The Courthouse Stained Glass Was Designed By A Swiss Artist Whose Name Is Lost To History

The State Motto appears in numerous places in the Courthouse. The Colorado state motto is “Nil sine numine,” which is Latin for “Nothing without providence” or “Nothing without the deity.” This phrase suggests that all endeavors and achievements are dependent on a higher power or divine guidance. The motto reflects a belief in the importance of divine influence in the success and prosperity of the state.

The Courthouse was built with attention to every detail. It’s ubiquitous white marble is the rare white marble from Marble, Colorado. The same white marble is found in the Lincoln Memorial and in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The Courthouse is another example of a haunted Colorado building. A young ghost boy lives on the 4th floor of this architectural gem, and is heard playing there from time to time.  People have different reasons for not preferring to work late, alone,  in the dark, in an old creaky building! The beauty fades when the lights go out and the ghost comes out! At least they are not “really alone.”

         Even the “Usually Ignored” Architectural Details Were Done With Marble and Attention To Detail!

                     Attorneys Were Treated With Respect, Warranting Their Own Door Into Courtroom

The ceiling details were painted over in the 1030’s as part of a WPA project. It was restored to its original beauty in the 1960’s.Sequestered juries were housed in men’s and women’s bedrooms on the 4th Floor. Modern practice is to house sequestered juries in local motels. Keeping the jurors in the courthose had several advantages. They were not exposed to outside information, transportation was not necessary, and the County saved some money in housing those who served.

      The Stained Glass Windows Are Different On Every Floor

Thanks to our neighbors in Greeley! And thanks again to Grace Moreno, the Water Court Specialist who arranged the permissions and logistics to make this adventure possible. The interest in the history of the building by those who work in the building is evident. From the Sheriff’s Deputies to the Court Clerks, all were knowledgeable about the history and as fascinated by the building and its history as we were, if not even more!

All pics: Lenny Lensworth Frieling

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Leonard Frieling Pen Of Justice Legal Blogger

• Senior Counsel Emeritus to the Boulder Law firm Dolan + Zimmerman LLP : (720)-610-0951
• Former Judge
• Photographer of the Year, AboutBoulder 2023
• First Chair and Originator of the Colorado Bar Association’s Cannabis Law Committee, a National first.
• Previous Chair, Boulder Criminal Defense Bar (8 years)
• Twice chair Executive Counsel, Colorado Bar Association Criminal Law Section
• NORML Distinguished Counsel Circle
• Life Member, NORML Legal Committee
• Life Member, Colorado Criminal Defense Bar
• Board Member Emeritus, Colorado NORML
• Chair, Colorado NORML, 7 years including during the successful effort to legalize recreational pot in Colorado
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• Board member, Author, and Editor for Criminal Law Articles for the Colorado Lawyer, primary publication of the Colorado Bar Assoc. 7 Years, in addition to having 2 Colorado Lawyer cover photos, and numerous articles for the Colorado Lawyer monthly publication.
• LEAP Speaker, multi-published author, University lectures Univ. of Colorado, Boulder, Denver University Law School, Univ. of New Mexico, Las Vegas NM, and many other schools at all levels.
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