Colo. Code. Jud. Cond. 3.15

As amended through Rule Change 2024(18), effective October 2, 2024

Rule 3.15 - Reporting Requirements

(A) A judge shall publicly report the source and amount or value of:

(1) compensation received for extrajudicial activities as permitted by Rule 3.12;

(2) gifts and other things of value as permitted by Rule 3.13(C), unless the value of such items does not exceed the statutory amount specified in Title 24, Article VI of the Colorado Revised Statutes; and

(3) reimbursement of expenses and waiver of fees or charges permitted by Rule 3.14(A).

(B) When public reporting is required by paragraph (A), a judge shall report the date, place, and nature of the activity for which the judge received any compensation; the description of any gift, loan, bequest, benefit, or other thing of value accepted; and the source of reimbursement of expenses or waiver or partial waiver of fees or charges.

(C) The public report required by paragraph (A)(1) shall be made at least annually. Public reports required by paragraph (A)(2) and (3) shall be made quarterly.

(D) Reports made in compliance with this Rule shall be filed as public documents in the office of the clerk of the court on which the judge serves or other office designated by law*.

(E) Full time magistrates shall file reports required by paragraph A in the office of the clerk of the court on which the magistrate serves annually on or before January 15.

Colo. Code. Jud. Cond. 3.15

COMMENT

[1] In Colorado, judges' public reporting requirements are governed both by this Code and by statute. See §24-6-202 and -203, C.R.S.

[2] Pursuant to section 24-6-202 , all judges are required to file an annual disclosure with the secretary of state.

[3] Pursuant to section 24-6-203 , judges are required to file quarterly disclosures reporting gifts, loans, tickets to events, and reimbursement for travel and lodging expenses.

[a] Money, including a loan, pledge, or advance of money or a guarantee of a loan of money with a value of $25 or more must be reported. §24-6-203(3)(a), C.R.S.

[b] Any gift of any item of real or personal property, other than money, with a value of $50 or more must be reported. §24-6-203(3)(b).

[c] Any loan of any item of real or personal property, other than money, if the value of the loan is $50 or more. §24-6-203(3)(c).

[d] Waiver or partial waiver of the cost of attending CLEs or other educational conferences or seminars is included within the statutory requirement that judges report tickets to sporting, recreational, educational or cultural events with a value of $50 or more, or a series of tickets with a value of $100 or more. §24-6-203(3)(e), C.R.S.

[e] Payment of or reimbursement for actual and necessary expenditures for travel and lodging at a convention or meeting at which the judge is scheduled to participate must be reported unless the payment or reimbursement is made from public funds, a joint governmental agency, an association of judges, or the judicial branch. §24-6-203(3)(f), C.R.S

[4] The disclosure reports filed with the secretary of state's office may be posted electronically on its website when technically feasible.