The Tenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance agrees by a vote of 8-2, that Judge Allison P. Ernst MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS .
Judge Ernst presides over criminal cases as well as runs the Competency Court Docket in Pueblo, County which she was instrumental in implementing. Judge demonstrated a commitment to serving individuals with mental health needs, particularly through her work on competency matters. Judge Ernst’s demeanor is described as professional, respectful, compassionate, and thoughtful. She is diligent, knowledgeable, and thorough. Judge Ernst strives to make the right decisions, uphold the law, and ensure due process. Judge Ernst is very motivated and is involved in the legal community serving on numerous judicial committees and councils. Judge Ernst’s opinions reflect her knowledge of the law and are evidence of her ongoing learning by proactively educating herself and staying well informed of changes in the law. There is some concern that the judge’s sentencing practices may, at times, be more lenient than typical for comparable cases, with outcomes leaning toward the lower end of the range in certain matters. This has raised questions about consistency and proportionality, as well as whether those decisions consistently align with the seriousness of the offense, broader considerations of public safety, and public confidence in the judicial system.
The Commission conducted a personal interview with Judge Ernst, reviewed opinions she authored, observed her in court, and reviewed judicial performance survey responses from attorneys and non-attorneys who had interaction in Judge Ernst’s court. A total of four (4) attorneys and ten (10) non attorneys responded to the judicial performance surveys expressing their opinion of Judge Ernst. The Commission found the survey responses consistent with their independent evaluations. Based on these findings a majority of the Commission agreed that Judge Ernst meets performance standards.
Judge Ernst was appointed to the District Court in December 2016. She obtained both her undergraduate and law degree from Michigan State University. Directly after law school, Judge Ernst was awarded an Equal Justice Works Fellowship with Michigan State University’s Low Income Taxpayer Clinic. She then moved to Colorado and was hired by the Colorado State Public Defender’s Office in 2005 and worked as a public defender until 2011 at which time transition to private practice until she was appointed to the District Court.
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