Twelfth Judicial District - District Court Judge
Honorable O. John Kuenhold
Retention Year: 1996
Recommendation: Retain
The Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously recommends that Judge O. John Kuenhold BE RETAINED.
Judge Kuenhold was appointed as a District Court Judge in 1981. Judge Kuenhold received his law degree from the University of Michigan in 1969, the same year he was admitted to the Colorado Bar. HE worked for Colorado Rural Legal Services and was in private practice before his judicial appointment. In 1995 Judge Kuenhold was one of the top three candidates nominated for appointment to the Supreme Court of Colorado.
Judge Kuenhold continually involves himself in a variety of community activities, especially those involving children.
From offices in Alamosa County, Kuenhold sits in all six counties that compromise the 12th Judicial District, hearing appeals from county court and cases arising under criminal law, juvenile, domestic relations, and mental health law.
A survey of law enforcement personnel, attorneys, and court personnel credited Judge Kuenhold with a superior performance, commending him for his fairness and his knowledge of the law. On occasion, required hearing arise under juvenile and domestic relations law have resulted in delays to hearings in other counties. He proposes to remedy this problem by better scheduling.
The Judicial Performance Commission found Kuenhold to be zealous about his duties and commented favorably on his patience and impartiality.