The students of Mead High School sat in rapt attention as Justice Richard Gabriel of the Colorado Supreme Court shared insights from his years on the bench. It was the eighth consecutive year that he and his fellow justices had made the trip to Mead, a tradition built on the belief that the judicial system should be transparent and accessible.

“This is a great joy,” Justice Gabriel said. “These are up-and-coming voters and citizens, and we want them to be educated. If they understand how the courts work, they see the rigor that goes into making decisions—and that tends to breed respect for the courts.”

Through the Our Courts Colorado initiative, Justice Gabriel has dedicated himself to civic education, ensuring that students gain a nuanced understanding of the judicial process. Each year, Mead High students read real court cases, preparing thoughtful questions for the justices.

“As you saw, I had a whole bunch of prepared questions—and they were excellent, every one of them,” he remarked with admiration. “Here at Mead High School, the students always read a couple of our cases before we come in, and they get to ask us what went into the decision. They go straight to the most difficult issues that the court faced.”

A Lasting Impact on Students

The opportunity to engage with Supreme Court justices left a profound impression on Mead students, many of whom were struck by the depth of the discussions and the personal stories shared by the visiting judges.

“I enjoyed the fact that we already researched the cases beforehand so that we could have a discussion about the specifics of the law, rather than a general conversation about the Colorado Supreme Court,” said Elena Gomez, who met Justice Maria Berkenkotter.

Beyond legal discussions, students were inspired by the justices’ perspectives on civic engagement and respectful dialogue.

“We as a society need to learn civil discourse,” said Josh Gonslaves, who met Justice Gabriel. His sentiment was echoed by Karissa Erickson, who appreciated the justices’ thoughtful approach to discussion: “I loved the refreshing take on how to disagree and debate respectfully.”

For some students, the visit reinforced their personal aspirations. Kiana Melgar, who met Justice Carlos Samour, found motivation in his personal journey.

“I loved hearing about the life experience from someone who came into the country with nothing, not knowing the language. He and his family worked hard to get what they have—they earned this life,” she said. “Yes, I’ve always dreamed about being a lawyer mainly because I’m very intrigued by the law and love helping people during vulnerable moments.”

Others, like Ayden Kohlscheen, left with a deeper appreciation for legal knowledge, even if they don’t plan to enter the field.

“I never really wanted to go into law, but everyone should know about the fundamentals of it,” Ayden said after meeting Justice Hood. Mikey Carrigan agreed, noting, “I enjoyed how engaged Justice Will Hood was with the class. He was very funny and kept me awake, engaged, and excited. There will always be a part of me that wants to be a lawyer.”

The Teachers’ Perspective: A Tradition of Engagement

For Mead High School government teacher Alex Garcia, this annual tradition has been invaluable in shaping students’ understanding of the judicial process.

“For eight years running, I so appreciate that these very busy Colorado judges take time to drive down to Mead each year to interact with every single junior at Mead,” Garcia said. “Students are always impressed to see our Colorado Supreme Court Justices as human beings with personal biases who nevertheless strive to put their biases aside when making rulings on cases.”

Garcia noted that students particularly enjoy hearing the justices’ personal stories—how they worked their way up to the Supreme Court and the challenges they face in the role.

“Students are also always impressed at how many hours the judges work per week and how seriously they take serving every citizen of Colorado,” Garcia added. “With that said, it surprised students to learn that judges sometimes receive death threats for rulings they make.”

A Meaningful Learning Experience

Each year, these visits give students the chance to engage in discussions that go far beyond the classroom. They gain insight into real-world legal decisions, learn to analyze complex cases, and see firsthand the kind of reasoning and effort that goes into each ruling.

For some students, meeting the justices reinforced their interest in law as a career. Others may never step into a courtroom, but they walked away with a stronger understanding of how the judicial system affects their lives.

Above all, these conversations encouraged students to ask questions, think critically, and see the courts as more than just an abstract branch of government. The experience gave them a glimpse into the work of those shaping the law in Colorado—an opportunity they won’t soon forget.