On April 17, 2025, the Colorado Judicial Ethics Advisory Board published an advisory opinion opining that a judge may not drive a vehicle displaying his wife’s law firm logo, nor park such a vehicle at his residence, even when the spouse’s employer offers a financial stipend for branded vehicles. See C.J.E.A.B. Advisory Opinion 2025-01 (April 17, 2025). In its opinion, the panel determined that such activity would violate Rules 1.3, 2.4, and 2.11 of the Code of Judicial Conduct by creating an appearance of partiality and impropriety. The board reasoned that driving or displaying such a vehicle could convey the impression that the law firm holds influence over the judge, potentially undermining public confidence in judicial independence. The panel did, however, permit the judge to occasionally ride as a passenger in the vehicle under Rule 3.13(B)(8), which allows judges to accept incidental benefits associated with a spouse’s profession.
