Tenth Judicial District - District Court Judge
Honorable David A. Cole
Retention Year: 2006
Recommendation: Retain
Reports:
Need an accessible PDF Document version?
Please click on the link below and email our staff
The Tenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance recommends that Judge David A. Cole BE RETAINED. Ten commission members participated in the process and all ten voted for retention.
Judge David A. 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, criminal, domestic, and juvenile cases.
Surveys were conducted to evaluate the performance of Judge Cole. Responses were received from members of law enforcement, attorneys, litigants, jurors, criminal defendants, courthouse personnel, and victims of crimes. All ten of the commission members received the results of these surveys to review. The commission interviewed personnel from various agencies and other professionals who work with the judge on a regular basis. As part of the retention process, the ten member commission was required to observe Judge Cole's courtroom and hold an interview with the Judge.
In the surveys and interviews held, Judge Cole received high marks for being fair, easy to approach, showing equality to all regardless of race, gender, age or economic circumstances. He was praised for making every effort to correctly and fairly apply the law. In addition, the responses indicated that Judge Cole handles his docket in a timely manner, even with the increased case load. He always demands that respect be shown in the courtroom and for the legal process. Of the attorneys surveyed, eighty-nine percent (89%) recommended to retain. Of non-attorneys surveyed, eighty-five percent (85%) recommended retention.
From personal observation in Judge Cole's courtroom, the commission observed that Judge Cole is thoughtful and concise; he listens intently, takes notes, and repeats back what he has heard. The commission observed him to be a thorough and non-nonsense Judge. His directives and rulings are clearly stated.
The Commission finds Judge Cole to be conscientious with a willingness to continue to improve and serve as District Judge for Pueblo County. The Tenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance recommends that Judge Cole be retained.