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| Chapter 7 — Colorado Judges — Citizen's Review |
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| Back — First Judicial District |
Unlike all other judicial districts in Colorado the Second Judicial District does not have a combined court. Denver has separate courts, meaning different case types are filed in different courts.
District Court (civil and domestic matters), County Court (civil matters), Probate Court and Traffic Court are all located in the City and County Building.
Criminal Court (district and county) and Juvenile Court
In 2012 the Equal Justice Foundation began a rating system of justices standing for retention based on the votes of attorneys who submit responses to surveys sent to them by the Judicial Performance Review Commission. The idea was first put forward by the Rocky Mountain News in an October 13, 2002, editorial. Whether a “Retain” or “Do Not Retain” is recommended is based on the criteria:
• Retain: More than 85% of attorneys voted to retain;
• Marginal: in 2012 the standard was that only 80-85% of attorneys voted to retain. In 2014 review this was broadened to 75-85% and in 2018 the standard was expanded again to 71-85% of attorneys voted to retain;
• Do Not Retain: In 2012 the standard was less than 80% of attorneys voted to retain. In 2014 review this was changed to <75% of attorneys voted to retain and in 2018 this was lowered even further to less than or equal <=70% suggesting judicial standards continue to decline.
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Appointed district court judge by Gov. Polis on July 9, 2024, to replace Judge Antoun. Previously he was a magistrate in the 17 th Judicial District. |
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Appointed district court judge September 17, 2020, by Gov. Polis. Replaced Robert L. McGahey Jr. Previously in private practice. |
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Appointed district court judge by Gov. Polis in December 2019. Prior to her appointment she was a Supervising Attorney in the Denver Trial Office of the Colorado State Public Defender. |
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88% of attorneys voted to Retain while just 6% voted Do Not Retain. |
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Appointed in 2022 by Gov. Polis. Previously he was with the Colorado Attorney General's office for 12 years. |
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87% of attorneys voted to Retain but 11% voted Do Not Retain. |
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Appointed district judge by Gov. Hickenlooper in November 2017. Previously with public defenders office. Promoted to chief judge in September 2022. |
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87% of attorneys voted to Retain while only 4% voted Do Not Retain |
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Now trains dogs to be service/assistance dogs for the physically handicapped. |
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Reported to be fair and impartial in determining child support. Unfortunately, he retired in April 2006. |
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Appointed district court judge by Gov. Polis in January 2020. Previously in private practice. |
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Appointed district judge by Gov. Hickenlooper in March 2014. Previously in private practice. |
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90% of attorneys voted to Retain with just 4% voting Do Not Retain. |
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Rather than stand for retention in 2022, Bronfin retired at the end of his term on January 10, 2023 |
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Did not stand for retention in 2022 and term ended January 10, 2023. |
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Appointed district court judge in November 2013. Prior to that he was in private practice. |
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Closing arguments in case were heard in November 2017 but failed or refused to issue a ruling until August 2020 after being reprimanded by the Colorado Commission on Judicial Discipline. His delayed multi-million ruling against the private college is out-of-proportion, vindictive, and decimating. |
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Voided provisions of the Colorado Constitution in order to control the outcome of case. He was accused of doing this frequently regarding political issues between Republicans and Democrats. |
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On March 18, 2004, Rep. Greg Brophy, R-Wray called for Coughlin's impeachment (see Rocky Mountain News on March 19, 2004) |
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Appointed district court judge by Gov. Polis on July 1, 2020. Previously in private practice (oil and gas). |
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91% of attorneys voted to Retain with just 6% voting Do Not Retain. |
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Appointed district judge by Gov. HIckenlooper in January 2011. |
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This time only 83% of attorneys voted to Retain and 17% voted Do Not Retain. |
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Appointed district court judge by Gov. Polis and stepped up to bench on July 1, 2019. Previously in private practice. Also a deputy district attorney, and deputy regulation counsel at Office of Attorney Regulation. |
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Only 53% of attorneys voted to Retain while 47% voted Do Not Retain. |
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Appointed district court judge by Gov. Polis on May 28, 2021. Previously a county court judge. |
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Only a pathetic 36% of attorneys voted to Retain while a majority of 55% voted Do Not Retain. |
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Appointed district judge by Gov. Hickenlooper in November 2013. |
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This time 74% of attorneys voted to Retain but still 22% voted Do Not Retain. |
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Did not stand for retention in 2024 and his term will end January 6, 2025. |
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Appointed district court judge by Gov. Hickenlooper in June 2015. Previously in private practice. |
