Colorado Judicial Institute to Honor Judicial Excellence at 2025 Gala

The Colorado Judicial Institute (CJI) will host its 23rd annual Judicial Excellence for Colorado Gala Dinner on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency Denver at the Colorado Convention Center. This signature event serves as CJI's largest fundraiser and celebrates judges who demonstrate exceptional commitment to excellence, fairness, and leadership throughout Colorado's judicial system. The gala brings together leaders from Colorado's legal, business, and civic communities to support CJI's mission of promoting judicial excellence and public trust in the courts.

This year's Judicial Excellence Award recipients include District Court Chief Judge Susan Blanco from the 8th Judicial District, County Court Judge John Mochel from Las Animas & Huerfano Counties in the 3rd Judicial District, and Magistrate Melissa Annis from Denver County Court in the 2nd Judicial District. These honorees represent the highest standards of judicial performance across different levels of Colorado's court system. In addition to these awards, CJI will present a special Judicial Leadership Award to Chief Judge Ryan J. Stuart of the 23rd Judicial District for his instrumental role in establishing Colorado's newest judicial district. Judge Stuart has been responsible for building the district from its foundation, shaping its administrative structure and ensuring access to justice for the communities it serves.

The event's significance extends beyond mere recognition, as it directly supports CJI's judicial education programs through a paddle raise fundraiser. These educational initiatives are crucial for maintaining high standards within the judiciary and ensuring that Colorado's judges remain current with evolving legal standards and best practices. Jeff Rupp, Executive Director of CJI, emphasized the broader impact of honoring judicial excellence, noting that such recognition helps strengthen public confidence in the judicial system. The gala will feature Chandra Thomas Whitfield of Colorado Public Radio as Master of Ceremonies, with welcome remarks by Chief Justice Monica M. Márquez, adding prestige to the proceedings.

The Colorado Judicial Institute, originally founded in 1979, operates as an independent, nonpartisan, statewide community organization dedicated to promoting excellence, equity, impartiality, and public trust in Colorado's courts through outreach, education, and engagement. For more information about CJI's programs and mission, visit https://coloradojudicialinstitute.org. The organization maintains an active presence on professional and social media platforms, including https://linkedin.com and https://facebook.com, where it continues conversations about judicial excellence and court improvement initiatives. The annual gala represents a critical opportunity to celebrate those who uphold the rule of law while generating essential support for ongoing judicial education and public outreach efforts.