Panel approves bill creating judicial performance commission for new 20‑3rd judicial district

The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 7-0 on April 7 to send House Bill 25-1298 to the Committee of the Whole. The bill establishes a new judicial performance commission for the recently created 20‑Third Judicial District and repeals outdated provisions so the commission can evaluate judges required to stand for retention in 2026.

Sponsor remarks said the 2020 split of the largest judicial district created a new district but did not create a matching performance commission; the bill corrects that oversight. The measure sets a 10‑member commission, authorizes the eighteenth Judicial District commission to perform interim evaluations in 2025 and provides a mechanism for staggering initial commissioner terms to avoid synchronized expirations. It sets an effective date for the commission of Dec. 1, 2025 and carries no appropriation.

Kent Wagner from the Office of Judicial Performance Evaluation told the committee the office supports standing up the commission so evaluations can proceed; Terry Scanlon, legislative liaison for Colorado Courts, also voiced the courts’ support. Senators asked about the geography and appointments; witnesses said Douglas County will be a significant part of the new district and that some commissioners from the 18th may be appointed to the new commission and retain their current terms.

Action: Mr. Vice Chair moved the bill to the Committee of the Whole with a favorable recommendation; the motion carried 7-0 and the bill was placed on the consent calendar.