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94% of attorneys voted to Retain and just 6% voted Do Not Retain. |
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Appointed district judge by Gov. Hickenlooper in April 2016. Previously he was in public defender's office. |
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This time only a pitiful 53% of attorneys voted to Retain while 43% voted Do Not Retain. The largest drop in ratings we've seen! |
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He has publicly stated his views on current prison system and drug courts. |
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Gov. Hickenlooper promoted him to Colorado Supreme Court in January 2014. |
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Ignored constitutional right of citizen to keep and bear arms. When Colorado legislature voided municipal ordinance he refused to reverse himself. |
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Appointed district court judge by Gov. Polis in May 2019. Previously Deputy District Attorney in 17 th and 1 st Judicial Districts, |
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Only a pathetic 50% of attorneys voted to Retain while 46% voted Do Not Retain. |
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Appointed district judge in December 2010. No prior judicial experience. |
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This time only 77% of attorneys voted to Retain and 23% voted Do Not Retain. |
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Her performance markedly declined and was erratic over time. |
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Appointed district court judge by Gov. Polis effective January 10, 2023. |
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Retired January 11, 2021, after failing to stand for retention |
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A citizen on Clear The Bench states that Judge Madden, after taking over a case from another judge, failed to prosecute attorneys for contempt of court following repeated disregard of court orders. Judge Madden appeared to be motivated more by clearing his docket than in seeing justice done. |
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Stepped down December 31, 2006 to become Denver City Attorney. Resigned in disgrace from city attorney position on February 27, 2007, after being found with a stolen laptop computer. (Denver Post, February 28, 2007, p. 1B-4B). On June 13, 2007, he was charged with felony counts of theft, embezzlement, and tampering with evidence (he tried to remove pornography from the laptop). He committed suicide on June 22, 2007 (Denver Post, June 24, 2007, p.1A & 19A) |
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Given very poor rating in Oct. 13, 2002 Rocky Mountain News article. |
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Stood for retention in 2002. Pathetic 59% of attorneys voted to Retain. |
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Stood for retention in 2000. Pathetic 56% of attorneys voted to Retain. The commission found he required improvement in communications skills, courtroom demeanor and temperament, and that he lost his temper and responded in an inappropriate manner. He was also found to be sarcastic and abrupt in his courtroom manner. |
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Appointed district judge by Gov. Hickenlooper in January 2014. |
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Not quite as good a before but 89% of attorneys voted to Retain and just 6% voted Do Not Retain. |
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Retired March 31, 2007 but remains a senior judge as of November 2018. |
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Appointed district court judge by Gov. Polis on March 23, 2021. Previously in private practice. |
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Only 65% of attorneys voted to Retain while a full 35% voted Do Not Retain. Obviously she was not ready to step up to the bench. |
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Retired July 1, 2016, but remains a senior judge as of September 2020. |
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Appointed district court judge by Gov. Polis on September 17, 2020. Previously in private practice. |
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86% of attorneys voted to Retain and just 7% voted Do Not Retain. |
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Appointed district court judge by Gov. Polis effective December 1, 2023. |
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Did not stand for retention in 2010 and retired November 30 th . |
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Given very poor rating in Oct. 13, 2002 Rocky Mountain News article. |
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Stood for retention in 2002. Only 68% of attorneys voted to Retain. |
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Retired from bench effective December 31, 2017. This mediocrity remains a senior judge as of September 2020. |
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Stood for retention in 2008. Only 77% of attorneys voted to Retain that time. |
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Appointed district court judge by Gov. Polis on July 30, 2022. Previously served as Second Assistant Attorney General, State Services Section, Human Services Unit of the Colorado Department of Law. |
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92% of attorneys voted to Retain and just 8% voted Do Not Retain. |
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Appointed district court judge by Gov. Polis on September 19, 2021. Previously First Assistant Attorney General of Cross-Unit Litigation Team, Office of Colorado Attorney General. |
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Only 79% of attorneys voted to Retain while 10% voted Do Not Retain. |
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Appointed district court judge by Gov. Polis on January 17, 2019. Previously chief deputy district attorney in Denver District Attorney's Office. |
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91% of attorneys voted to Retain while just 6% voted Do Not Retain. |
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Promoted to district court judge by Gov. Polis on June 21, 2019. Previously a magistrate in 18 th Judicial District. |
