*1 PENA, Denver, Mayor of T.J. Federico
Hackworth, Carpio, Robert Salvador Jr.,
Crider, Davis, Cathy Do Hiawatha
nohue, McIntire, Reyn Cathy Nieves
olds, Scheitler, Silchia, William John J. Swalm, Den
and Paul Members of the Licht, City Council,
ver Michael Denver Auditor, Shaw,
City Thomas Denver Services,
Manager and Wil of General Smith, Manager Pub
liam E. Denver Works, Petitioners,
lic
v. OF the SECOND DISTRICT COURT In and For the
JUDICIAL DISTRICT DENVER, AND OF
CITY COUNTY
and the Honorable Sandra I. Rothen
berg, Judge in and for District Court Denver, Elmer Mozee, Defendant,
E. James D. Thom
as, Administrator, Respon State Court
dents.
No. 83SA286. Colorado,
Supreme Court of
En Banc.
April 1984. *2 Zall, City Atty., George
Max P. J. Cer- rone, Jr., Denver, City Atty., peti- Asst. tioners. Mathis,
Hughes Dorsey, Karen J. Nan- & Reid, cy Denver, respondents. NEIGHBORS, Justice. original proceeding pursu-
This is an filed ant to C.A.R. 21 and section 3 of article VI of the Colorado Constitution in which the petitioners, Mayor Pena, al., Federico et respondent contest the judge’s jurisdiction to order the issuance of an amended cita- why tion to show cause and Coun- ty of Denver should not be temperature lower the in Courtroom 21 of the Denver District Court. We issued a why respondents rule to show cause prohibited should not be proceeding from against petitioners pursuant to the amended citation to show cause. We now make the rule absolute.
I. 8, 1983,Judge On June Sandra I. Rothen- respondent, berg, presiding was over a criminal case in the Denver District Court in which the charged defendant was conditions, equate specifically proceed- murder.1 The trial was courtroom attempted 21; (3) ing routinely in Courtroom when ventilation Courtroom ordered healthy juror became ill from the young, the clerk of the court to issue an amended delayed juror heat. The trial was while par- citation to cause directed to all time, During this rested. adjudication ties for a full McNichols, judge spoke with William H. issues;2 hearing July set a date of *3 Mayor City County and then the permit parties in order to the added (County). Mayor McNichols ad- Denver present arguments regarding their respon- respondent that it was the vised facilities, adequacy of the courtroom (State) sibility of the State of Colorado intervention, necessity ap- of court and the County than the to cool the court- rather propriate remedy, any; if and denied the respondent day, On that room. petitioners’ stay pro- motion for a of the directed the Clerk of the Denver District ceeding. Court to issue a citation to show cause petitioners were served with ordering D. Lamm and Governor Richard 12, 1983, July amended citation on and filed McNichols, Mayor rep- or their authorized original July proceeding this on 1983. resentatives, appear before the court on We issued the rule to show cause and or- 6, 1983, July “why they cause stay proceedings respon- dered a in the temper- should not be ordered to lower the 14,1983. July dent court on ature in Courtroom 21 of the Denver Dis- petitioners concede that Colorado habitable, and trict Court to a healthful possess However, powers. courts inherent properly temperature.” The ci- ventilated they claim that the doctrine of inherent upon appropriate per- tation was served powers abrogated, has been or at least governor’s mayor’s son in both the limited, severely adoption of consti- offices. tutional, statutory, procedural, and admin- 28, 1983, respondent judge On June regulations. istrative rules and Since the prehearing held an informal conference for petitioners contend that the district court purpose clarifying the issues to be comply applicable failed to rules July represent- Attorneys resolved on 6. procedures, they argue that the court and ing County orally the State and the re- jurisdic- acted without and excess of its quested respondent that the court vacate by ordering the clerk to an tion issue quash the order and the citation on the why amended citation to show cause grounds respondent that the court lacked petitioners should not be ordered to lower personal jurisdiction and matter temperature in 21. Courtroom over them and had acted without and in statutory authority by issuing excess of its
the order and citation. The II. judge directed counsel to file written mo- Article III of the Constitu Colorado July tions and continued the case until powers govern tion divides the of state 1983. co-equal ment into three distinct and that, departments or and directs 6, 1983, branches July respondent judge
On
the»
person
persons
or collection of
hearing.
conducted a
theAt
conclusion of
“[n]o
charged
powers prop
hearing,
with the exercise of
granted
she
the State’s
erly belonging
departments
to one of these
ground
motion to dismiss on the
that it has
any power properly belong
duty
provide adequate
no
in shall exercise
courtrooms
others_”
ing
County;
Denver
determined that
to either of the
The fun-
responsible maintaining
meaning
separation
was
ad- damental
caption
People
mayor,
1. The
v.
case is
Elmer E.
and
city
of Denver:
members of the
Mozee,
council, auditor,
general
Criminal
manager,
Action No. 82CR2097.
services
public
manager;
D.
works
as well as James
parties
2. The
to whom the amended citation was
Thomas, State Court Administrator.
following
issued include the
officials of the
powers
powers
that the
doctrine is
three branches
at 22. The inherent
coordinate,
government
separate,
possess
are
powers
courts
consist of: “[A]ll
Miller,
equal.
reasonably required
Smith v.
