Colorado general election: November 3, 2026

Who is running for Denver County Court, Retention: Judge Chelsea Malone in 2026?

Here are the candidates for Denver County Court, Retention: Judge Chelsea Malone on the November 3, 2026 ballot. This race is on the ballot for voters in Denver County.

This is a retention vote: voters decide yes or no on keeping this judge for another term. Judges may not promise how they would rule, so we show experience and record instead of issue positions.

Chelsea Malone

· Incumbent

Denver County Court Judge (Denver County Court)

Chelsea Malone is the sitting Denver County Court Judge, standing for a retention vote on the November 3, 2026 ballot¹. Denver County Court Judge since 2016². The commission found the judge meets performance standards²⁴.

Denver County Court Judge since 2016²
Solo practitioner specializing in criminal defense²
University of Wyoming; University of Denver law degree²
Colorado judges are first appointed by the governor to a provisional term and then stand for retention³. Chelsea Malone was appointed to the Denver County Court in 2016². This is a retention election: voters decide yes or no on keeping the sitting judge, and no opponent is on the ballot¹.
Bar poll: Colorado Office of Judicial Performance Evaluation, 2026 evaluation: the page prints "Recommendation: Meets Performance Standards" and states: "The Denver County Court Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously agrees by a vote of 5-0 that Judge Chelsea Malone MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS."²⁴. This is an official state commission evaluation of the judge's performance, not an endorsement.
Public discipline: The Colorado Commission on Judicial Discipline states that it has no jurisdiction over Denver County Court judges, so its public Determination Database does not cover this judge. No other discipline source was checked.⁵

Last reviewed 2026-10-08. Spotted something wrong? Every claim links to its source so you can check it yourself.