The Colorado Supreme Court suspended a trial judge late last year, while ordering the state’s judicial discipline commission to keep it informed of the developments in the judge’s investigation.

District Court Judge Justin B. Haenlein presides in the 13th Judicial District, consisting of Morgan, Logan, Sedgwick, Phillips, Washington, Yuma and Kit Carson counties. The Supreme Court’s Nov. 25 order suspended Haenlein with pay, and cited the rule of judicial discipline allowing for judges under investigation to agree to a temporary suspension.

The order contained no further details about the nature of the proceedings, only an instruction for the Colorado Commission on Judicial Discipline to update the Supreme Court every 45 days until the case is resolved.

Chief Justice Monica M. Márquez did not participate in the issuance of the order. As is the court’s practice, she did not disclose her reason for recusing herself.

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Anne Mangiardi, the executive director of the judicial discipline commission, had no further comment, as disciplinary proceedings remain largely confidential. However, she confirmed Haenlein was the judge briefly referenced in the commission’s year-end report issued last week, whose “case is ongoing.”

Through the judicial branch, Colorado Politics invited Haenlein and the 13th Judicial District to offer a statement on Haenlein’s suspension. Citing confidentiality, the district declined to comment.

Travis Sides, the elected district attorney, said he knew about Haenlein’s suspension but had no knowledge of the details. Colorado Politics contacted multiple attorneys and law offices with business in the 13th Judicial District, who indicated they had no further information about the circumstances.

Gov. Jared Polis appointed Haenlein to the district court effective in January 2022. Previously, he practiced criminal, traffic, juvenile delinquency, dependency and neglect, mental health and bankruptcy law.

Voters in the 13th Judicial District retained Haenlein last year by a margin of 57%-43%. The citizen-led performance commission that made a recommendation to voters offered a uniformly positive review of him. It cited Haenlein’s reputation for being respectful, unbiased, prepared and willing to learn.

Three weeks later, the Supreme Court suspended him.