US Courts

Peo v. Smith - Criminal Theft Conviction Affirmed

Colorado Court of Appeals affirmed Kurt A. Smith's theft conviction (Class 6 felony, property value $2,000-$5,000). Smith challenged the trial court's admission of hearsay evidence regarding the stolen trailer's value and the constitutionality of the reasonable doubt jury instruction. Division I rejected both arguments and affirmed the judgment.

Marriage of Granquist - Divorce Property Division and Maintenance

The Colorado Court of Appeals reversed and remanded the district court's judgment in Granquist v. Granquist (No. 25CA0715), a dissolution of marriage proceeding. The appellate court reversed the property division and maintenance portions of the permanent orders and remanded the case for further proceedings consistent with its opinion. Division VII issued the decision on April 2, 2026.

Peo v. Aragon - Second Degree Assault Conviction Reversed

The Colorado Court of Appeals reversed David Cristobal Aragon's second degree assault conviction and remanded for a new trial. The appellate court held the district court committed plain error by failing to define "harm" in the jury instructions under section 18-3-203(1)(h), C.R.S. Applying the Plemmons v. People standard, the court found sufficient evidence supported the convictions, so double jeopardy does not bar retrial.

Peo v. Toler-Anderson - Criminal Conviction Affirmed

The Colorado Court of Appeals affirmed the second degree murder conviction of Paris Toler-Anderson (Docket No. 23CA0176). Division VI rejected the defendant's claims of evidentiary error under CRE 404(b), prosecutorial misconduct, and cumulative trial errors. The defendant was residing at a community corrections facility when the underlying events occurred. The decision is non-precedential under C.A.R. 35(e).

Peo v. Albat - Criminal Postconviction Appeal

The Colorado Court of Appeals affirmed the denial of Corey Ray Albat's Crim. P. 35(c) motion for postconviction relief in his first-degree murder conviction. The defendant appealed the district court's decision, arguing ineffective assistance of counsel regarding trial strategy on self-defense and intoxication defenses.

Marriage of Scott - Divorce Property Division

The Colorado Court of Appeals affirmed the Weld County District Court's permanent orders in the dissolution of marriage proceeding between Toni Scott and Larry Scott (Case No. 25CA0440). The appellate court upheld the trial court's judgment regarding property division, including interests in the Rhoades Farm and associated mineral rights, following husband's appeal. Division V affirmed in a non-precedential opinion.

Stansbury v. Kropf - Breach of Contract and Warranty

The Colorado Court of Appeals, Division V, affirmed the trial court's judgment denying plaintiffs Jerry Stansbury, Front Row Seat, Inc., and Cortez Main, LLC's claims for breach of contract and express warranty against defendants Verlin Kropf and Mountain West Roofing, LLC. The dispute concerned a 2009 commercial roof installation with a 15-year limited warranty. The court applied the economic loss rule to bar tort claims and found the warranty claim failed on the merits.

Peo v. Rader - Criminal Appeal

Colorado Court of Appeals Division VI affirmed the conviction and sentence of Robert Steven Rader on charges of sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust as part of a pattern of abuse, along with his adjudication as a habitual criminal. Rader raised four claims on appeal regarding evidentiary rulings, sentence enhancement, SOLSA sentencing, and proportionality review—all of which the court rejected. The judgment was affirmed in a non-precedential opinion.

Peo v. Li - Criminal Appeal Affirmed

The Colorado Court of Appeals affirmed the second degree murder conviction of Lin F. Li in case 22CA1584. The jury found Li guilty after he pistol-whipped and shot the victim during an argument at a house party. Li was sentenced to 48 years in the custody of the Department of Corrections.

Marriage of Larock - Divorce Appeal

The Colorado Court of Appeals affirmed a divorce judgment from Arapahoe County District Court in the Marriage of Larock case. The appellate court upheld rulings on property division, spousal maintenance, and child support while remanding for correction of a typographical error in the valuation of one marital residence.