Tenth Judicial District - District Court Judge
Honorable David A. Cole
Retention Year: 2000
Recommendation: Retain
The Tenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance recommends that Judge David A. Cole BE RETAINED. Nine commission members participated in the deliberation.
Judge David Alan Cole was admitted to the practice of law in 1973. He was a deputy in the office of the Pueblo District Attorney for a period of time and was in private practice until appointed to the Pueblo County Court bench in 1988. Judge Cole was appointed to the Pueblo District Court bench in 1997. Judge Cole presides over civil, domestic relations, mental health, criminal and juvenile and probate cases.
A survey conducted to evaluate the performance of Judge Cole sought responses from members of law enforcement, attorneys, litigants, jurors, criminal defendants, courthouse personnel and crime victims. Responses were received from all of the above, interviews were conducted among professionals who work with the judge on a regular basis, and a public meeting was held.
Of non-attorneys surveyed, 81% recommended that Judge Cole be retained, 12% recommended that he not be retained, and 7% had no opinion. Of the attorneys surveyed, 75% recommended that Judge Cole be retained, 19% recommended that he not be retained, and 6% had no opinion.
In survey, interview and public hearing responses Judge Cole received high marks for equal treatment of parties regardless of race, gender or age. He was praised for his hard work, enthusiasm for the job and fair treatment of attorneys and litigants along with good management of the court docket and knowledge of court rules and knowledge of the law. In addition, the responses indicated that Judge Cole was dignified in conducting court proceedings, possessed a good professional demeanor and demonstrated good organization and efficiency.
Some respondents were concerned about Judge Cole's management rules concerning talking in the courtroom and his uneven displays of judicial temperament.
The Commission finds Judge Cole to be confident, conscientious, and have a positive attitude toward his profession with a consistent willingness to improve. The Tenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance recommends that Judge Cole be retained.