Colorado Court of Appeals: Judges and Judicial Structure
The Colorado Court of Appeals serves as a critical intermediate appellate court within the state's legal system. Based in Denver, the court is composed of 22 judges who review decisions from lower courts to ensure legal consistency and fairness across the state.
Operating out of the Ralph L. Carr Judicial Center, each judge maintains separate chambers to manage their caseload and legal research. While the court functions as a centralized body in the capital, it maintains a vital connection to the broader state through a district liaison system.
Key Facts
- Total Judges: 22 judges serve on the court.
- Term Length: Judges serve eight-year terms.
- Accountability: Judges are subject to retention elections, a process where voters decide if a judge should remain in office.
- Location: The court is headquartered at the Ralph L. Carr Judicial Center in Denver.
- District Liaison: Although retained statewide, each judge is assigned to act as a liaison for one of Colorado's specific judicial districts.
Judicial Appointments and Composition
The composition of the court reflects a variety of legal backgrounds and appointing authorities. Judges are appointed by the Governor of Colorado, with recent appointments made by Governors Bill Owens, Bill Ritter, John Hickenlooper, and Jared Polis.
The judges bring diverse educational expertise to the bench, having graduated from prestigious institutions including Harvard, NYU, Berkeley, and various law schools within Colorado and across the United States.
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Current Judicial Roster
The court is currently led by Chief Judge Gilbert Román. The bench includes a mix of long-serving members and newer appointments, with mandatory retirement ages ensuring a natural rotation of judicial leadership over time.
| Name | District | Appointer | Term Ends | Mandatory Retirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gilbert Román (Chief Judge) | 9th | Bill Owens (R) | 2032 | 2034 |
| Jerry Jones | 7th | Bill Owens (R) | 2032 | 2033 |
| Maria Teresa Fox | 5th | Bill Ritter (D) | 2030 | 2038 |
| Stephanie Dunn | 8th | John Hickenlooper (D) | 2032 | - |
| Elizabeth Harris | 2nd | John Hickenlooper (D) | 2026 | 2038 |
| Rebecca Freyre | 4th | John Hickenlooper (D) | 2026 | 2031 |
| Craig Welling | 20th | John Hickenlooper (D) | 2028 | 2042 |
| Ted Tow | 17th | John Hickenlooper (D) | 2028 | 2039 |
| Lino Lipinsky de Orlov | 14th | John Hickenlooper (D) | 2030 | - |
| Matthew Grove | 3rd | John Hickenlooper (D) | 2030 | 2048 |
| Neeti Pawar | 19th | Jared Polis (D) | 2030 | 2041 |
| Jaclyn Casey Brown | 11th | Jared Polis (D) | 2030 | 2053 |
| Sueanna Johnson | 1st | Jared Polis (D) | 2030 | 2047 |
| Christina Gomez | 12th | Jared Polis (D) | 2030 | 2046 |
| David Yun | 18th | Jared Polis (D) | 2030 | 2039 |
| Eric Kuhn | 6th | Jared Polis (D) | 2032 | 2045 |
| Timothy Schutz | 22nd | Jared Polis (D) | 2032 | 2034 |
| Karl Schock | 16th | Jared Polis (D) | 2026 | 2053 |
| Katharine Lum | 15th | Jared Polis (D) | 2026 | 2055 |
| Pax Moultrie | 13th | Jared Polis (D) | 2026 | 2051 |
| Grant Sullivan | 21st | Jared Polis (D) | 2026 | 2056 |
| Melissa Meirink | 10th | Jared Polis (D) | 2028 | 2051 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many judges serve on the Colorado Court of Appeals?
There are 22 judges serving on the Colorado Court of Appeals.
How long is a judge's term on this court?
Judges serve eight-year terms and are subject to retention elections to remain in their positions.
Where is the Colorado Court of Appeals located?
The court is located in Denver, with judges maintaining separate chambers in the Ralph L. Carr Judicial Center.
What is the purpose of the district assignments for judges?
While judges are retained statewide, each is assigned to serve as a liaison between the Court of Appeals and one of Colorado's specific judicial districts.
Who appoints the judges to the Colorado Court of Appeals?
Judges are appointed by the Governor of Colorado; recent appointees have been appointed by Governors Bill Owens, Bill Ritter, John Hickenlooper, and Jared Polis.