Voters Trend Against Judge JenniLynn Lawrence
Early retention returns show Mesa County judge trailing in the 21st Judicial District as voters weigh her performance record.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Criminal Justice
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Do you think judges should keep their seats when their performance is rated mixed?
As of 3 p.m. Wednesday, 28,800 votes had been cast against retaining District Court Judge JenniLynn Lawrence in the 21st Judicial District, compared with 27,382 in favor. If the results hold, she would be one of four Colorado judges ousted from 124 up for retention in 2026.
Why it matters
A split performance commission and a mixed attorney survey have made Lawrence's retention a closely watched test of how voters evaluate judges. The outcome could leave the 21st Judicial District with two or three judicial vacancies.
Preliminary retention returns show 28,800 votes against Lawrence versus 27,382 in favor as of Wednesday afternoon, with final results not yet certified. Lawrence declared a mistrial in January in the Patrick Egan case, which remains pending.
The players
JenniLynn Lawrence
A Colorado District Court judge in the 21st Judicial District who was appointed to the bench in 2024 and is facing voter retention.
Patrick Egan
A defendant accused of strangling a TV reporter in December 2024 whose case ended in a mistrial declared by Judge Lawrence.
Brian Flynn
The chief judge of the 21st Judicial District who is retiring at the end of 2026.
The details
Lawrence was appointed to the bench in 2024 after previously serving as a judge in Montezuma County. The Judicial Performance Commission for the 21st Judicial District split 4-4 on reappointing her, and she logged 74 hours of continuing education in the last year.
Timeline
2024: Lawrence is appointed to the bench.
December 2024: Patrick Egan is accused of strangling a TV reporter.
January 2026: Lawrence declares a mistrial in the Egan case on the fifth day of trial.
November 4, 2026: Retention returns show Lawrence trailing as of Wednesday afternoon.
End of 2026: Chief Judge Brian Flynn retires.
Legal Context
Colorado judges are appointed by the governor on local commission recommendation and then retained by voters after a provisional term, a system that puts Judicial Performance Commission ratings directly before the electorate. Lawrence's split commission vote and possible ouster would test how that process functions in practice, with four of 124 judges up for retention in 2026 at risk if results hold.
Voters in the 21st Judicial District decide whether Lawrence remains on the bench, which determines who presides over cases in Mesa County. If she is removed, the district would have two or three vacancies to fill.
The takeaway
Voters evaluating judges can review Judicial Performance Commission ratings and survey results alongside retention ballots. Those ratings showed a sharp gap between attorney and non-attorney views of Lawrence's performance.
Further reading
For broader background, see Criminal Justice coverage of how courts and judges are held accountable.
Live Poll
Do you think judges should keep their seats when their performance is rated mixed?