158 Colo.
to enable a court to
40-41,
(1963),
functions,
perform efficiently
384 P.2d
we
its
protect
dignity, independence,
integ
stated:
rity, and to make its lawful actions effec
ingrained principle
“It
is an
in our
powers
tive. These
are inherent
in the
government
departments
that the three
they
sense
exist because the court
are coordinate and shall
exists;
is,
the court
therefore it has the
co-operate
complement,
and at
reasonably
required to act
an
as
the same time act as checks and balances
(Emphasis
origi
efficient court.” Id.
against one another but shall not inter-
nal.) Accordingly,
adopted
this court has
fere with or encroach on the
or
general
rule that the
branch of
province
within the
of the other. The
government possesses
the inherent
departments
and executive
*4
compel payment
to determine and
of those
their
functions and their exclusive
money
sums of
which are reasonable and
powers, including
‘purse’
and the
necessary
carry
to
out its mandated re
judiciary
‘sword.’ The
has its exclusive
sponsibilities. Smith,
35,
153 Colo.
384
functions,
powers
judg-
to-wit: it has
policy
P.2d 738. The
sup
consideration
power
judg-
ment and the
to enforce its
porting
cogently
this rule was
in
stated
responsibil-
ments and orders.
In their
Tate,
Commonwealth ex rel. Carroll v.
duties,
ities and
the courts must have
45,
(1971) (Pom
442 Pa.
274 A.2d
202
complete independence. ...
is the
[I]t
J.,
eroy,
concurring):
genius
government
of our
that the courts
acknowledged
“It must be
also that crit-
independent, unfettered,
must be
needs,
ically important
especially in
directives, influence,
free from
or inter-
cities,
large
competing strenuously
are
any
ference from
extraneous source.
It
revenues,
for a share of tax
and this in a
is
principles
legal
abhorrent to the
of our
period of serious inflation.
system
No evidence
and to our form of
governments
to
courts,
establish that
being
that
depart-
a coordinate
at all
experiencing
levels are
fi-
government,
severe
ment of
should be com-
opinion
nancial strains.
pelled
As the
of the
depend upon
to
vagaries
of an
out,
points
however,
Court
the court sys-
extrinsic will. Such would interfere with
in Philadelphia
tem
operation
courts,
just
is not
another
impinge upon
competing
need;
cause or
it
their
is itself a
thwart
effective ad-
separate
government, co-equal
branch of
justice.
ministration
principles,
These
legislative
executive and
concepts, and
branch-
thoroughly
doctrines are so
es headed
the defendants in this
legal system
embedded in our
case.
they
that
degree,
The distinction is one not of
but
have become bone and sinew of our state
of kind. No doubt the courts must
polity.”
and national
be
mindful, making
the estimates of their
separation
powers
doctrine
needs,
financial
of the needs of the total
imposes upon
judiciary
proscription
community
problems
and of the
against interfering with the executive or
legislative
them;
funding
branch in
but
branches,
legislative
duty
as well as a
to
having
the courts
made their determina-
perform its constitutional
statutory
ob
being
tion as
reasonably necessary to
ligations
complete
independence. See
performance of their constitutional func-
Smith,
957 partments provide reasonably proceed cautiously courts must when invok- necessary operate branch of ing powers. their inherent The need which government is not of origin. recent As the powers causes a court to such invoke must Pennsylvania Supreme stated in Court reasonably be necessary proper for its Carroll, Commonwealth ex rel. 274 A.2d functioning, and this determination is sub- at 199: ject appellate Moreover, review. a court “Mr. Chief Justice Marshall said may exercise its only inherent when Maryland,
McCulloch v.
17 U.S.
established methods for procuring neces-
(1819),
Wheat.
L.Ed. 579
sary funds have failed and the court has
'...
to tax involves the
determined that
assistance
’
destroy;
Legislature
... A
has the
performance
for the effective
power of life and death over all the
functions cannot
by any
be obtained
other
Sys-
Courts and over the entire Judicial
O’Coin’s,
means. See
Inc. v. Treasurer of
Legislature
tem. Unless the
can be com-
Worcester,
362-Mass.
pelled by
the Courts to
the mon-
(1972).
N.E.2d 608
ey
reasonably necessary
which is
proper functioning and administration of
A.
