In Colorado, judges serving on the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and District Courts face periodic retention elections. These elections center on whether a judge should remain in office based on their performance, rather than a traditional contest between candidates. Voters are presented with a simple yes or no choice for each judge on the ballot. Typically, information about each judge’s qualifications, decisions, and overall judicial conduct is provided to voters by independent commissions to help inform their decision.
This system promotes judicial accountability while safeguarding the judiciary from undue political influence. By focusing on performance rather than partisan politics, it aims to ensure that judges are evaluated based on their adherence to the law, fairness, and impartiality. This process fosters public trust in the integrity and independence of the judicial system. Historically, Colorado adopted this system as a means of balancing judicial independence with public oversight.
