Judicial Nominating Commissions
Each of Colorado’s judicial districts has a judicial district nominating commission responsible for selecting nominees to fill district and county court vacancies. The commissions are chaired by a justice of the Colorado Supreme Court, who serves as a non-voting member.
Attorney members of each commission are jointly appointed by the governor, the chief justice, and the attorney general.
The following appointments are for terms expiring Dec. 31, 2031:
6th Judicial District Judicial Nominating Commission:
- Charles Spence of Durango, to serve as an attorney and as a resident of La Plata, appointed.
7th Judicial District Judicial Nominating Commission:
- Martha Levine of Lake City, to serve as a non-attorney and a resident of Hinsdale, appointed.
9th Judicial District Judicial Nominating Commission:
- Julie Drake of Meeker, to serve as a non-attorney and a resident of Rio Blanco, appointed.
- Yesenia Silva Estrada of Silt, to serve as a non-attorney and as a resident of Garfield, appointed.
16th Judicial District Judicial Nominating Commission:
- Joe Pentlicki of Rocky Ford, to serve as a non-attorney and resident of Otero, appointed.
- Cynthia Sollenbarger of Rocky Ford, to serve as a non-attorney and resident of Otero, appointed.
- Charity Grasmick of Ordwell, to serve as a non-attorney and a resident of Crowley, appointed.
17th Judicial District Judicial Nominating Commission:
- Kathryn Rosen of Commerce City, to serve as an attorney and a resident of Adams, appointed.
- Christina Pettus of Brighton, to serve as an attorney and a resident of Adams, appointed.
- Paolo Diaz of Commerce City, to serve as a non-attorney and a resident of Adams, appointed.
21st Judicial District Judicial Nominating Commission:
- Ruth Swift of Grand Junction, to serve as an attorney and a resident of Mesa, appointed.
- Tearsa Olson of Grand Junction, to serve as an attorney and a resident of Mesa, appointed.
- Felicia Peña of Grand Junction, to serve as a non-attorney and a resident of Mesa, appointed.
Judicial Performance Commissions
Colorado’s Commissions on Judicial Performance were created by the legislature in 1988 to provide voters with fair evaluations of judges and justices who are up for retention elections. The system includes a commission in each of the 22 judicial districts and one statewide body.
Each commission is made up of 10 volunteer members, including six non-lawyers and four attorneys. Members are appointed by a combination of state leaders: the chief justice of the Colorado Supreme Court, the governor, the speaker of the House of Representatives and the president of the Senate.
The following appointments are for terms expiring Nov. 30, 2029:
3rd Judicial District Judicial Performance Commission:
- Alfredo Burciaga of Trinidad, Colorado, to serve as a non-attorney, appointed.
4th Judicial District Judicial Performance Commission:
- James Cara of Colorado Springs, Colorado, to serve as a non-attorney, appointed.