The jury shall consist of six persons, unless the parties agree to a smaller number, not less than three. The parties may stipulate at any time before the verdict is returned that a verdict or a finding of a stated majority of the jurors shall be taken as the verdict or finding of the jury.
Rule 48.Number of Jurors
Current through June 1, 2026 · Last verified July 10, 2026
In one sentenceRule 48 fixes the size of a Colorado civil jury at six members, allows the parties to agree to as few as three, and lets them stipulate in advance that a stated majority’s verdict — rather than a unanimous one — will count as the jury’s verdict.
Full Text of Rule 48
Amendment History
The source reproduced here (current through June 1, 2026) records no amendment to this rule since its original adoption — no Credits line appears for it in the compiled rules. For the underlying adopting order and any later amendments, see the Colorado General Assembly.
Plain-English Summary
Rule 48 sets the default size of a Colorado civil jury at six people. The parties are not locked into that number, though: they may agree to try the case to a smaller panel, so long as it does not drop below three jurors.
The rule also lets the parties change how a verdict is reached. Ordinarily a civil verdict must be unanimous, but at any point before the verdict comes in, the parties may stipulate that a stated majority of the jurors — rather than all of them — can render the verdict or finding for the jury.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many jurors sit on a Colorado civil jury?
Six, unless the parties agree to a smaller panel. Rule 48 sets six as the standard number but allows the parties to agree to fewer, down to a minimum of three.
Can a Colorado civil jury verdict be reached by less than a unanimous vote?
Yes, if the parties stipulate to it. Rule 48 lets the parties agree, any time before the verdict is returned, that a stated majority of the jurors’ verdict or finding will count as the jury’s verdict.
Can the parties agree to a jury of fewer than six?
Yes, as long as the panel does not go below three jurors. Rule 48 requires the parties’ agreement to reduce the panel size below six.
Source & verification. The rule text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure (Colo. R. Civ. P. 48). Prescribed by the Supreme Court of Colorado (C.R.S. § 13-2-108; Colo. Const. art. VI). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 10, 2026. ·
Official source
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