State of Colorado

Methods of Judicial Selection: Colorado

Selection of Judges

Number of Judgeships
Supreme Court:	7
Court of Appeals:	22
District Court:	164

Number of Districts/Circuits
Supreme Court:	1
Court of Appeals:	1
District Court:	22

Geographic Basis for Selection
Supreme Court:	statewide
Court of Appeals:	statewide
District Court:	county

Method of Selection (full term)
Supreme Court:	gubernatorial appointment from nominating commission
Court of Appeals:	gubernatorial appointment from nominating commission
District Court:	gubernatorial appointment from nominating commission

Length of Term
Supreme Court:	at least 2 yrs
Court of Appeals:	at least 2 yrs
District Court:	at least 2 yrs

Method of Retention
Supreme Court:	retention election
Court of Appeals:	retention election
District Court:	retention election

Length of Subsequent Terms
Supreme Court:	10 yrs
Court of Appeals:	8 yrs
District Court:	6 yrs

Method of Filling Interim Vacancies
Supreme Court:	gubernatorial appointment from nominating commission
Court of Appeals:	gubernatorial appointment form nominating commission
District Court:	gubernatorial appointment from nominating commission

When Interim Judges Stand for Election/Appointment
Supreme Court:	next general election after 2 yrs in office
Court of Appeals:	next general election after 2 yrs in office
District Court:	next general election after 2 yrs in office

Selection of Chief Judge/Justice
Supreme Court:	peer vote
Court of Appeals:	chief justice appoints
District Court:	chief justice appoints

Term of Office for Chief Judge/Justice
Supreme Court:	indefinite
Court of Appeals:	indefinite
District Court:	indefinite

Qualifications
Supreme Court:	qualified elector in state; licensed to practice law in state 5 yrs; mandatory retirement age of 72
Court of Appeals:	qualified elector in state; licensed to practice law in state 5 yrs. mandatory retirement age of 72
District Court:	qualified elector in district; licensed to practice law in state 5 yrs; mandatory retirment age of 72

Selection and retention methods and term lengths are prescribed by Article VI of the Colorado Constitution.