Fourth Judicial District - El Paso County Court Judge
Honorable Caroline M. Benham
Retention Year: 1998
Recommendation: Retain
The Fourth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance recommends that Judge Caroline M. Benham BE RETAINED.
Judge Caroline M. Benham was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She was raised there and in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In 1963, she received her B.A. from Colorado College and her M.S.W. from the University of Denver in 1965. She obtained her law degree from the University of Colorado School of Law in 1975. Judge Benham worked as a full-time social worker at Fort Morgan Mental Health Center from 1965 to 1969 and worked part-time in private practice as a social worker until she started law school in 1972. She was admitted to the Colorado Bar in October of 1975.
Judge Benham entered private practice as a lawyer in 1975, later becoming Juvenile Court Referee and then Juvenile Court Commissioner and District Court Referee in the Fourth Judicial District. In August of 1987, she was appointed an El Paso County Court Judge and has served in that capacity since September 1987. She has received numerous awards, including outstanding Woman Lawyer in 1987. She is very active in community and Bar Association activities.
Judge Benham is considered courteous and fair to litigants and lawyers alike. She received positive support from 75% of the lawyers. Jurors and law enforcement personnel are very supportive of Judge Benham as well.