Former Colorado Supreme Court Justice Melissa Hart Passes Away

DENVER, Colorado — The Colorado legal and judicial community is mourning the passing of former Colorado Supreme Court Justice Melissa Hart, who died on Thursday, October 1, 2026, at the age of 57.

Hart was appointed to the Colorado Supreme Court in December 2017 by former Governor John Hickenlooper to fill the vacancy created by Justice Allison H. Eid. Before her bench appointment, she spent over 17 years as a professor at the University of Colorado Law School, where she served as the Schaden Chair and directed the Byron R. White Center for the Study of American Constitutional Law. A graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School, Hart clerked for Judge Guido Calabresi of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens. She stepped down from the bench on January 5, 2026, after serving eight years on the state's high court.

Official Status and Family Announcements

The Colorado Judicial Branch and the Colorado Supreme Court formally announced Hart's passing, honoring her significant judicial service, civic contributions, and commitment to equal access to justice.

Hart had previously taken a personal leave of absence in late 2025 before submitting her formal resignation, citing health issues related to concussions. An official cause of death has not been publicly released out of respect for family privacy. She is survived by her husband, attorney Kevin Traskos, and their two children. Details regarding public memorial services, judicial tributes, or family-designated charitable contributions will be announced once finalized by her family and the Colorado Judicial Branch.

Community Tributes and Legal Legacy

News of Melissa Hart’s passing has drawn widespread tributes from current state supreme court justices, former governors, legal educators, and bar associations across Colorado.

Colleagues and former students remembered Hart as a brilliant legal scholar, a compassionate mentor, and a steadfast advocate for unrepresented litigants through her work with the Colorado Access to Justice Commission and the state’s licensed legal paraprofessional program. Deepest condolences and ongoing support continue to be extended to her family and loved ones.