Shall Judge Elizabeth Joan McCarthy of the 2nd Judicial District/Juvenile be retained in office?
What does this office do?
- Deciding trials in the county
- Ruling on evidence and setting sentences in criminal cases
- Deciding family, probate, and civil disputes
Affects: Public Safety and Crime Control, Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties, Housing Affordability,
Elizabeth Joan McCarthy
Nonpartisan · Incumbent · Official site
Presiding judge of the Denver Juvenile Court since March 2024, after joining the court as a magistrate in 2019. Earlier an assistant attorney general for Colorado from 2011 to 2019 and a Denver deputy district attorney.
Track record
Track record — General
General · 2 records
Had an order ending a father's parental rights overturned by the Colorado Court of Appeals, which found her reasons were not supported.
September 11, 2025
Source: denvergazette.com
Was named presiding judge of the Denver Juvenile Court by Colorado Supreme Court Chief Justice Brian Boatright.
March 12, 2024
Source: coloradojudicial.gov
Track record — Legal Competence
Legal Competence · 1 favorable
The 2nd Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance voted 10-0 that Elizabeth Joan McCarthy meets Colorado's performance standards for judges, in its 2026 review before the retention vote.
August 4, 2026Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: judicialperformance.colorado.gov
Source: denvergov.org