Twelfth Judicial District - District Court Judge
Honorable O. John Kuenhold
Retention Year: 1990
Recommendation:Â Retain
Judicial Performance Commission’s recommendation: Should Be Retained.
Judge Kuenhold was appointed as a district court judge in 1981. He received his law degree from the University of Michigan in 1969 and was admitted to practice law in Colorado that same year. His previous legal experience includes work with Colorado Rural Legal Services and private practice.
Kuenhold presides over criminal and civil cases, juvenile proceedings, domestic relations, probate cases, child custody matters, mental health inquires and appeals from county court. He is a circuit judge who sit is all six counties in the 12th Judicial District. His office is in Alamosa.
All of the different groups responding to the survey gave Kuenhold high ratings. Attorneys found him to be knowledgeable in the law and thorough in his legal opinions. Jurors and litigants found him to be unbiased, courteous and dignified. Probation, law enforcement and social services also rated him high. Several respondents criticized him for not being punctual and Kuenhold acknowledged in his interview with the committee that his is a problem for a circuit judge. A few respondents felt he was arrogant. Kuenhold was very concerned that anyone would perceive him this way as he tries to be open and receptive to all.
The committee found Kuenhold to be a thoughtful and caring judge. He is active in professional activities and he served as faculty for various judicial conferences. He is sensitive to the changing needs of rural courts.