Elizabeth L. Harris

The State Commission on Judicial Performance finds that Judge Elizabeth L. Harris, by vote of 9-0 with one commissioner absent, and one commission vacancy, MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS . Colorado’s statutory judicial performance standards are integrity, legal knowledge, communication skills, judicial temperament, and service to the legal profession and the public.

The Commission finds that her opinions are clear, well-written, and reasonably timely. At oral arguments, she is well-prepared, succinct in her questions, respectful, and seeks to draw out the issues most important to the Court’s decision-making process. Judge Harris received positive comments from lawyers about her preparation, intelligence, familiarity with the record on appeal, and knowledge of the law. Lawyers noted the length of time required for Judge Harris to issue an opinion as a weakness. Judge Harris received positive comments from fellow judges for her writing ability, her thoughtfulness and her engagement in committee work for Colorado Courts. Judges also noted Judge Harris’ timeliness in issuing decisions as a weakness. The Commission commends Judge Harris for her commitment to community service and the Court of Appeals/Supreme Court summer internship program. Such efforts beyond the daily work of the Court of Appeals demonstrate dedication to serving the legal profession and the public. In sum, the Commission finds Judge Harris to be a valuable member of the Court of Appeals.

To conduct our evaluation, the Commission interviewed Judge Harris, reviewed her self-evaluation, observed oral arguments, read a selection of her legal opinions, and considered survey responses from attorneys and judges. The Commission received survey responses from only 5 attorneys and 22 judges. Nevertheless, the Commission is confident in this opinion because 93% of responding judges and attorneys agreed, and all remaining sources of information available supported a finding that Judge Harris “Meets Performance Standards.”

Judge Harris is a graduate of Georgetown University and New York University School of Law. She began her legal career as a law clerk for the Honorable John Porfilio of the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. After her clerkship, she spent five years at the Federal Public Defender’s Office in Colorado and then joined the law firm of Jacobs Chase, which was later acquired by Husch Blackwell. In 2013, she opened her own law firm where she focused on appellate litigation. She was appointed to the Colorado Court of Appeals in 2015.

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