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Colorado Judges
Note: The recommendations for judicial retention provided by the Colorado Commissions on Judicial Performance do not reflect the views or opinions of Rocky Mountain Family Council (RMFC). RMFC is sharing the following information and links to provide voters with resources to further investigate Colorado judges.
What are the Commissions on Judicial Performance
Commissions on Judicial Performance were created in 1988 by the Colorado General Assembly for the purpose of providing voters with fair, responsible and constructive evaluations of trial and appellate judges and justices seeking retention in general elections. The results of the evaluations also provide judges with information that can be used to improve their professional skills as judicial officers. The Chief Justice, the Governor, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House appoint state and local commission members. Each commission is a ten-member body comprised of four attorneys and six non-attorneys. The State Commission on Judicial Performance developed evaluation techniques for district and county judges, justices of the Supreme Court , and judges of the court of appeals. According to statute, those criteria include the following: integrity; knowledge and understanding of substantive, procedural and evidentiary law; communication skills; preparation; attentiveness and control over judicial proceedings; sentencing practices; docket management and prompt case disposition; administrative skills; punctuality; effectiveness in working with participants in the judicial process; and service to the legal profession and the public. 