Susan Blanco named new Colorado Supreme Court justice

Gov. Jared Polis Appoints Chief Judge Susan Blanco as Colorado Supreme Court Justice

Gov. Jared Polis announced on Tuesday that Larimer County Chief Judge Susan Blanco has been appointed as the newest justice on the Colorado Supreme Court. Blanco fills the vacancy left by the retirement of Justice Melissa Hart on January 5, following a months-long personal leave.

Blanco, who has served as a district court judge for nine years, is a graduate of Colorado State University, University of Colorado, and Duke Law School. Prior to becoming a judge, Blanco worked as a criminal defense attorney and represented children in dependency and neglect proceedings. She expressed that this work was “deeply meaningful” and allowed her to witness the impact of court decisions firsthand.

During a news conference, Blanco stated, “I step into this role humbled by the weight of the responsibility and inspired by the promise of our democracy. The law is not an abstraction. It is the shield that protects the vulnerable, the guardrails that restrain power, and the enduring promise that justice does not depend on who you are, where you come from, or what resources you have.”

Polis highlighted Blanco’s “strong track record of innovation” as a distinguishing factor among the applicants. He emphasized the importance of finding someone who not only excels in judicial work but also goes above and beyond in their role.

Blanco, who has been the chief judge for Larimer and Jackson counties for the past five years, co-founded a special competency court to support mentally ill or mentally disabled defendants. In her application, Blanco shared how her childhood experiences with the court system, specifically her parents’ divorce and custody case, influenced her approach to justice.

Chief Justice Monica Márquez welcomed Blanco to the court and mentioned the workload awaiting her. Newly appointed justices serve two-year terms before facing retention elections for an additional 10 years. The Colorado Supreme Court issues approximately 60 to 100 opinions yearly, with justices having discretion on which cases to consider.

Two other finalists, Andrea Wang and Christopher Zenisek, were also put forward by the nominating committee. Wang is a deputy solicitor general at the Colorado Attorney General’s Office specializing in water law, while Zenisek is a veteran district court judge in Jefferson and Gilpin counties.