Third Judicial District - District Court Judge
Honorable Claude W. Appel
Retention Year: 2000
Recommendation: Retain
The Third Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously recommends that Judge Claude W. Appel BE RETAINED.
Judge Appel was appointed as a District Judge in March 1986; he served as a County Judge from January 1985 to March 1986. Prior to his appointment as a judge, Claude Appel served as a Deputy District Attorney. He received his law degree from the University of Colorado in 1978.
The Third Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance believes that Judge Appel has matured into an extremely sensitive and impartial judge.
His leadership in establishing the Huerfano County Teen Court project is an example of how Judge Appel has positively affected his district outside of his courtroom. Attorney questionnaires received by the Third District Commission on Judicial Performance rate Judge Appel high overall especially in the areas of application of the law, judicial temperament and communication skills. Of the attorney responses, 90% voted to retain Judge Appel. Of the non-attorney responses, 73% voted to retain Judge Appel.