Colorado Supreme Court Limited Courtroom Livestreams
A new directive allows judges to disable livestreaming amid a rise in unauthorized social media rebroadcasts.
Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Criminal Justice
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Colorado Supreme Court Justice Monica Márquez issued a directive on September 15, 2026, granting judges the authority to stop livestreaming court proceedings. This change suspends the state's 2023 requirement for blanket livestreaming for a 90-day period.
Why it matters
The decision aims to address the proliferation of unauthorized, monetized rebroadcasts of court trials on social media platforms. By allowing judges to weigh risks, the court seeks to curb exploitation of judicial proceedings while reviewing policy.
The Colorado Judicial Department identified 120 unauthorized videos across 69 cases, though no individuals have yet been held in contempt of court. The 90-day suspension allows for a judicial review of potential benefits and risks regarding public access.
The players
Monica Márquez
Monica Márquez is a Justice on the Colorado Supreme Court who oversees directives regarding state judicial administrative policies.
Colorado Judicial Department
The Colorado Judicial Department is the administrative body responsible for the operation and oversight of the state's court system.
The details
Judges are now permitted to turn off livestreams after evaluating the potential risks and benefits of specific proceedings. The department has attempted to mitigate unauthorized content by reporting videos to YouTube and contacting creators directly.
Timeline
In 2023, state law began requiring the livestreaming of most criminal proceedings.
Justice Márquez issued the directive changing livestreaming rules on September 15, 2026.
Throughout 2026, 352,000 people viewed state court livestreams.
In September 2026, the judicial department released a list of 120 unauthorized video violations.
Legal Context
This directive creates a temporary exception to the 2023 Colorado state law requiring the livestreaming of most criminal proceedings. The move reflects growing judicial concerns over the intersection of open-court mandates and digital content monetization.
The suspension of blanket livestreaming means the public may have reduced online access to specific court proceedings as judges exercise new discretionary powers. Residents and local businesses should verify the streaming status of individual cases through official court dockets.
The takeaway
The court is balancing the mandate for public transparency with the need to protect judicial proceedings from digital exploitation. Viewers should rely on official government channels to ensure they are accessing authorized and accurate information.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in Criminal Justice regarding administrative court policies in Colorado.
Live Poll
Should courts limit public livestreaming if some viewers exploit the footage for personal gain?