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Did not stand for retention in 2024 and term will end January 5, 2025. |
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Appointed district judge by Gov. Hickenlooper in April 2016. Promoted from magistrate. |
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Only 70% of attorneys voted to Retain while a full 20% voted Do Not Retain. |
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Appointed district court judge by Gov. Polis on June 29, 2022. Previously she was Managing Attorney for the State Public Defender's Office in Denver. |
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A full 95% of attorneys voted to Retain while a mere 5% voted Do Not Retain. |
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Appointed district judge by Gov. Polis on January 10, 2023. She replaced Judge Buchanan. Previously she was in private practice. |
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Did not stand for retention in 2022 and stepped down on October 5, 2022 |
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Judge Whitney is a disaster. He has no understanding of either the rules of procedure or substantive law, and apparently he has no curiosity, either. Instead, Judge Whitney appears to believe that his job is to invent new law to achieve the outcome he desires, rather than apply the law as it already exists. |
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This court has been involved in scandalous behavior. |
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Transferred to probate court to replace Stewart in mid-2011. |
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91% of attorneys voted to Retain while only 2% voted Do Not Retain. |
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Stepped down from bench on June 10, 2011 after a series of very negative articles in the Denver Post. |
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Lindsey-Flanigan Courthouse, 520 West Colfax, Denver CO 80204 |
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Promoted to Court of Appeals by Gov. Hickenlooper in August 2013. |
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Only 84% of attorneys voted to retain this time and 16% voted Do Not Retain. |
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She did much worse in 2022 than in 2016. She needs to go! Wrongly terminated cognitively-impaired woman's parental rights. |
She is not listed on the state web site as of September 2024 and is apparently no longer on the bench. |
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Appointed juvenile court judge by Gov. Hickenlooper in November 2013. Prior to that she was a magistrate in the 17 th Judicial District (Adams County). |
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Stood for retention again in 2022. EJF recommendation: Do Not Retain Only 44% of attorneys voted to Retain while 56%% voted Do Not Retain. |
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Promoted to Juvenile Court Judge by Gov. Polis on March 21, 2024. Previously she was a magistrate for this court. |
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Promoted to Arapahoe County court judge by Gov. Polis November 16, 2020. |
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Appointed juvenile court judge by Gov. Polis on January 4, 2024. Previously she was a magistrate on this court. |
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Promoted to the Court of Appeals by Gov. Polis on November 9, 2023. |
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Appointed to Juvenile Court in April 2020 by Gov. Polis. Previously a magistrate in 1 st Judicial District. |
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Did not stand for retention in 2022. Term ended January 10, 2023. |
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Appointed district-juvenile judge by Gov. Ritter September 2007. Formerly an assistant Arapahoe County district attorney. |
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Stood for retention in 2010. Only a pitiful 59% of attorneys voted to retain. |
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Obviously his performance was not improving! At least three judges years ago knew of Woods drinking problems but never reported them. They maintained that silence until a courthouse manager who faced firing sought their help in confronting Woods. |
Resigned February 8, 2024, after being suspended pending an inquiry by the Colorado Commission on Judicial Discipline into his known drinking problem. |
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Appointed by Gov. Ritter September 2007. Formerly a Denver magistrate. |
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County Judges (appointed by Denver mayor) For county court information and addresses click here. |
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Located in Van Cise-Simonet Detention Center, Room 2100 As of 2007 Barrajas was put in charge of handing out protection orders, which he did with a typical disregard of Constitutional and human rights. |
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Stood for retention again in 2018. EJF recommendation: Questionable ethics While 88% of attorneys voted to Retain he had a generally poor record with the public. |
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At the time of his DUI Barajas was hearing traffic cases including driving while intoxicated complaints. He was reassigned after his DUI and resultant accident but not required to step down. 12 points were assessed against his drivers license and it would have been revoked for any citizen. |
After rear ending a truck that was turning right on Federal Blvd. while he was traveling west on 26 th Avenue, Barajas was charged with driving under the influence (DUI), careless driving, following too closely, and driving without proof of insurance on November 9, 2006, according to November 17, 2006, Denver Post (p. 2B). On January 3, 2007, Barajas pled guilty to careless driving and driving while ability impaired (DWAI). Charges of driving too closely, DUI, and driving without proof of insurance were dismissed. He was sentenced to pay costs of $969 and 45 days in jail, but 40 days were suspended. The 5 days were limited to wearing an electronic monitoring device, not actually in jail. |
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In August 2009 Barajas gave female Denver Parks official a restraining order against a man petitioning for redress of grievances. |
