Former Colorado Justice Melissa Hart Died
The retired Colorado Supreme Court justice passed away following a battle with health issues.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Law
Melissa Hart, a former Colorado Supreme Court justice who retired earlier this year, has died. She passed away on October 1, 2026, after experiencing ongoing health issues.
Why it matters
Hart served on the state's highest court for nearly a decade, leaving a legacy as a key legal figure in Colorado. Her passing follows her retirement from the bench in January 2026.
Hart was appointed to the state supreme court in 2017 following a career that included graduating from Harvard Law School in 1995. She is survived by her two children.
The players
Melissa Hart
She was a former Colorado Supreme Court justice who served on the bench after being appointed in 2017.
John Hickenlooper
He is the politician who appointed Melissa Hart to the Colorado Supreme Court in 2017.
The details
Hart began a leave of absence from the Colorado Supreme Court in October 2025 before formally retiring in January 2026. Authorities confirmed there were no indications of foul play or suicide regarding her death.
Timeline
Hart graduated from Harvard Law School in 1995.
She was appointed to the Colorado Supreme Court in 2017.
Hart began an extended leave of absence in October 2025.
She retired from the bench in January 2026.
Melissa Hart died on October 1, 2026.
Political Context
This news follows a pattern of high-level judicial transitions within the Colorado Supreme Court. Opposition groups often scrutinize these appointments based on the ideological legacy of the outgoing justice.
The vacancy created by Hart's earlier retirement has already been integrated into the court's current operational structure. Residents should not expect any immediate changes to court schedules or pending rulings due to this development.
The takeaway
Justice Hart served the state for nearly a decade after an extensive career in legal education and practice. Her legacy remains tied to the rulings and judicial philosophy she established during her tenure on the court.
Further reading
For more on the state's judicial system, visit the Law section.
