More courtrooms than judges in new judicial building

Nearly 10 percent of the space in the new judicial building goes largely unused.

Pueblo County Facilities Director Sean Tapia estimates that space accounts for 16,000 square feet of the building.

Chief Judge Deborah Eyler said there are 13 judges working in the new 185,000-square-foot building, which houses 17 courtrooms. Eyler said most of the four remaining courtrooms that are not assigned to a judge are seldom used. But she said those courtrooms are sometimes used for special events, like ceremonies.

“The building was built for the future, not just for the immediate needs. Obviously, it wouldn’t have made a lot of sense to spend this kind of money to build a building that only satisfies what your needs are today,” Eyler said. “We are making use of all of these rooms in some fashion or another.”

Eyler said the Tenth Judicial District, which encompasses Pueblo County, is short two district court judges. But Eyler said there are other districts in the state that are in worse shape so she doesn’t anticipate that more judges will be brought to Pueblo immediately.

“I know that we hope to get another judge, but it’s up to the state legislature as to whether they appropriate the funds for a new judge and up to the judiciary to decide where those judges go,” said Pueblo County Commissioner Buffie McFadyen.

Taxpayers have spent close to $55 million on the building, which opened last August. By the time the interest on the bond is paid, McFadyen said the final cost of the building will be $111 million.

McFadyen said it’s not unusual to have a new building with that amount of empty space. She believes the county will eventually grow into it.

“I can understand why people might be frustrated that some of those courtrooms aren’t used all the time,” she said.

State Sen. Leroy Garcia (D-Pueblo) is sponsoring a bill that could eventually make the state responsible for paying for the daily costs of running the judicial building.