job requiring close attention for three consecutive business days, six hours per day, with short morning and afternoon breaks? If the answer is no, you qualify.1Justia. Colorado Code 13-71-105 – Qualifications for Juror Service Sharing this standard with your provider tends to produce a statement the commissioner will accept on the first review. Letterhead identifying the provider’s license and practice isn’t required by statute, but it prevents follow-up. Upload the statement as a PDF or image file.
Breastfeeding mothers use a separate documentation path. You need a statement from a doctor, lactation professional, nurse, physician’s assistant, or other medical professional confirming that you are a nursing mother and temporarily unable to leave your child. The Judicial Branch FAQ says this excuse is typically granted for one year, with the option to reapply if you are still breastfeeding.3Colorado Judicial Branch. Jury FAQs
The sole-caretaker ground also requires a medical provider’s statement. It should confirm the disabled person’s condition and explain why your absence during jury service would create a substantial risk to their health. You must not be regularly employed outside your home to qualify.2Colorado Judicial Branch. Disqualification Request
Age 70 and Older
Colorado residents who are 70 or older may request to be excused from jury service. A bill introduced in the 2025 legislative session (HB25-1065) would raise the threshold to 72 and formally allow both temporary and permanent opt-outs for qualifying residents.4Colorado General Assembly. HB25-1065 – Jury Duty Opt-Out for Certain People Check your summons or call your local jury commissioner to confirm the current cutoff.
When Postponement Is the Right Request Instead
If your situation is temporary, such as a scheduled surgery, a vacation, or a college exam period, postponement is the better tool. Postponement moves your service date; disqualification removes you from the jury pool. Colorado allows one postponement per summons, and you can request it through the Judicial Branch website or by mailing the postponement section of your paper summons to the jury commissioner.5Colorado Judicial Branch. Postponement Request Accepted reasons include business conflicts, health issues, vacation, student status, and other hardships.
If the commissioner denies your disqualification request because your documentation was insufficient or your reason doesn’t fit a statutory ground, you are still expected to appear on your original service date. Assume the summons is active until you receive written approval.
If You Ignore the Summons
Doing nothing does not make the summons go away. Under C.R.S. § 13-71-122, the jury commissioner can send a delinquency notice by certified or first-class mail to anyone who fails to appear, and has broad authority to reschedule the service or escalate the matter.6Justia. Colorado Code 13-71-122 – Delinquent Jurors Even if you’re confident you qualify for disqualification, submit the form before your appearance date.