JPEC to consult Utah, Colorado programs and study vendor options as SB 45 deadlines approach

Commissioners reported results of calls with Utah’s long-standing judicial evaluation program and officials in Colorado and recommended that the commission use those programs’ experience to shape its work. Commissioners described Utah’s program as a helpful model and noted Colorado and other states use third-party vendors and varying vendor costs.

Commissioner Lockerbie and others described Utah’s use of blind evaluations, volunteer courtroom observers trained to grade proceedings, and subcommittees that included judges to increase buy-in. Commissioners said those practices helped the Utah program evolve and build credibility with judges and the public.

On a motion from Commissioner Wheat, the commission authorized Executive Director Jeremy Brown to travel to meet with Utah’s executive director and staff and to consult Colorado’s program and national resources (including IAALS/University of Denver contacts) about vendor selection and survey methodology. The motion passed; the chair recorded the vote as 8–0 in favor.

Commissioners discussed vendor costs. Brown and others noted that Colorado’s vendor contract had been cited at roughly $360,000 in annual operating costs for a larger statewide program; the commission agreed that vendor pricing should be investigated before committing funds and that a university-based survey option might be explored as a cost alternative.

Why it matters: SB 45 requires the commission hire or contract with a third party to conduct judicial performance surveys; vendor selection and methodology (who is surveyed, whether evaluations are blind, how to weight responses) will shape the credibility of results and public messaging leading into elections.

What’s next: Brown will schedule in-person or virtual meetings with Utah, Colorado and national groups and report back to the commission with vendor recommendations and cost estimates.