Colorado Court of Appeals
Honorable Jerry N. Jones
Retention Year: 2024
Recommendation: Meets Performance Standards
Reports:
2024 Retention Survey Report (PDF)
2023 Interim Survey Report (PDF)
2021 Interim Survey Report (PDF)
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The State Commission on Judicial Performance finds that Judge Jerry N. Jones of the Colorado Court of Appeals MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS by a vote of 10-0 with one recusal. The Colorado statutory judicial performance standards are integrity, legal knowledge, communication skills, judicial temperament, administrative performance, and service to the legal profession and public.
Judge Jones has been on the Colorado Court of Appeals for eighteen years. His last retention evaluation was in 2016. The Commission finds that Judge Jones is fair and impartial, is thoroughly prepared for oral arguments, has a keen intellect, and writes clear legal opinions based upon the facts and law. In its evaluation, the Commission uses survey data with feedback from attorneys participating in oral arguments. Judge Jones actively participates in oral arguments. In current and prior surveys related to oral arguments, Judge Jones was both commended and criticized concerning his perceived demeanor during oral argument. Commissioners reviewed a large sample of recorded oral arguments in which Judge Jones was a member of the panel. At times his judicial temperament can appear adversarial and discourteous. We understand and share these concerns. During Judge Jones’ interview with the Commission, he expressed an openness to recommendations on how to improve his personal style. We believe one way in which Judge Jones might address some of the concerns about his temperament during oral arguments would be to briefly explain to counsel how a particular line of questioning will help inform his approach to the case. The Commission applauds Judge Jones’ leadership on several Colorado Supreme Court and bar association committees, and the Commission enjoyed hearing Judge Jones describe how meaningful his co-coaching of a high school mock trial team was for him.
To conduct the evaluation, the Commission interviewed Judge Jones, reviewed his self-evaluation, observed oral arguments, read a selection of his legal opinions, and considered survey responses from attorneys and judges. One survey question asked whether Judge Jones met judicial performance standards. Of the attorneys who responded to that question, 75% answered yes and 25% answered no. Of the judges who responded to that question, 100% answered yes. A total of 20 attorneys and 27 judges responded to the survey.
Judge Jones was appointed to the Court of Appeals on July 5, 2006. Prior to serving on the Court of Appeals he was a partner at the Denver law firm of Moye White LLP practicing in commercial litigation and appeals. During his time at Moye White he also served as a Special Assistant Attorney General in the State Services Section working on higher education issues, and in the Criminal Section handling appeals on behalf of the People of the State of Colorado. He also served as the Chief of the Appellate Division of the United States Attorney’s Office for two years. He was a member of the Faculty of Federal Advocates and served as Chair of the Judicial Performance Commission for the Second Judicial District. He is a 1986 graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law and served on the Executive Board of the University of Denver Law Review.