Tow Designated Next Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals

Nov. 13, 2025, DENVER— Chief Justice Monica Márquez announced today a key leadership transition, appointing Court of Appeals Judge Ted Tow as the chief judge-designate of the Colorado Court of Appeals, as Chief Judge Gilbert Román prepares for the end of his term as chief on July 31, 2026. During this time, Judge Tow will go through an onboarding process, working directly with Chief Judge Román.

"Chief Judge Román’s leadership as chief of the Colorado Court of Appeals has been marked by his integrity, intelligence, and commitment to justice. On behalf of the entire Colorado Supreme Court, I thank Chief Román for his years of exemplary leadership as chief,” said Chief Justice Monica M. Marquez. “As we welcome Judge Ted Tow as the new Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals, I am confident that his dedication, experience, commitment to judicial excellence, and his deep understanding of the law will serve the Court and our state well in the years ahead."

“Serving as Chief Judge of the Colorado Court of Appeals has been the greatest honor of my professional career,” said Chief Judge Gilbert Román. “I am deeply grateful to former Chief Justice Boatright for entrusting me with this responsibility and to Chief Justice Márquez for her leadership and partnership this past year. Like all chief judges, my hope is that my colleagues and staff feel I have left the court in a strong position. I am confident the court is well-positioned for the future under Judge Tow’s capable leadership.”

“I am grateful for Chief Justice Márquez’s trust and confidence,” said Judge Tow. “It is a privilege to be given the responsibility of leading the amazing team at the Court of Appeals, and I look forward to continuing the work of my tremendous predecessors in advancing the goals of access to justice and the rule of law.”

Judge Ted C. Tow was appointed to the Colorado Court of Appeals on Feb.13, 2018. Before joining the Court, he served for seven years as a District Judge in the 17th Judicial District (Adams County). Before his judicial service, Judge Tow was the Executive Director of the Colorado District Attorneys’ Council, following several years as a deputy district attorney. He began his legal career in private practice, working primarily in labor and employment law with the firms Dickinson, Wright, Moon, Van Dusen & Freeman and Matkov, Salzman, Madoff & Gunn in Chicago, and later with Sherman & Howard in Denver. Judge Tow earned his B.A. in English Literature and Comparative Constitutional History with Distinction and College Honors from the University of Kansas, and his J.D., summa cum laude, from Wayne State University Law School. He is an active member of the Colorado Bar Association, where he has served in numerous leadership roles, including on the Board of Governors and Executive Council, and currently serves as a Trustee of the Colorado Bar Foundation. He is also a member of the Adams/Broomfield Bar Association and the Law Club and previously chaired the Colorado Judicial Discipline Commission. A graduate and former co-lead of the Colorado Institute for Faculty Excellence in Judicial Education (COIFE), Judge Tow frequently presents continuing legal education programs for the Judicial Branch and the Colorado Bar Association on topics including inclusive courtroom practices, family law, civil procedure, and legal and judicial ethics.

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