Susan Blanco
Susan Blanco | |
|---|---|
| Associate Justice of the Colorado Supreme Court | |
| Assumed office February 17, 2026 | |
| Appointed by | Jared Polis |
| Preceded by | Melissa Hart |
| Personal details | |
| Education | Duke University (LLM) University of Colorado School of Law (JD) Colorado University (BS) |
Susan Blanco is an American attorney and judge who has served as an Associate Justice of the Colorado Supreme Court since 2026, when she was appointed by Governor Jared Polis. She previously served as the Chief Judge of Colorado's 8th Judicial District from 2021 to 2026. She is the first Iranian-American to serve on a state supreme court.
Biography
Blanco assumed a seat on the Eighth Judicial District, which serves Larimer County and Jackson County,[1] in January 2017 and went on to become the Chief Judge of the District in 2021. She was the first woman to serve as Chief Judge of that district.[2]
The Colorado Supreme Court Nominating Commission announced that she was one of the three finalists for the open seat in the Colorado Supreme Court on February 5, 2026.[3][4] On February 17, 2026, Governor Jared Polis officially appointed her to the open seat,[5][6] emphasizing her innovation, excellence, creativity, and hard work. In her speech after receiving the appointment, she spoke about how she is the daughter of immigrants and how her heart grieves for extended family in the Middle East who don't enjoy the same protections of the rule of law.[7][8]
Her first opinion as a Supreme Court of Colorado justice was a concurrence in conclusion, but sided with the dissent in the judicial principles, that a court can only bring up issues that have been brought before them by the parties.[9]
The Iranian-American Bar Association has announced they will award her their 2026 "Trailblazer" award for being the first Iranian-American on a state supreme court in the United States.[10]
References
- ^ "Gov. Jared Polis names Susan Blanco as new Colorado Supreme Court justice". The Denver Post. 2026-02-17. Retrieved 2026-06-17.
- ^ "Breaking Barriers: How Chief Judge Susan Blanco '03 Is Reshaping Justice | Colorado Law | University of Colorado Boulder". www.colorado.edu. Retrieved 2026-06-17.
- ^ "Three finalists named to become new Colorado Supreme Court justice". Colorado Newsline. Retrieved 2026-06-17.
- ^ "Finalists for vacant Colorado Supreme Court justice spot revealed". FOX31 Denver. 2026-02-03. Archived from the original on 2026-02-04. Retrieved 2026-06-17.
- ^ "Gov. Polis appoints Susan Blanco to Colorado Supreme Court". Colorado Newsline. Retrieved 2026-06-17.
- ^ "Governor Polis Makes Appointment to the Colorado Supreme Court | Colorado Governor Jared Polis". governorsoffice.colorado.gov. Retrieved 2026-06-17.
- ^ "Gov. Jared Polis announces Susan Blanco as new Colorado Supreme Court justice - CBS Colorado". www.cbsnews.com. 2026-02-17. Retrieved 2026-06-17.
- ^ Solomon, Rae (2026-02-18). "Susan Blanco tapped as Colorado's newest Supreme Court justice". KSUT Public Radio. Retrieved 2026-06-17.
- ^ Karlik, Michael (2026-04-01). "Susan Blanco signals views on role of appellate courts in first opinion as Colorado justice". Colorado Springs Gazette. Retrieved 2026-06-17.
- ^ "We are thrilled to recognize Justice Susan Blanco of the Colorado Supreme Court as the recipient of this year's Trailblazer Award at IABA's National Summit in New York City. As the first Iranian… | Iranian American Bar Association - National". LinkedIn. Retrieved 2026-06-17.