Colorado Appeals Court Visited Grand Junction High School

Three judges held oral arguments at the school to educate students on the state judicial system.

Updated on Oct. 11, 2026 in Secondary Education

A wide interior view of a high school auditorium with empty rows of seating facing a bare stage, evoking an environment for civic education. — Three Colorado appellate judges held oral arguments at Grand Junction High School this week as part of an initiative to demystify the state judicial system for local students. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Three appellate judges presided over oral arguments in two cases during a session at the Grand Junction High School auditorium. This event provided local students an educational look at the Colorado judicial system through the Courts in the Community program.

Why it matters

The program aims to demystify legal proceedings by bringing the appellate court directly to students. It offers a rare opportunity for high schoolers to witness judicial arguments firsthand and interact with legal professionals.

The session featured oral arguments in two cases, with evidence cited regarding 200 comments submitted via the EngageCPW platform. Of those comments, 95% were allegedly dismissed by the agency.

The players

Colorado Court of Appeals

This is the intermediate appellate court in the Colorado judicial system that reviews decisions made by lower courts.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife

This state agency manages the wildlife and outdoor recreation resources in Colorado.

Brandon Burns

He was the defendant in a criminal case originating in El Paso County where he was acquitted of a felony menacing charge.

The details

The panel reviewed the case Friends of Animals v. Colorado Parks and Wildlife, which challenges regulations enacted in 2023, and People of the State of Colorado v. Brandon Burns. Following the arguments, the judges held a question-and-answer session with students about judicial career paths.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife enacted the regulations in 2023.
The Court of Appeals heard oral arguments on October 8, 2026.

Culture Shift

The session follows the pattern set by the Courts in the Community program by bringing appellate proceedings into educational settings. This initiative bridges the gap between public perception and the reality of the courtroom.

Students gained direct exposure to the judicial process and career guidance from working judges and attorneys. Residents living in the area witnessed the court in action without needing to travel to Denver for proceedings.

The takeaway

Students interested in law can benefit from observing oral arguments to understand how legal counsel presents cases to a panel. Engaging directly with court officials helps demystify the judiciary for the next generation of potential legal professionals.