Eleventh Judicial District - Chaffee County Court Judge
Honorable William P. Alderton
Retention Year: 1992
Recommendation: Retain
Judge Alderton was admitted to the Bar in Colorado in 1975. He formally served on the District Attorney’s staff in Cortez and Salida, Colorado, and has maintained a private practice at various times in Colorado Springs and Salida.
Judge Alderton presides over the Chaffee County Court involving civil disputes of less than $10,000, misdemeanors, traffic, and preliminary hearings in felony matters. Judge Alderton’s Court is not a full-time court based upon the needs of the Chaffee County and therefore, the judge maintains a limited private practice separate and apart from his duties on the Chaffee County Bench. Judge Alderton was appointed to his position on the Bench July 1, 1990.
Survey responses from groups polled contained very limited responses and were not considered by the commission as representing a sufficient statistical data base. Other sources of information have convinced the commission that he conducts his court free from impropriety, favoritism, or other undue influence. He possesses an above average working knowledge of the law. He is viewed as courteous and impartial, but perhaps overly informal with regard to the maintenance of the dignity and strict control of his courtroom. The commission feels that Judge Alderton has the potential to mature in his position as a Count Court Judge.
The 11th Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance recommends that Judge William P. Alderton be Retained.