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Promoted to Denver County Court judge in January 2022 from magistrate in Adams County (17 th Judicial District). |
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90% of attorneys voted to Retain and 10% voted Do Not Retain. |
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Given very poor rating in Oct. 13, 2002 Rocky Mountain News article. |
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Stood for retention in 1998. Only a pathetic 62% of attorneys voted to retain. |
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Stood for retention in 2002. Only 73% of attorneys voted to retain. |
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This judge was reported to be faithful to the law and acts impartially. |
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In stark contrast with his 2010 performance review only 73% of attorneys voted to Retain. Time for this judge to retire. |
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Commission criticized her for an “apparent lack of familiarity or understanding of relevant law.” |
Did not stand for retention and stepped down January 7, 2019. |
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Stood for retention in 2014. 42% Retain. EJF recommendation: Do Not Retain. She was in over her head as a judge. |
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EJF recommendation: Retain 99% of attorneys. Personal observation confirms that. |
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Disqualified Denver DA's expert witness in domestic violence case. Also refused to allow hearsay witnesses for prosecution. |
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Given very poor rating in Oct. 13, 2002 Rocky Mountain News article. |
Did not stand for retention in 2014. Retired in January 2015. |
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Stood for retention in 2002. Only a pathetic 60% of attorneys voted to retain. |
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Stood for retention in 2010. A pitiful 66% of attorneys voted to retain. Judicial review commission offered no opinion for or against retention. |
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This judge is reported to be faithful to the law and acts impartially. |
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On July 27, 2011, Mary Celeste left her young granddaughter locked in her car while she went shopping. Police and fire were called to try and save the child from the heat. Had you or I done that we would be jailed and the child placed in foster care but she was simply “investigated” and no charges were filed. |
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82% of attorneys voted to Retain and only 9% voted Do Not Retain. |
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Appointed county court judge by Mayor Hancock in April 2016. Formerly a magistrate for Denver County Court. |
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Promoted to district court judge by Gov. Polis effective July 3, 2021. |
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Appointed by Mayor Hancock and stepped up to the bench on January 13, 2015. Formerly with Office of Attorney Regulation. |
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Appointed by Mayor Hancock on May 9, 2014. Formerly with Denver Public Defenders Counsel. |
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Appointed by county court judge by Mayor Hancock in September 2014. Formerly assistant Denver city attorney. |
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85% of attorneys voted to Retain but the remaining 15% all voted Do Not Retain. |
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Appointed county court judge by Mayor Hancock in February 2021 to replace Judge Gary Jackson. Previously senior assistant city attorney in City Attorney's Office, and senior litigator for Municipal Operations Section. |
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80% of attorneys voted to Retain but 20% voted Do Not Retain. |
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89% of attorneys voted to Retain but just 6% voted Do Not Retain. |
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No longer on bench as of November 2015. Apparently granted retirement in April 2016. |
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Appointed county judge in December 2008 by Mayor Hickenlooper. |
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On September 11, 2015, Judge Hada began acting erratically and inappropriately in court. Chief Judge John Marcucci asked Hada to leave but he refused. Marcucci then summoned sheriff's deputies who removed Hada from the courtroom. Reportedly the incident began when Hada attempted to attack an attorney appearing before him. Following the Friday meltdown, on September 14, 2015, Denver police and their SWAT team were called to a Denver hotel for a “welfare check.” A number of guests were evacuated and police took a man, reportedly Judge Hada, into custody. Judge Hada was placed on “extended leave” following these incidents. |
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Disqualified Denver DA's expert witness in domestic violence case in May 2010. |
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As of 2021 currently a semi-retired senior judge and co-chair of a coalition promoting diversity on the bench. |
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In July 2021 he was inducted into the National Bar Association's Fred David Gray Hall of Fame for his professional achievements and work on behalf of diversity, equity and inclusion in the legal profession. |
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EJF recommendation: Do Not Retain 32% while only 68% voted to Retain |
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This judge was observed in criminal proceedings being lenient with black defendants and hard on white defendants. |
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Appointed county court judge effective May 1, 2015 by Mayor Hancock. Formerly chief deputy DA in Denver working on domestic violence and crimes against children. |
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Did not improve and this time only 71% of attorneys voted to Retain while the remaining 29% all voted Do Not Retain. |
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Appointed county court judge by Mayor Hancock in April 2016. Served as public defender prior to appointment. |
