Colorado Judicial Performance Evaluation

The Colorado Office of Judicial Performance Evaluation

The Colorado Office of Judicial Performance Evaluation (OJPE) works with MDR to conduct an annual Judicial Performance Evaluation (JPE). This initiative is part of Colorado’s merit-based judicial retention system, which requires regular evaluations of judges to ensure accountability and transparency. MDR has supported this program for multiple cycles, providing survey design, data collection, analysis, and reporting services to inform retention decisions and interim evaluations. 

For the 2025 cycle, MDR implemented a comprehensive survey program targeting attorneys, non-attorneys (including jurors, litigants, law enforcement, and court staff), and appellate judges. Surveys assessed judicial performance across six key dimensions: case management, application and knowledge of law, communications, demeanor, diligence, and fairness. Each survey instrument was tailored to the respondent group and included both quantitative ratings and open-ended feedback. MDR also administered a separate survey for appellate judges to evaluate district judges, and vice versa. 

Sampling was conducted using lists provided by the Colorado Judicial Department and supplemented with outreach to ensure broad participation. Surveys were administered online and by mail, with secure data handling protocols in place to protect respondent confidentiality. MDR coded and cleaned all data, calculated performance scores, and analyzed trends across judicial districts and respondent types. Evaluation completion rates and response distributions were tracked to ensure data quality and representativeness. 

MDR produced a full suite of deliverables for the OJPE, including individual judge reports, district-level summaries, and public release templates. Each report included overall scores, category-level ratings, and verbatim comments, along with detailed methodology appendices. MDR also supported the distribution of reports via secure SharePoint links and provided technical assistance to OJPE staff throughout the cycle. 

MDR’s work supports Colorado’s commitment to a fair and independent judiciary by providing stakeholders with reliable, actionable data on judicial performance. The 2025 cycle builds on MDR’s long-standing partnership with OJPE and reflects continued innovation in survey design, data security, and stakeholder engagement. 

An annual, multi-respondent evaluation captured comprehensive data on judicial performance in Colorado, producing detailed reports and actionable insights that support accountability, transparency, and informed retention decisions within the state’s merit-based judicial system.