A decade-old rebuke could pose problems for one of Gov. Bill Ritter’s latest appointments to the state parole board when the Senate decides today whether to greenlight three new Democrats for the panel.
A review commission in 1996 recommended that Celeste C de Baca, then a Denver County juvenile judge, lose her judgeship because of “inappropriate demeanor, lack of courtesy and lack of compassion,” records show.
Grand Junction Republican Josh Penry said he plans to question C de Baca’s and the others’ appointments, which would leave just one GOP member on a board recently criticized for a spike in early parole rates.
Ritter has known C de Baca for years “and has the greatest confidence in her abilities, skills and talent,” said spokesman Evan Dreyer.
C de Baca left the bench in 2000 and has served as an administrative hearing officer for the parole board. She did not return a call for comment Tuesday.
About one in 61 judges has received a rare negative recommendation from judicial performance commissions since 1990, legislative staff data show.
Penry said the review “raises a red flag.”
“A lot of these political appointments don’t mean a lot,” he said. “But these appointees make very important public-safety decisions.”
Ritter has not appointed a Republican to the seven-member parole board.
Dreyer said appointments are based on qualifications and not party affiliation.
Jessica Fender: 303-954-1244 or jfender@denverpost.com
