Fourth Judicial District - District Court Judge
Honorable Edward S. Colt II
Retention Year: 2002
Recommendation: Retain
Reports:
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The Fourth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance recommends that Judge Edward S. Colt, II BE RETAINED.
Judge Edward S. Colt graduated of the University of Colorado School of Journalism in 1978 and from California Western School of Law in 1986. He was appointed to the District Court bench in September 2000. Prior to his appointment, he was engaged in private practice and served as a Municipal Judge for the City of Colorado Springs. In the fall of 2001, he was assigned as the only presiding judge to the District Court for Teller County. He manages a full docket of criminal, civil, and domestic cases and states that he enjoys the variety.
The Commission was disappointed that there were not more attorneys surveyed, with only 19 surveys mailed and 12 attorneys responding. These numbers are significantly below those sent for other judges in the Fourth Judicial District. Of the small number of attorneys responding, half recommended retention for Judge Colt. The evaluation by non-lawyers has significantly more validity, with 92% in favor of retention and 2% in favor of non-retention from a response of 187 out of 636 mailed, well within the expected response rate.
Judge Colt received some criticism for his soft-spoken characteristics, which often makes it difficult to hear him. He has addressed this problem by installing a sound system at the bench. He seems to have a desire and commitment to expand his knowledge and expertise in the administration of the law and has set this as his goal. In addition, he wants to become better organized and regularly meets with the county court judge and county clerk to improve coordination. As an example, they are actively developing a "divorce with dignity" program. Judge Colt is regarded as being very courteous, considerate and fair to everyone. The Commission recommends retention of Judge Colt.