Melissa Hart Obituary, Denver, Colorado, Cause of Death: Former Colorado Supreme Court Justice Dies at 57
Melissa Hart, the former Colorado Supreme Court justice and longtime legal scholar, is being remembered following her reported death at age 57.
Hart, a Denver native, served on Colorado’s highest court after being appointed by Gov. John Hickenlooper in December 2017. She retired from the bench effective January 5, 2026, after announcing her departure in December 2025. The Colorado Judicial Branch described her as a dedicated jurist whose work included expanding access to justice and improving the legal system for people who represent themselves.
Melissa Hart Cause of Death
The specific cause of Melissa Hart’s death has not been publicly disclosed in the information available for this article.
Her husband, Kevin Traskos, reportedly confirmed her death and said she had been experiencing health issues. However, no specific medical condition should be identified as the cause of death without confirmation from her family or an authoritative source.
The circumstances surrounding her death should likewise not be expanded beyond what has been reliably reported.
Melissa Hart’s Colorado Supreme Court Career
Hart was appointed to the Colorado Supreme Court on December 14, 2017, by Gov. John Hickenlooper.
During her nearly eight years associated with the court, she served in several leadership and advisory roles, including work connected with the Colorado Access to Justice Commission, family issues and judicial workplace culture. The Judicial Branch also highlighted her involvement in legal education and efforts to improve access to justice.
Her service placed her at the center of important legal and constitutional questions affecting people throughout Colorado.
Legal Education and Early Career
Before joining the Supreme Court, Hart was a professor at the University of Colorado Law School, where she directed the Byron R. White Center for the Study of American Constitutional Law.
Her academic work covered constitutional law, judicial decision-making, legal ethics, employment discrimination, civil procedure and access to justice. She also maintained a pro bono practice involving appellate work and family-law matters.
Hart previously 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 also practiced law in Washington, D.C., including as a trial attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice.
Denver and Colorado Legal Community Remembers
Hart grew up in Denver and attended East High School before studying at Harvard-Radcliffe College and Harvard Law School.
The Colorado Judicial Branch previously described her as bringing legal expertise, dedication and a strong commitment to public service to the Supreme Court. Her professional work also included teaching at both the University of Colorado Law School and the University of Denver Sturm College of Law.
Her career connected judicial service, legal scholarship and efforts to improve access to the justice system.
Retirement From the Colorado Supreme Court
Hart announced her retirement in December 2025, with the change taking effect January 5, 2026. At the time, she said she intended to continue working on access to civil justice for low- and middle-income Coloradans and improving the family-law system for people representing themselves.
Her retirement followed a temporary leave of absence from the court.
Family and Personal Life
Hart was married to Kevin Traskos, and Colorado Judicial Branch records state that the couple had two children.
Her family is now mourning her reported death. Additional personal information and details about her final days have not been established in the available official records.
Funeral and Memorial Information
Funeral, visitation and memorial arrangements for Melissa Hart have not been provided in the information currently available.
Additional details may be announced by her family or representatives.
Remembering Melissa Hart
Melissa Hart’s professional legacy is closely connected to her years of service to Colorado’s legal system.
From her work as a law professor and legal advocate to her time on the state’s highest court, she devoted much of her career to questions involving constitutional law, legal ethics, civil procedure and access to justice.
For colleagues, students, legal professionals and those who knew her personally, her reported passing represents the loss of a prominent figure in Colorado’s legal community.
Information Disclaimer
This article is based on available information concerning the reported death of former Colorado Supreme Court Justice Melissa Hart, 57.
The Colorado Judicial Branch independently confirms Hart’s judicial career, her appointment to the Supreme Court, her retirement effective January 5, 2026, her academic work and her family information.
Her specific cause of death has not been publicly disclosed in the information used for this article. Funeral and memorial arrangements have also not been established. Any additional claims about the circumstances of her death should be confirmed through her family or another authoritative source.