Colorado Court of Appeals
Honorable Anthony J. Navarro
Retention Year: 2016
Recommendation: Meets Performance Standard
Reports:
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The State Commission on Judicial Performance by a vote of 9 to 0, with one recusal, recommends that Judge Anthony J. Navarro BE RETAINED.
Judge Navarro was sworn in as a Judge of the Colorado Court of Appeals on January 18, 2013. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Colorado in 1993 and his law degree from Yale Law School in 1996. He worked as an Assistant Attorney General in the Consumer Protection Section and the Appellate Division of the Colorado Attorney General’s Office. He then worked at Holland & Hart LLP in Denver where he focused on the appellate aspect of commercial litigation. Prior to his appointment, he served for five years as a Supervisory Attorney in the Social Security Administration’s Office of the General Counsel in Denver where he supervised litigation before federal courts. Judge Navarro is the Court’s Liaison to the 10th Judicial District and has served as a judge for the Colorado Marshal-Brennan Constitutional Literacy Moot Court Competition. He has also served as a judge in the We the People program for the 4th Congressional District, and he presents in a number of continuing legal education programs.
The Commission conducted a personal interview with Judge Navarro, read opinions that he authored, reviewed his self-evaluation, observed him in court, and reviewed survey responses from attorneys and other judges regarding his performance. Survey participants were asked “How strongly do you recommend that Judge Navarro be retained in office?” Of attorneys completing the survey and responding to this question 65% recommended to retain, 25% not to retain, and 9% made no recommendation regarding retention. Of judges completing the survey 100% recommended to retain.
Judge Navarro’s scores from attorneys were strong in the area of treating parties equally regardless of race, sex, or economic status and in being prepared for oral argument. His scores were below average for being fair and impartial toward each side of the case, making reasoned decisions based upon law and facts, and refraining from issues that need not be decided. These issues were also raised with Judge Navarro at his interim evaluation last year. Judge Navarro has been addressing these issues in a variety of ways over the past year. Based on observations of Judge Navarro in court and review of a number of his opinions, the Commission believes that he is making progress in improving these areas. The survey responses of district and other appellate judges rated relative strengths for Judge Navarro in the areas of being fair and impartial toward each side of the case and writing opinions that adequately explain the basis of the Court’s decision. The Commission is impressed with Judge Navarro’s commitment to improvement and supports his continued efforts at improving his writing.