With the advent of Jacksonian Democracy, the emphasis was that everyone, including judges, should be popularly elected and subject to the will of the people. Opinion is now swinging back. Looking at the judicial branch in the same light as the executive and legislative is a mistake. Judges must decide cases based on law, not what they perceive to be the majority viewpoint. Colorado has had Merit Selection since 1966, as do the majority of states.
Elections always mean raising campaign funds.
Lawyers would donate to a judge's campaign, which gives the perception that judges' decisions can be purchased. It's said that voters don't get enough information about judges. These commissions solicit opinions and issue public reports. These evaluations will be printed in the Blue Book that goes to every Colorado voter. Campaigns take time - it would be detrimental to the already overloaded judicial system to have judge candidates campaigning.