Hinds v. Foreman.

2026 CO 9. No. 24SC698. Civil Procedure—Anti-SLAPP Statute—Appellate Review of County Court Final Judgments.

February 2, 2026

This case required the supreme court to determine whether a final judgment granting a special motion to dismiss under the anti-SLAPP (strategic lawsuit against public participation) statute, CRS § 13-20-1101, may be appealed from a county court to the court of appeals.

The court held that § 13-20-1101 and § 13-4-102.2 are unconstitutional to the extent that they authorize the court of appeals to review a final judgment of a county court, because article VI, § 17 of the Colorado Constitution requires that a final judgment of the county court be reviewed on appeal either by a district court or the supreme court.

Thus, the court concluded that the court of appeals lacked jurisdiction over the petitioner’s appeal and accordingly remanded the case to the division with directions to dismiss the appeal.