DENVER—Conservative activist John Andrews wants voters to approve a retooled term-limits proposal for state judges, even though a similar measure was rebuffed two years ago.
Andrews, a Republican and a former state Senate president, wants to limit judges to a total of 12 years in office. Currently, there are no limits on how long they can serve.
Andrews’ new proposal would apply to county, district, state Court of Appeals and state Supreme Court judges.
Currently, Colorado judges are appointed by the governor for an initial term of two years and then must stand for an up-or-down retention vote if they want to serve longer. The length of subsequent terms varies from 10 years for the Supreme Court to four years for county courts.
Andrews’ new measure, an amendment to the state constitution, would apply to any judge who passes his or her first retention vote after Jan. 1, 2010.
Before each retention election, the state Judicial Performance Commission reviews judges and makes recommendations on whether they should be retained. Commission members are appointed by the chief justice of the Supreme Court, the governor and legislative leaders.
Andrews said the review system is ineffective, noting that only 10 judges have not been recommended for retention since the Legislature set up the system in 1988 and only six have been sent packing by voters.
“Some say we have a judicial system that says we’re close to perfect. I think it says we have a toothless review system,” Andrews said.
Andrews’ earlier proposal would have applied only to state Supreme Court and Court of Appeals judges and would have been retroactive. Had it passed, five of the seven sitting Supreme Court justices and seven of the 19 appellate judges would have been forced out immediately.
It was defeated in November 2006 by 57 percent to 43 percent.
The Colorado Bar Association opposed that measure, saying it would deprive the state of experienced judges.
Chuck Turner, executive director of the Colorado Bar Association, said the association opposes the new measure as well.
“We think there is enough accountability built into the system and the Legislature is going to be considering an enhanced judicial review process this year,” he said. “To arbitrarily force people out is unnecessary and would deprive the state of quality and experienced judges.”
The wording of Andrews’ new measure has been approved by the state Ballot Title Setting Board. Andrews will need 76,047 valid petition signatures to get the measure on the ballot and plans to begin gathering them this month.
