This story was first published at Colorado Newsline.
DENVER | Colorado Gov. Jared Polis on Tuesday appointed Susan Blanco to the Colorado Supreme Court.
“It is the honor of a lifetime to serve on the Colorado Supreme Court as a Colorado native and as an American with Middle Eastern heritage,” Blanco said during a press conference to announce her appointment at the Colorado Capitol. “I am a living promise of the American dream, yet my heart grieves for the people in Iran, and others in the Middle East, including my extended family, who do not enjoy the protections of the rule of law that we hold sacred here in the United States.”
Blanco is the chief judge of the state’s 8th Judicial District, which includes Larimer and Jackson counties. She grew up in Fort Collins and Greeley and chairs two committees to the Colorado Supreme Court: the Pathways to Access Committee and the Information Technology Committee.
“Justice Blanco is not afraid to roll up her sleeves and get to work, and I’m confident her respect for the rule of law, justice, and her community-oriented approach and her tenacity and her work ethic will be a very strong addition to the Colorado Supreme Court,” Polis said.
The 8th District, under Blanco’s leadership, was the first in the state to launch a “competency docket” program to help connect people accused of crimes with mental health services if they cannot contribute to their own defense or understand court proceedings — a feat Polis said has earned Blanco national recognition. Other districts picked up the program after seeing its success in the 8th District.
Blanco is the daughter of immigrants and comes from a family of political asylees, she said.
“I do not take lightly what it means to have a seat at this table, to help interpret and uphold the laws of the state,” Blanco said. “It is both a solemn responsibility and a powerful affirmation that in America, justice belongs to everyone, and its guardians can come from the most unexpected places.”
Polis appointed Blanco to replace former Colorado Supreme Court Justice Melissa Hart, who retired in January. Hers is the second appointment Polis has made to the court. He appointed Justice Maria Berkenkotter in 2020.
Blanco also worked as a prosecutor for the 8th Judicial District attorney’s office. She studied at Duke University, the University of Colorado Law School, and Colorado State University.