Judicial Department seeks ongoing operating funds to refresh AV and data‑center equipment; estimates 470 courtrooms statewide

The Colorado Judicial Department presented an operating request (R06) to the Joint Technology Committee seeking ongoing cash‑fund spending authority to maintain existing systems, refresh data‑center hardware and continue an audiovisual (AV) program intended to support virtual court proceedings.

"R06 is to be able to keep our team refreshing those courtrooms and the equipment within it," Jason Bergbauer, deputy director of services for Judicial IT, said. Bergbauer described the AV program as a nine‑year equipment life‑cycle effort established to improve remote participation and streaming quality for participants and viewers.

Bergbauer told the committee the department has about 470 courtrooms statewide. The team has completed roughly 95 room upgrades at the time they wrote the request and can complete about 47 courtrooms per year, which leaves approximately 375 remaining for a full phased rollout under the nine‑year plan.

Committee members asked about utilization and whether every courtroom needs a full AV install, and the department agreed to provide harder data on remote participation rates. The chair also asked whether the state's new right‑to‑repair law (effective in January) had been considered for maintenance cost savings; Tesfaye said ongoing maintenance is intended to maintain existing infrastructure and that repairability is part of the approach.

The committee also discussed fiscal pressure from a House bill requiring remote participation referenced in the hearing (bill number as referenced in the transcript: "House Bill 203-1182") and acknowledged the law’s contribution to AV cost needs. The committee made no decision on R06 and will revisit budget choices when it reconvenes on Feb. 15.