The names near the end of a Colorado ballot can be hard to evaluate. Judicial retention questions give voters a yes-or-no choice about whether a sitting judge should remain in office. They do not pit two candidates against each other.
Colorado uses a merit-selection system: nominating commissions review applicants, the governor appoints judges, and voters later decide whether to retain them. The Colorado Judicial Branch explains the process.
The useful question for a voter is not whether a judge matches a political party. It is what the available evidence says about that judge’s work.
Start with the judges actually on your ballot
Your ballot may include a Colorado Supreme Court justice, Court of Appeals judges and trial-court judges from your area. The 2026 state Blue Book says its judicial section includes evaluations for statewide, district and county judges up for retention in the voter’s judicial district. Not every judge discussed in a statewide online list will appear on every local ballot.
Compare the names on your own ballot with the Colorado Office of Judicial Performance Evaluation’s judge information. The Blue Book also includes the evaluation material sent to voters. If a name or district is unclear, check your sample ballot or contact your county election office before relying on a guide written for another part of Colorado.
What to look for in an evaluation
Read the commission’s conclusion and its explanation. Then look for evidence about integrity, legal knowledge, communication, temperament and how the judge manages cases. Consider the sources of feedback and the number of responses where those details are available. A short rating without its context may not answer the question you care about.
An evaluation is information for voters, not an instruction to vote one way. You can also review the judge’s background and reporting about their work, while distinguishing verified conduct from campaign claims or a single disputed ruling.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, according to the Blue Book. Taking a few minutes with the official evaluations before returning your ballot can make the judicial section less of a guess.
Featured image: AI-generated editorial illustration. The pictured ballot and booklet are not official election materials.
