Law enforcement officials at both the local and federal level are investigating a surge in threats targeting justices on Colorado's Supreme Court following their recent decision to bar Donald Trump from participating in the state's presidential primary. The court ruled with a 4 to 3 majority on Tuesday that Trump's involvement in the U.S. Capitol insurrection on January 6, 2021, violated the U.S. Constitution's provision against insurrectionists holding high office.

Since the court's ruling, authorities have become aware of numerous threats made via telephone and social media against the justices who voted to exclude Trump from the ballot. The FBI, collaborating with local law enforcement, is actively pursuing investigations into these threats and any instances of violence driven by extremist views.

In the midst of this tense situation, the Denver Police Department reported a hoax report at one of the justices' residences on Thursday evening. An investigation into the incident is currently underway, with authorities confirming that everything was found to be normal at the justice's residence.

The Colorado Judicial Department has declined to comment on security matters, while the Colorado State Patrol, responsible for the protection of state officials in state buildings, has pledged assistance in the ongoing investigations.

The decision by the Colorado Supreme Court has triggered a flurry of activity on social media platforms, with users venting their anger through violent, racist, homophobic, and threatening remarks directed at the Democrat-appointed judges who ruled in favor of keeping Trump off the ballot. Some of these comments range from peaceful expression of dissent to calls for extreme measures such as executions.

Responding to the court's decision, Steven Cheung, a spokesman for the Trump campaign, criticized the ruling as "completely flawed" and attacked the "all-Democrat appointed Colorado Supreme Court," alleging election interference.

Peter Simi, a sociologist who testified as an expert witness in the case regarding Trump's eligibility for the Colorado ballot, has observed an increase in threatening rhetoric from apparent Trump supporters in response to the court's ruling. He emphasized the seriousness of these threats, viewing them as both a public safety concern and a threat to democracy. Simi also highlighted the broader pattern of Trump and his supporters promoting political violence.

Simi, who previously faced threats himself, noted an increase in derogatory online messages, aggressive voice mails, and emails following his testimony in Colorado. Some of these messages demanded his arrest and called for his termination from Chapman University, where he is affiliated.

Although the Colorado decision will likely be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, it ultimately rests on the justices' discretion to accept the case. Similar cases concerning Trump's eligibility for the ballot are also being considered in other states. If those states reach conclusions consistent with Colorado's ruling, Trump's path to securing the Republican nomination and winning the presidency in the upcoming elections could face significant obstacles.

When questioned about the escalating levels of violent rhetoric against the justices, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre denounced any form of intimidation or violent language, emphasizing its inappropriateness.

As investigations into the threats unfold, the focus remains on ensuring the safety of the justices and upholding the principles of democracy amidst rising tensions surrounding Trump's eligibility for the presidential ballot.