Frequent Questions

CJI is an independent, nonpartisan, statewide community organization and 501(c)(3) nonprofit with the mission to promote excellence, equity, impartiality, and public trust in Colorado's courts through outreach, education, and engagement. We are the only organization of its kind with this focus.

CJI members and supporters include business and civic leaders, attorneys, judges, and everyday citizens who support Colorado's judicial system, including its merit selection system for judges that helps keep the courtroom free from the influence of politics and special interests.

CJI's mission is to promote excellence, equity, impartiality, and public trust in Colorado's courts. We are the only organization of its kind with this focus.

Your support enables CJI to fulfill this mission through programs that include education and advocacy about Colorado's courts; support for access to justice and diversity on the bench, to ensure the courts serve *all* Coloradans; and funding subsidies for the continuing education of Colorado's judges.

Plus, with your donation, you join CJI’s membership community and gain membership benefits in addition to the satisfaction of supporting a worthy cause.

We’re always on the lookout for individuals like you wanting to get involved. Visit our How To Help section to find out ways to donate or volunteer.

Yes, your donation is tax-deductible. CJI is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization with Tax ID 74-2119505, and all donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. CJI provides donors with a tax receipt letter.

No. Since 1966, Colorado has used a system based on merit to select judges. When a judicial vacancy occurs, a nominating commission meets to review and interview candidates. Then the commission recommends two or three individuals for the governor to consider. The governor then appoints one of them to fill the vacancy.

Colorado's constitution requires that each sitting judge periodically stand for a retention election. A retention election is not a partisan contest. Voters are asked only whether to retain the judge in their current position by voting "yes" or "no" on the question of whether to retain the judge. Information about the judge's performance is gathered by a judicial performance commission and shared in the voter "blue book" and online at KnowYourJudge.com.

Judicial terms vary based on the type of court. After their initial appointment, all judges serve a 2-year probationary term and then stand for retention election. After this probationary term, the full terms are four years for county court judges, six years for district court judges, eight years for Court of Appeals judges, and ten years for Supreme Court justices. When their terms expire, judges stand for additional retention elections.

Information about the performance of Colorado judges is shared in the voter "blue book" before each election and is also available online at KnowYourJudge.com. The Colorado Office of Judicial Performance Evaluation gathers this information from the work of judicial performance commissions based in each judicial district across Colorado.