Colorado residents are being targeted by fraudulent text messages and telephone calls involving fake traffic violations, court appearances, jury summonses, arrest warrants, and demands for immediate payment.

The Colorado Judicial Branch has warned that fraudulent text messages are circulating statewide and falsely claiming that recipients must appear in district court for a traffic violation. Colorado authorities have also warned about scammers impersonating court employees, sheriff’s deputies, police officers, jury commissioners, and other government officials to demand money for supposedly missing jury duty.

The safest response is simple: Do not click, do not pay, and do not provide personal information. Independently verify the communication through the official Colorado Judicial Branch website or the appropriate county court.

Quick Answer: How Can You Tell Whether a Colorado Court Message Is a Scam?

An unexpected court-related text message or jury duty telephone call should be treated as suspicious when it:

• Uses a generic or incorrect court name
• Does not identify a county, judicial district, courthouse, appearance date, or time
• Uses an unusual case number, including a format such as CO-DC-2026-TR
• Contains a website address outside Colorado’s official court system
• Threatens immediate arrest, contempt, license suspension, or additional penalties
• Demands immediate payment
• Requests gift cards, cryptocurrency, a wire transfer, or payment through an application
• Requests your Social Security number, date of birth, bank information, or credit-card information

Do not use the link, telephone number, email address, or payment instructions supplied by the sender. Verify the claim using contact information obtained independently from the Colorado Judicial Branch.

Fake Colorado Court-Appearance Text Messages

A fraudulent court text may claim that:

• You failed to pay a speeding, parking, toll, or traffic violation
• You must appear in district court
• You have an outstanding citation or court case
• Your driver’s license will be suspended
• A warrant will be issued unless you act immediately
• Additional charges or penalties will be imposed
• You must click a link to review the citation or make a payment

The purpose of the message is usually to create fear and urgency. The sender wants the recipient to click a phishing link, disclose sensitive information, or send money before verifying whether the supposed court matter is real.

The Colorado Judicial Branch directs anyone who receives one of these fraudulent texts to delete it immediately and avoid clicking any links.

How to Identify a Fake Colorado Court Text

1. The Court’s Name Is Generic or Incorrect

A message referring to the “District Court of the State of Colorado” is not a legitimate Colorado court notice.

Colorado trial courts are identified by a specific county or judicial district. A genuine notice should identify the actual court responsible for the matter.

2. The Message Does Not Include a Location, Date, or Time

A text stating that you must appear in court without identifying the courthouse, scheduled date, and appearance time is a major warning sign.

The Colorado Judicial Branch advises that a purported court notice without this basic information is not a real court order. Do not click a link to obtain the supposedly missing details.

3. The Court Personnel Information Is Incorrect

A fraudulent notice may identify a supposed judge, court clerk, sheriff’s deputy, or other government employee.

The person’s name may not match the local court’s public records. In other cases, a scammer may use the name of a real public official to make the communication appear credible.

Verify court personnel through the official Colorado Judicial Branch website or by calling the clerk’s office using a number published on the official court website.

4. The Case Number Does Not Match Colorado’s System

Fraudulent messages have included case numbers beginning with formats such as:

CO-DC-2026-TR

The Colorado Judicial Branch has specifically identified that format as inconsistent with Colorado’s court case-number system.

5. The Website Address Is Not Part of Colorado’s Official Court System

A fraudulent website may contain official-sounding words such as:

• Colorado
• Court
• Judicial
• District court
• DMV
• Traffic
• Citation
• Summons
• Government

The presence of an official-sounding word does not make the website legitimate. The Colorado Judicial Branch has warned that links directing recipients outside the official Colorado court system, particularly links containing “DMV,” are fraudulent.

Do not open the link contained in the message. Instead, navigate independently to the official Colorado Judicial Branch website.

6. The Message Demands Immediate Payment

A demand for payment through any of the following methods is a strong indication of fraud:

• Gift cards
• Cryptocurrency
• Cryptocurrency kiosks
• Payment applications
• Wire transfers
• Prepaid debit cards
• Cash delivered to a designated location
• A QR code included in a text or email

The Federal Trade Commission warns that courts do not demand payment over the telephone. Requests for payment through gift cards, cryptocurrency, payment applications, or wire transfers are common features of government-impersonation scams.

7. The Message Threatens Immediate Arrest or Additional Penalties

Scammers may threaten:

• Immediate arrest
• A bench warrant
• Contempt of court
• Driver’s-license suspension
• Additional fines
• Criminal prosecution
• Referral to law enforcement

The threat is designed to prevent the recipient from slowing down, consulting another person, or independently verifying the claim.

8. The Text Unexpectedly Announces a New Court Matter

Colorado courts may send text-message reminders concerning an already scheduled court appearance. The Colorado Judicial Branch states that such reminders can include a reminder before the scheduled appearance. That is different from receiving an unexpected text announcing a previously unknown traffic case or demanding immediate payment.

A valid court notice should identify the case number, specific judicial district, courthouse address, court personnel, scheduled date, and scheduled time.