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Appointed county court judge by Mayor Hancock January 16, 2020. Previously a magistrate with 17 th Judicial District. |
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Commission found problems with case management, application and knowledge of law, communications, diligence, and demeanor. |
Appointed county court judge by Mayor Hancock in August 2017. Previously the Denver Chief Deputy District Attorney for the office's Sexual Assault Unit. |
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Only an appalling 30% of attorneys voted to Retain while 50% voted Do Not Retain. This woman is clearly not up to the requirements of a judicial position. |
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In a preliminary report only a minuscule 14% of attorneys voted to Retain while the great majority, 86%, voted Do Not Retain. |
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Stood for retention in 2000. Only a deplorable 45% of attorneys voted for retention. |
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Ignored constitutional right of citizen to keep and bear arms. When Colorado legislature voided municipal ordinance he refused to reverse himself. |
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No (0%) attorneys voted to Retain while 67% voted Do Not Retain in preliminary report. |
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Over three retention evaluations his performance has clearly worsened. |
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Stood for retention again in 2020 |
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Just 27% of attorneys voted to Retain and 73% voted Do Not Retain and his performance has clearly worsened. |
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Professional and impartial. He was willing to address complaints regarding a magistrate (Cary) with fairness and impartiality. |
Retired June 30, 2014 but, to the benefit of the citizenry, remains a senior judge as of September 2020. |
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Concerns about his application of the law and about inconsistent application of laws and rules. Bias toward pro se parties acts in his favor in our opinion, as well as his snarly old dog. |
Appointed county court judge by Mayor Hancock in January 2017. Previously with Denver City Attorney's Office. |
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This time 85% of attorneys voted to Retain and just 15% voted Do Not Retain. |
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Appointed county court judge by Mayor Hancock on May 23, 2023, to replace Judge Wheeler. |
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Appointed by Mayor Hancock in August 2017 to replace retiring judges. Previously served as a District Court Magistrate in 17 th Judicial District. |
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Appointed county court judge by Mayor Hancock and sworn in on January 9, 2019. Previously served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for District of Colorado. |
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Promoted to Presiding Judge January 2017 and she is rarely in courtroom. |
Appointed by Mayor Hancock to the Denver County Court in October 2014. Before her appointment, Judge Spahn was in private practice with Wedgle & Spahn. |
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Only a preliminary evaluation from 2023 available. There just 67% of attorneys voted to Retain and 22% voted Do Not Retain. |
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Stepped down in March 2023 to join the Colorado Attorney General's Office. |
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Appointed county court judge by Mayor Hancock on January 16,2020. She was previously with the Colorado Attorney Generals office. |
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Appointed county court judge by Mayor Hancock on January 16, 2020. Previously a district court magistrate. |
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Transferred to probate court to replace Stewart in mid-2011. |
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Promoted to county court judge for Elbert County (18th Judicial District) in 2007 but still works as part-time magistrate here. |
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Refused to enter default judgment even after the defendant had failed to show for a second time. Her feelings transcended law. |
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Magistrate Cary's performance was so bad that the Colorado public defender's office filed three lawsuits against her stating that she determined defendants' bail in private chambers and failed to follow state laws requiring her to consider individual characteristics of each defendant. She then relied on an inaccurate interpretation of the Crime Victims' Rights Act to deny attorneys an opportunity to seek lower bail. Reported by the Denver Post, January 25, 2015, p. B1 & B8. |
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Publicly censured by Colorado Supreme Court for making advances to client and then refusing to withdraw from her case. Denver Post, March 28, 2007, p. 3B Rocky Mountain News, March 27, 2007 |
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Quashed valid service sua sponte because it was “Christmas time” and she didn't want defendant to lose by default. Her feelings transcended law. |
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Magistrate Slavin's performance was so bad that the Colorado public defender's office filed three lawsuits against him stating that he determined defendants' bail in private chambers and failed to follow state laws requiring him to consider individual characteristics of each defendant. He then relied on an inaccurate interpretation of the Crime Victims' Rights Act to deny attorneys an opportunity to seek lower bail. Reported by the Denver Post, January 25, 2015, p. B1 & B8. |
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Moved to juvenile court in September 2007 after being appointed by Gov. Ritter. |
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| DV Home | Abstract | Contents | Tables | Index | Bibliography |
| Chapter 7 — Colorado Judges — Citizen's Review |
| Next — Third Judicial District |
| Back — First Judicial District |
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