The Colorado Commission on Judicial Discipline and the Colorado Office of Judicial Discipline
In 1966, voters amended the Colorado Constitution, effective Jan. 17, 1967, to establish the Colorado Commission on Judicial Discipline. In 2022, the Colorado Legislature established the Colorado Office of Judicial Discipline through ยง 13-5.3-103, C.R.S. to perform administrative and operational functions on behalf of the Commission.
The Commission is comprised of ten citizens who serve without compensation other than the reimbursement of expenses incurred in their duties, such as travel expenses to attend meetings. Members include two county court judges and two district court judges who are appointed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court; two lawyers, appointed by the Governor; and four citizens who are not currently lawyers or judges, also appointed by the Governor.
The Commission is charged with protecting the public from improper conduct of judges; preserving the integrity of the judicial process; maintaining public confidence in the judiciary; creating a greater awareness of proper judicial behavior on the part of the judiciary and the public; and providing for the fair and expeditious disposition of complaints of judicial misconduct or judicial disabilities.
The Commission's jurisdictional authority extends to Colorado state court judges (active or participating in the Senior Judge Program) who hold office according to Article VI of the Colorado Constitution. The Commission does not have jurisdiction as to the Denver County Court Judges, municipal court judges, administrative law judges, and magistrates.
The Commission's authority and procedures derive from Article VI, Section 23(3) of the Colorado Constitution, Title 13, Article 5.3 of the Colorado Revised Statutes, the Colorado Rules of Judicial Discipline, and the Colorado Code of Judicial Conduct.