Fourth Judicial District - District Court Judge
Honorable Edward S. Colt
Retention Year: 2008
Recommendation: Retain
Reports:
Need an accessible PDF Document version?
Please click on the link below and email our staff
The Fourth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance recommends by a unanimous vote that Judge Edward S. Colt BE RETAINED.
Background: Judge Colt was appointed to the District Court in 1999. He graduated from the University of Colorado in 1978 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism and from California Western School of Law in 1986. Before his appointment to the bench, Judge Colt was engaged in private practice and served as a Municipal Judge for the City of Colorado Springs. He has served on the Board of Teen Court, has helped with establishing the Court’s childcare program, and served on the Access to Justice Committee. Judge Colt currently serves as the only District Court judge for Teller County, where he handles all types of cases. During this evaluation period, he was also assigned to the District Court in El Paso County, where he presided over civil and felony cases.
Strengths: Attorneys who responded to survey questions commented on Judge Colt’s patience, even temper, courtesy, and respect. Non-attorneys praised him on his willingness to listen to people and his fairness and compassion. Weaknesses: Judge Colt is soft spoken which can make it hard for him to be heard. To address that concern, Judge Colt has installed a sound system in his Teller County courtroom.
Recommendation: In making its recommendation, the Commission considered the results of surveys from 40 attorneys and 121 non-attorneys, a self-evaluation by the judge, comments received at a public hearing, courtroom observations, written decisions and orders, and an interview with Judge Colt before the Commission. Eighty-seven percent of attorneys and 95% of non-attorneys surveyed recommended that Judge Colt be retained in office.