Courts,
system
our entire Judicial
petitioners
argue
by adopt
extirpated,
Legislature
could be
ing
106(a)
C.R.C.P.
this court has abolished
mockery
could make a
of our form of
practice
using special
writs and di
co-equal
Government with its
three
procedures
rected that rules and
pro
Executive,
Legislative
branches—the
*5
process
vide due
be followed in matters
and the Judicial.”
formerly
by
resolved
such extraordinary
Trial
increasingly
courts have
in
Thus,
proceedings.
petitioners argue
voked the inherent
doctrine to com
that
person-
court
in
lacked
pel appropriations
expenditures
or
of funds
am and
jurisdiction
matter
over
judicial purposes.
for
Appellate courts
them because
the court could not exer
uniformly upheld
the exercise of this
jurisdiction
cise
filing
without the
aof com
power
expenses
when such
were reason
plaint
summons;
there are no
ably necessary
operation
to the efficient
of
parties
adverse
in
proceeding,
thus no
performance
the court or the
of
controversy exists.
functions and were
necessary by
made
arguments
These
refusal of the
are without merit.
In
legislative
executive or
County,
Colo.App.
branch to
Lawson v. Pueblo
36
requests.3
honor
reasonable
370,
However,
(1975),
540 P.2d
the inherent
of
1136
the court of
courts is
public
appeals
not
requires
unlimited. The
held that relief in
interest
the nature of
that
government
the three
proper remedy
branches of
mandamus is a
to force
cooperatively
work
harmony.
compliance
and in
See
with a statute which contains
Fawell,
Knuepfer
284,
v.
96 Ill.2d
mandatory language
places
70 Ill.
continuing
708,
(1983). Thus,
Dec.
court facilities.
deny remedy
judiciary
to the
“[i]ndeed, to
a
same.”
only make that branch of
would not
...
42-43,
(emphasis
742
Id. at
384 P.2d at
arbitrary
to the
subservient
added).
(or inaction) of the executive branch
action
jurisdictions have simi
of other
Courts
branch
also allow the executive
but would
courts to
recognized
larly
impunity,
specific
di-
ignore,
other than
proceedings by means
initiate
36
rectives of the
branch.”
Knuepfer,
of a civil action. institution
P.2d at 1138.
Colo.App. at
540
(case
N.E.2d 1312
be
70 Ill.Dec.
449
Smith,
P.2d
153 Colo.
order);
administrative
gan
as
court’s
court
initiated suit
judges of the district
O’Coin’s, Inc.,
(court
up
Hence a
the circum-
B.
by
stances shown
this record would have
petitioners
The
also contend that the re-
judges
to
been for the
involved
spondent judge’s
inherent
to order
certified to the Board of
Commis-
the amended citation to
the clerk to issue
sioners a schedule of salaries fixed for
abrogated, or at least
show cause has been
compensation
the
of the several clerical
in
superseded, by
provisions
set forth
involved,
employees
whereupon it would
5, article
of the
Consti-
section
VI
Colorado
upon
procure
the Board to
devolve
tution;
13-3-108, C.R.S.1973; and
section
furnish the funds to meet such schedule.
disa-
Chief Justice Directive No. 79-6. We
In the event
or
refusal
failure
gree
argument.
with their
so,
might properly
do
the court
issue a
constitution,
our
the inher
Under
citation or rule directed to
Board to
compel
expendi
ent
of a court to
why
cause
an order should not be
show
reasonably necessary
ture of
for the
compelling compliance
entered
with
adequate functioning
system
of the court
the schedule as so
Unless the
certified.
Therefore,
lodged
judiciary.
in the
such
Board
was able
establish that
inherent
cannot be taken from the
wholly
schedule of salaries so fixed was
unreasonable,
given to either the executive or
courts and
capricious
arbitrary,
See State ex rel.
legislative branches.
compelling compliance
an order
there-
Moran,
tions, provide adequate must and maintain (b) administrator, The court with the Specifical- courtrooms and other facilities. approval justice, of the chief shall enter 13-3-108, C.R.S.1973, ly, section stated: leasing agreements into govern- ing body appropriate “Maintenance court local unit of facilities—
capital
improvements.
joint
The board
when
construction is
authorized,
county
county
in
approved
commissioners
each
or when the
facili-
responsibility
shall continue to have the
ties are also to
nonjudicial
be used for
providing
maintaining adequate
purposes.
leasing agreement
The
shall
courtrooms and
payment
other court facilities in-
of state funds
service,
cluding janitorial
except
portion
as oth-
for that
of the construction costs
provided
erwise
in
operation
this section.
related to the
of the courts.”
administrator,
The
court
administrator,
the state court
after
approval
justice,
of the chief
shall
following
statutory procedure
set forth
prepare annually
capital
construction
above,
seeking
filed an action
a writ
budget.
capital
budget
construction
nature
against
of mandamus
the Pueblo
specify:
shall
The additional court hous- County Commissioners to enforce subsec-
ing
court;
facilities
for each
Lawson,
tion
of the statute. See
estimated cost of such additional struc-
Colo.App.
DUBOFSKY, Justice,
dissenting:
96 Ill.2d
(1983);
70 Ill.Dec.
However, where the method contained in 79-6,
Directive No. or other established procuring necessary
methods attempted attempts
have been
failed, a district court maintains its authori-
ty expenditures necessary to order performance
effective of its own functions
under the inherent doctrine. City,
Rose v. Palm Beach
