Citizens of Colorado will find a different format for judge retention questions in future elections thanks to voters’ approval of Amendment W in this year’s election.

Amendment W, a 2018 ballot measure that seeks to change the format of judge retention questions in future elections, was approved by the votes of Colorado. Across the state 53 percent of the votes were cast in favor of the measure while 47 percent were against. In Garfield County, voters were split roughly 50/50.

Amendment W is primarily a cosmetic measure and will not change a voter’s ability to vote on the retention of judges and justices. Rather Amendment W will change the format of ballots as it relates to judge retention questions.

The judicial retention section on Colorado ballots is currently broken down into separate segments. In future elections the format of those retention questions will change by moving the retention question language from the section beside each judge’s name to the heading of the various courts. Each judge’s name will then be listed below the heading alongside the spaces for voters to select if they should be retained.