Denver Probate Court, Colorado
From Ballotpedia
Court
The Denver Probate Court, which is sometimes referred to as the 24th Judicial District, encompasses all of the City and County of Denver.
The Denver Probate Court was created via Article VI § 9(3) of the Colorado Constitution, which also defines the Probate Court's jurisdiction. The Probate Court has exclusive jurisdiction over "all matters of probate, settlements of estates of deceased persons, appointment of guardians, conservators and administrators, and settlement of their accounts, the adjudication of the mentally ill, and such other jurisdiction as may be provided by law."[1]
Judges
- Elizabeth Leith
- Ruben Hernandez is the court magistrate (Division 2), a position hired by the presiding judge.[2]
See also
External links
- Colorado Judicial Branch, "Denver Probate Court"
- Denver Post, "Colorado probate courts fail to protect those at risk, audit finds," September 27, 2011
Elections
- See also: Colorado judicial elections
Colorado is one of 43 states that hold elections for judicial positions. To learn more about judicial selection in Colorado, click here.
- Colorado local trial court judicial elections, 2025
- Colorado local trial court judicial elections, 2024
- Colorado local trial court judicial elections, 2023
- Colorado local trial court judicial elections, 2022
- Colorado local trial court judicial elections, 2021
- Colorado local trial court judicial elections, 2020
- Colorado local trial court judicial elections, 2019
- Colorado local trial court judicial elections, 2018
- Colorado local trial court judicial elections, 2017
- Colorado local trial court judicial elections, 2016
- Colorado judicial elections, 2014
- Colorado judicial elections, 2012
- Colorado judicial elections, 2010
Selection method
- See also: Assisted appointment
There are 164 judges on the Colorado District Courts, each appointed by the governor from a list of names compiled by a nominating commission. Initial terms last at least two years, after which judges must stand for retention in a yes-no election. Subsequent terms last six years.[3]
The court's chief judge is appointed by the chief justice of the supreme court to serve indefinitely.[3]
Qualifications
To serve on the district court, a judge must be:[3]
- a qualified elector in the district;
- licensed to practice law in state for five years; and
- under the age of 72 (retirement by 72 is mandatory).
Election rules
Retention election
Judges in Colorado stand for retention at the end of each term. These elections are held during the November general election in even-numbered years. In retention elections, judges do not compete against another candidate, but voters are given a "yes" or "no" choice whether to keep the justice in office for another term.