Colorado residents should verify suspicious messages by contacting the appropriate court through the official Colorado Judicial Branch website. Photo source: Colorado Judicial Branch.

How Do Colorado Courts Actually Notify People?

Depending on the type of proceeding, a legitimate court appearance notice may be delivered through:

• A summons or citation issued by a law-enforcement officer during a traffic stop
• Personal delivery of court papers
• Documents sent by mail
• Notice provided through an attorney
• An official written court order
• A reminder connected to an existing court appearance

The Colorado Judicial Branch states that legitimate court-appearance notices are generally delivered by mail, in person, through counsel, or through an initial summons issued by a law-enforcement officer. Valid notices contain identifying information about the court, case, courthouse, and scheduled appearance.

How to Verify Whether You Have a Colorado Court Case

Never verify a suspicious message by using the link or telephone number contained in that message.

Instead:

1. Go directly to the official Colorado Judicial Branch website.
2. Use the official Colorado Court Docket Search.
3. Locate the appropriate court by county or judicial district.
4. Call the clerk’s office using the number published on the official website.
5. Ask whether a case, citation, hearing, or deadline is associated with your name.

The Colorado Judicial Branch’s docket search permits searches using information such as location, date, case number, party name, or attorney information. The Judicial Branch also publishes contact information for Colorado’s judicial districts and individual courts.

A court clerk can provide administrative information about a case but cannot provide legal advice.

Be Aware of Colorado Jury Duty Phone Scams

A separate court-related scam involves telephone calls, texts, or emails from people pretending to represent:

• A county sheriff’s office
• A police department
• A Colorado court
• A jury commissioner
• A judge or court clerk
• The U.S. Marshals Service

The scammer claims that the recipient missed jury duty, ignored a summons, or has an outstanding arrest warrant. The scammer then demands money to cancel the supposed warrant or prevent an arrest.

Colorado courts and law-enforcement agencies do not call and demand money for a missed jury summons.

How Does the Jury Duty Phone Scam Work?

A jury duty scammer may:

• Know your full name, address, or other personal information
• Use the name of a real judge, deputy, officer, or court employee
• Provide a fake badge number
• Claim that you signed for a jury summons
• Claim that a warrant has already been issued
• Threaten immediate arrest
• Tell you not to hang up
• Pressure you to pay the same day
• Instruct you not to speak with an attorney or family member
• Send a false warrant by text message or email
• Direct you to a payment application or cryptocurrency kiosk
• Manipulate caller ID so the call appears to come from a government agency

The Colorado Attorney General has warned that jury duty scammers may seek cash, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or electronic payments through applications such as Venmo or Zelle. Scammers may also seek sensitive personal information or attempt to keep the victim on the telephone until payment is completed.

The FTC has also warned that scammers may send official-looking documents that falsely claim an arrest warrant has been issued. Caller ID may appear to show a real police department or federal agency, but caller-ID information can be manipulated.

Will a Colorado Court Call and Demand Payment for Missing Jury Duty?

No.

The Colorado Judicial Branch states that law enforcement and courts will not call and demand money for a missed jury summons. Correspondence from a court jury office concerning a missed summons will arrive by mail as an official document titled “Failure to Appear Notice.”

The Colorado Attorney General likewise advises that courts contact people who have missed jury service through official mail, not through calls, texts, or emails demanding payment.

Real law enforcement will not text or email an arrest warrant, demand payment over the telephone, or threaten to arrest you for ending the call.

How to Verify a Colorado Jury Summons

To determine whether you were actually summoned for jury service:

1. End the suspicious call.
2. Do not call the number displayed on caller ID.
3. Do not use a number supplied by the caller.
4. Contact the jury commissioner for your county.
5. Ask the jury office to verify your juror information and reporting date.

The Colorado Judicial Branch maintains an official Jury Commissioners by County directory containing county jury-office contact information.

General information about jury reporting, postponements, juror numbers, and county-specific procedures is also available through the official Colorado Jury Information page.

What Should You Do After Receiving a Suspicious Court Text or Call?

Do Not Click, Pay, or Provide Information

Do not:

• Click a link
• Scan a QR code
• Open an attachment
• Reply to the message
• Call a number contained in the message
• Provide your Social Security number or date of birth
• Provide bank or credit-card information
• Purchase gift cards or cryptocurrency
• Send money through a payment application
• Allow the caller to pressure you into remaining on the telephone

Courts do not ask prospective jurors for sensitive information over the telephone, and government agencies do not require payment through gift cards, payment applications, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers.

Preserve Useful Information

Before deleting the communication, consider preserving:

• A screenshot of the text
• The sender’s telephone number
• The website address
• The caller’s claimed name, title, and agency
• Any claimed badge number
• Payment instructions
• Emails or attachments
• The date and time of the communication

Do not reopen a suspicious website merely to collect additional evidence.

Verify the Claim Independently

Use contact information obtained from an official source, including:

• The Colorado Judicial Branch
• The appropriate county courthouse
• Your county jury commissioner
• Your county sheriff’s office
• Your local police department
• Court documents you previously received
• Your attorney

What Should You Do If You Clicked a Fraudulent Link?

