S_JUD_2023A 04/19/2023 01:34:27 PM Committee Summary

Senator Gonzales and Gardner, co-prime sponsors, presented House Concurrent Resolution 23-1001, submitting to the registered electors of the state of Colorado an amendment to the Colorado Constitution concerning judicial discipline, and, in connection therewith, establishing an independent judicial discipline adjudicative board, setting standards for judicial review of a discipline case, and clarifying when discipline proceedings become public. 

Chief Justice Brian Boatright, representing Judicial Department, testified in support of the bill.

Committee discussion followed about confidentiality in other states and judicial discipline rulemaking committees. 

Mr. Jim Browsky, representing themself, testified to amend the bill to include family courts. 

Ms. Emma Garrison, epresenting Colorado Women’s Bar Association (CWBA), testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Elizabeth Espinosa Krupa, representing Colorado Commission on Judicial Discipline, testified in support of the bill.

Hon. David Prince, representing Colorado Commission on Judicial Discipline, testified in support of the bill.

Committee members asked questions about the composition of the proposed rulemaking bodies and appointment authority. 

Ms. Ariana Busby, representing Colorado Women’s Bar Association (CWBA), testified in support of the bill.

Carol, representing herself, testified about the bill.

Helena Topa, representing herself, testified against the bill.

Attachment A is a handout from a witness. 

The bill was laid over to review proposed amendments. 

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Senators Gardner and Gonzales, co-prime sponsors, presented House Bill 23-1019, concerning judicial discipline, and, in connection therewith, ensuring complainant rights in judicial discipline proceedings and making an appropriation.  The bill sponsors explained the bill and recapped the Interim Committee on Judicial Discipline. 

Committee members asked questions about amendments made in the House. 

Ms Jeni Dees, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Ms Kelly Haviland, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Hon. David Prince, representing Colorado Commission on Judicial Discipline, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Elizabeth Espinosa Krupa, representing Colorado Commission on Judicial Discipline, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Emma Garrison, representing Colorado Women’s Bar Association (CWBA), testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Ariana Busby, representing Colorado Women’s Bar Association (CWBA), testified in support of the bill.

Committee discussion followed about modernizing the judicial discipline process. 

Dr. Malia Reddick, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

The bill was laid over to review proposed amendments. 

Senators Gardner and Moreno, co-prime sponsors, presented House Bill 23-1205, concerning the creation of the Office of the Judicial Discipline Ombudsman, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation. 

Committee members asked questions about the office and who it will serve and in what capacity.   Committee discussion ensued about where the office would be housed. 

Melissa Thompson, representing Office of Respondent Parents' Counsel, testified in support of the bill.

Committee members asked questions about the ombudsman's scope. 

Ms. Emma Garrison, representing Colorado Women’s Bar Association (CWBA), testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Ariana Busby, representing Colorado Women’s Bar Association (CWBA), testified in support of the bill.

Committee members discussed if the proposed ombudsman would cover both internal and external complaints.  They continued the discussion about the relationship of the proposed ombudsman to the Commission on Judicial Discipline. 

Hon. David Prince, representing Colorado Commission on Judicial Discipline, testified in support of the bill.

Committee members engaged in a discussion with the witness about the independence and scope of the of the proposed ombudsman office. 

Ms. Elizabeth Espinosa Krupa, representing Colorado Commission on Judicial Discipline, testified in support of the bill.

Melanie Jordan, representing Office of Respondent Parents' Counsel, testified in support of the bill.

Elizabeth Newman, representing Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault, testified in a neutral position on the bill.

Committee members asked questions about the Child Protection Ombudsman. 

Justice Marquez, representing the Judicial Department, testified in an amend position.

Committee members engaged in a discussion with the witness about the proposed ombudsman office, including who it intends to serve, the scope, and nature of the misconduct. 

The bill was laid over to work on amendments. 

Written testimony concerning HCR23-1001, HB23-1019, and HB 23-1205 may be found in Attachment B. 

Senators Gardner and Gonzales, co-prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 23-282, concerning the creation of "Jury Appreciation Day".

Committee members asked questions about observed holidays. 

Committee members raised concerns about celebrating Constitutional obligations.

House Bill 23-1192 was laid over to a later date.