Public Input on Judge Klein Due

Public input sought on judge in 'land grab'
Hearing for judges up for retention set for Thursday
Camera staffOriginally published 07:56 a.m., April 16, 2008Updated 07:56 a.m., April 16, 2008

The Colorado Judicial Commission will hold a public hearing from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday seeking input on six judges in the 20th Judicial District up for retention this fall.
The judges who will be on the November ballot include District Judge James Klein, who has drawn intense criticism for his decision to award one-third of a south Boulder couple's vacant lot to their neighbors.
Also up for retention are district judges Roxanne Bailin, Maria Berkenkotter and Gwyn Whalen, and county court judges John Stavely and Thomas Reed.
The hearing will be held in Courtroom F of the Boulder County Justice Center at Sixth Street and Canyon Boulevard in Boulder.
The commission will accept public input, either written or in person, from anyone who has had matters before those judges since Jan. 1, 2007.
Since 1990, judges in Colorado must have their names appear on the ballot every four or six years. Voters can choose to either keep the judges on the bench or kick them off.
The Colorado Judicial Commission issues recommendations in the "blue books" that are distributed to voters every election.
Letters also may be sent to William Eckert, 20th Judicial District Judicial Performance Commission, 5431 Omaha Place, Boulder, CO 80303.
Letters must include the name and address of the person submitting the comments, and the judge will receive an anonymous copy of the letter.