.jpg)
Colorado County Commissioners Court and Sheriff Justin Lindemann reviewed increasing demand for security and space due to large courts and numerous jury trials at the Colorado County Courthouse, Monday, Jan. 26.
The courthouse will host 52 court settings in 2026, more than previous years, according to County Judge Ty Prause. Prause, who introduced the topic, said the number highlights the court’s partnership with the Colorado County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO). CCSO provides security and prisoner transport for all courts in the courthouse.
“One of the issues is security when we’re dealing with victims, victims’ families, criminal defendants, all the members of the court, a district judge or two, and you’re going down to that one elevator to that one restroom,” Prause said.
Officials discussed the level of coordination and security required for bathroom trips and prisoner transports and reviewed the courthouse’s lack of a secure waiting area for inmates. Lindemann said a full day of court requires on average five deputies to be present and working. He added that unlike other counties, Colorado County does not have extra licensed peace officers seeking part-time shifts to staff in the courts.
“I’ve been meeting with [Prause] about hopefully in the future hiring another full-time to have a bailiff or courtroom security officer between here and the annex,” Lindemann said.
According to Lindemann, the courthouse security budget paid out $35,000 in bailiff wages in 2025. Lindemann suggested for the budget to allocate $52,500 for a new full-time bailiff and an additional $30,000 for bailiff wages. He also requested bailiff wages to be raised from $35 per hour to $40 per hour with three-hour minimum compensation to compete with other agencies. Lindemann said CCSO has $15,000 that could be transferred to help fund the increase.
“It’s one of those things I want to propose to bring to the table,” Lindemann said. “If we can move these funds over than we can possible hire within our budget and not have to take any from the general fund.”
Prause said the courthouse requires more resources than available. Lindemann expressed interest in the structure and security of the Austin County Justice Center. For example, the center runs security screening at the entrance outside the individual courtrooms.
“It will eventually have to come to [a justice center],” Lindemann said. “We think everybody, not just the Sheriff’s Office but even the Commissioners… we are running out of room. Colorado County is growing; we are expanding; our offices are expanding. We are now trying to figure out how to fit everybody.”
In the meantime, Lindemann said the county will likely have to build more individual buildings to support the growth. He encouraged the other officials to start considering the planning and financing behind the project. Prause raised concerns over legislative rumors that would decrease funding sources and construction costs in the hundreds of millions of dollars.
“When does it justify making a move to something like that?” Prause asked. “When do you reach the point?”
