Subject matter jurisdiction defines a court’s power to decide a lawsuit involving a particular subject matter, and to render an enforceable judgment. A court generally has jurisdiction when the particular claim raised in the case is within its constitutional jurisdiction—as provided by the state constitution or the U.S. Constitution—or because jurisdiction has been mandated by the state legislature or the United States Congress.

In Colorado, subject matter jurisdiction refers to a court's authority to hear cases of a specific nature. This jurisdiction is determined by both the Colorado state constitution and statutes, as well as relevant federal laws and the U.S. Constitution. The Colorado state legislature and the United States Congress can enact laws that define and limit the types of cases state courts and federal courts, respectively, can hear. For example, Colorado district courts have general jurisdiction and can hear a wide range of cases, including civil, criminal, probate, and domestic relations matters. On the other hand, Colorado county courts have limited jurisdiction and typically handle misdemeanors, traffic infractions, and civil cases under a certain monetary threshold. The Colorado Court of Appeals and the Colorado Supreme Court have appellate jurisdiction, primarily reviewing decisions from lower courts. Federal courts, such as the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado, have jurisdiction over cases involving federal law, disputes between states, and cases where the parties are from different states and the amount in controversy exceeds a statutory threshold.