If you clicked a suspicious link but did not provide information:

1. Close the website.
2. Do not download or install anything.
3. Update your device’s security software.
4. Run a security scan.
5. Change passwords for potentially affected accounts.
6. Enable multifactor authentication where available.
7. Monitor your email, financial accounts, and online accounts for unusual activity.

The FTC recommends updating security software and running a scan when a phishing link or attachment may have downloaded malicious software.

What Should You Do If You Shared Personal or Financial Information?

If you sent money or disclosed sensitive information:

1. Contact your bank, credit-card issuer, or payment provider immediately.
2. Report the transaction as fraudulent.
3. Ask whether the payment can be stopped, reversed, or recalled.
4. Change affected passwords and security questions.
5. Review your accounts for unauthorized activity.
6. Consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze on your credit reports.
7. Report suspected identity theft through IdentityTheft.gov.
8. Report the incident to law enforcement and consumer-protection agencies.

The Colorado Judicial Branch specifically advises people who clicked a fraudulent link or disclosed information to contact their bank and consider placing a fraud alert on their credit file. The FTC also recommends contacting the payment provider promptly and using IdentityTheft.gov when sensitive identifying information has been compromised.

Where to Report a Colorado Court or Jury Duty Scam

Local Sheriff’s Office or Police Department

Report a suspicious jury duty call to your local sheriff’s office or police department. Locate the agency’s telephone number independently through its official website.

Call 911 only when there is an immediate threat to personal safety.

Colorado Attorney General

Report suspected government-impersonation fraud through Stop Fraud Colorado.

The Colorado Judicial Branch directs residents to notify the Colorado Attorney General’s Office about suspicious jury duty calls. Stop Fraud Colorado provides fraud information and access to the Attorney General’s consumer complaint process.

Federal Trade Commission

Report fraudulent telephone calls, texts, emails, phishing attempts, and payment demands through ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center

Fraud involving a phishing website, electronic payment, cryptocurrency, or other internet-enabled conduct may also be reported through the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center.

The FBI describes IC3 as its central reporting hub for cyber-enabled crime and accepts complaints involving online fraud and government impersonation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Colorado Court Scams

Do Colorado courts send text messages?

Colorado courts may send reminders connected to an existing court appearance. An unexpected text announcing a new case, directing you to an unfamiliar website, or demanding payment should be treated as suspicious and independently verified.

Is “District Court of the State of Colorado” a legitimate court name?

The Colorado Judicial Branch has warned that a fraudulent message using the generic name “District Court of the State of Colorado” is not legitimate. Genuine notices identify the specific court and judicial district.

Is a case number beginning with CO-DC-2026-TR legitimate?

The Colorado Judicial Branch has identified that format as inconsistent with Colorado’s court case-number system and associated it with the fraudulent text-message scheme.

Will a Colorado court call me about missing jury duty?

A court or law-enforcement agency will not call and demand money for a missed jury summons. Official correspondence concerning a missed summons is sent by mail as a “Failure to Appear Notice.”

Will law enforcement text or email an arrest warrant?

The FTC advises that real law enforcement will not text or email an arrest warrant. An official-looking warrant sent after a threatening call may be entirely fabricated.

Can a scammer make caller ID display a real government number?

Yes. Caller-ID information can be manipulated to appear as though a call came from a court, police department, sheriff’s office, or federal agency. End the call and contact the agency independently.

How do I check whether I have jury duty in Colorado?

Contact your county jury commissioner through the official Colorado Jury Commissioners by County directory.

Should I pay a fine to avoid arrest for missing jury duty?

No. Courts do not demand payment over the telephone. Requests for gift cards, cryptocurrency, payment applications, or wire transfers are signs of fraud.

Protect Yourself From Colorado Court Impersonation Scams

A fraudulent communication may include your name, address, the name of a real judge or police officer, an official-looking government logo, a convincing case number, or caller-ID information that appears legitimate.

Those details do not establish that the communication is authentic.

The safest response is to stop, avoid clicking or paying, and independently contact the court, county jury commissioner, or law-enforcement agency through an official website.

Never allow urgency, threats, or caller-ID information to replace independent verification

Receiving genuine court papers is different from receiving a fraudulent message. Real court documents may contain important deadlines and should not be ignored. Anyone who receives authentic court papers and does not understand the required response should promptly consult a qualified Colorado attorney.

To learn more about our top-rated legal services, please complete our online form or call 719-634-1848 or 303-805-9353 to schedule a free initial consultation.

Official Colorado and Federal Resources

• Colorado Judicial Branch
• Colorado Court Docket Search
• Colorado Jury Information
• Colorado Jury Commissioners by County
• Stop Fraud Colorado
• Federal Trade Commission Fraud Reporting
• FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
• Federal Identity Theft Assistance

This article provides general information concerning Colorado court and jury duty scams. It does not constitute legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship.