Colorado - Jury Duty Compensation

In Colorado, jurors receive nominal compensation for each day spent at jury selection, or while serving on a jury. While other states provide jurors with mileage reimbursement for travel, this is not available in Colorado.

The state reimburses all regular employees, $50.00 per diem, commencing the 4th day of service. No other entitlements are typically awarded for out of pocket expenses. Although overnight stays are unlikely, jurors residing 50 or more miles from the courthouse are eligible to receive reimbursement if they choose to stay overnight in a hotel.

Courts may make public transportation arrangements for attendance at no cost to the juror.

Unemployed or not regularly employed jurors may apply to the jury commissioner on the first day of jury service, and will be reimbursed by the state for reasonable travel, childcare, and other necessary out-of-pocket expenses, except food, for the first three days of juror service and/or any part thereof. Reimbursement will not exceed $50.00 unless otherwise determined by the state court. Unemployment benefits not affected by jury service payments.

Juror pay is typically a token amount, set by state or local law decades ago, and is often very low due to not being not adjusted for inflation or rising costs of living.

In addition to your pay, you will generally be reimbursed for costs associated with serving as a juror, including parking, tolls, and if necessary, overnight accommodations during multi-day trials away from your home. The courthouse will often provide refreshments and meals during the trial to permit jurors to continue deliberations without leaving.

Does My Employer Pay Me For Jury Duty?

In most states, your employer will be required to give you unpaid time off for jury duty, while in some states employers are required to pay employees for time served on a jury. Your employer may also elect to pay you for time served on a jury even if they are not required to, though many may then require you to sign over your jury duty paycheck. Click here for more info on your employer's jury duty obligations in Colorado.

Is Colorado Jury Duty Pay Taxable?

While jury duty pay in Colorado won't add up to much, the IRS considers it to be taxable income. Sometimes the court will send you a 1099-G or 1099-MISC form with your jury duty payment, other times you won't receive a 1099. Mileage reimbursements, and jury duty pay that you signed over to your employer, are not taxable. You may also be able to claim tax deductions for unreimbursed mileage or expenses incurred during the course of your jury duty service.