Colorado Court of Appeals
Honorable Edwin G. Ruland
Retention Year: 2000
Recommendation: Retain
The State Commission on Judicial Performance recommends that Judge Edwin G. Ruland BE RETAINED.
Judge Ruland served as a member of the Colorado Court of Appeals, 1973-1980. He resigned in 1980 and returned to private practice in Grand Junction. He was re-appointed in 1989. In 1998, he was named Deputy Chief Judge of the Colorado Court of Appeals. Judge Ruland practiced law in Grand Junction, Colorado, 1961-1973. During that time, he also served as a half-time Grand Junction Municipal Court Judge and was a Deputy District Attorney. He is a graduate of the Southern Methodist University School of Law and of Colorado College.
Judge Ruland is active in professional associations such as the American Bar Association and the Colorado Bar Association and in community activities, having served on the Board of Directors of the Bridge House Alcohol Rehabilitation Center, the Hilltop House Rehabilitation Center, and the Mesa County Easter Seal Society. He has authored several legal articles and has been chair of the Supreme Court Committee on the Unauthorized Practice of Law. The State Commission is impressed with his dedication to educating young people throughout the state to acquaint them with our legal system.
The State Commission believes that Judge Ruland is a mature, experienced, and common sense judge on the Court of Appeals. His written opinions are clear and concise, and he has a wealth of background and experience which enables him to be an exemplary judge on the Court of Appeals and to assist less experienced judges through his advice and leadership. He is also decisive and efficient and by all accounts, a hard worker.
Attorneys and court personnel rated Judge Ruland very highly. Respondents provided numerous favorable comments indicating Judge Ruland is courteous, strong, ethical and hard working. Several commented that he is a no nonsense judge without being rude and yet, with the ability to be very direct. Efficiency and impartiality were among the other attributes commented upon. Eighty-three percent (83%) of attorneys and court personnel voted to retain Judge Ruland, 9% voted not to retain and 9% had no opinion. Eighty-three percent (83%) of trial court judges voted to retain Judge Ruland, 0% voted not to retain and 17% had no opinion.