Fourth Judicial District — El Paso and Teller Counties
Fourth Judicial District — El Paso and Teller CountiesThis site is copyrighted, supported, and maintained by the Equal Justice Foundation.
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Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903
Information Number: (719) 448-7700
Facsimile: (719) 329-7046 (Colorado Springs)
Self help center for pro se litigants is in Room 101. Call (719) 452-5555 for appointment.
Facsimile (719) 689-2574 (Cripple Creek)
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.
Problem-solving courts are innovative criminal justice programs that seek rehabilitation over incarceration. The goal is to treat the underlying issues that lead to criminal behaviors, which have proven resistant to conventional solutions. The 4 th Judicial District as of October 2018 has five such courts:
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Not recommended for retention. Stepped down end of 2003 with full retirement benefits. |
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After a sheriff's deputy attempted to kill a farmer on his own property, Bain sentenced the farmer to four years in prison for attempting to defend himself from an obviously out-of-control deputy who was firing wildly. |
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Appointed district judge by Gov. Hickenlooper in October 2016. Prior to that he was in private practice. Before moving to Colorado in 2001 he served as an assistant U.S. attorney in Philadelphia and a trial attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice, Organized Crime & Racketeering Section, in Washington, D.C. |
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86% of attorneys voted to Retain but 11% voted Do Not Retain. Needs improvement. |
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Promoted to district judge by Gov. Hickenlooper in July 2015. Formerly county judge in Teller County and before that a magistrate. |
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Appointed county court judge in October 2011. Formerly a magistrate in 4th Judicial District. |
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Stood for retention in 2000. 88% Retain. Concerns about his ongoing lack of diligence and docket control. |
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Promoted to district judge in July 2015 by Gov. Hickenlooper. Formerly El Paso County magistrate. |
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Just 84% of attorneys voted to Retain, just below our cutoff of >85%. |
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A lesson in why litigants should make their own recordings of court proceedings. |
Retired July 20, 2007, to avoid an investigation into taking bribes. See Nov. 13, 2008, article in Know Your Courts. |
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Appointed district court judge in 2001. Acting district judge for probate from 1999 on. Appointed county court judge in 1987 and was Presiding Judge of County Court from 1987 to 1993. |
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Stood for retention in 2000. Only 71% of attorneys voted to retain. |
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See Galbraith appeal 08CA2353. February, 2006, Bromley began using powerful drugs. Side effects included: confusion, disorientation, agitation, decreased concentration, memory loss, behavioral changes, forgetfulness, impaired cognition, transient global amnesia, depression, mood swings, organic delusional syndrome, paranoia, and aggravation of pre- existing senility. By November, 2006, Bromley was so impaired that she no longer came to work regularly. She arranged with several other employees and other judges, to cover for her so she could continue receiving full-time salary and benefits while not earning them, a criminal felony under Colorado's Embezzlement of Public Funds statute. One arrangement made to cover up her impaired abilities was to allow her to conduct court proceedings without a court reporter or any Electronic Recording Operator present, contrary to accepted practices regarding use of electronic recordings in court proceedings. |
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Placed mother in jail for 3 days in July 2007 for talking to her daughter on the telephone. Also ordered mother to perform 100 hours of community service with Headstart. |
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Promoted district judge from magistrate by Gov. Hickenlooper effective January 2013. She was fair and impartial as a magistrate. |
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95% of attorneys voted to Retain with 5% voting Do Not Retain |
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Judge Chittum violated man's right to a fair and impartial jury by allowing woman to serve who stated she would hold the defendant's silence against him. |
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Retired January 2019. Not soon enough but somehow this woman remains a senior judge as of September 2020. |
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Biased and unfair in family issues particularly regarding paternity fraud. |
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Stood for retention in 2002. Just half of attorneys polled voted to retain. |
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90% of attorneys voted to Retain and only 6% voted to not retain. |
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Worked with a suicidal veteran suffering from PTSD to get him treatment after the veteran shot at the Sheriff's Bearcat armored vehicle when it came on his property. |
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Major general in Colorado National Guard and served as advisor in the Balkans. |
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(click here for a ruling as incoherent as you are likely to see, dated October 15, 2007) |
Ignoring res judicata and stare decisis, as well as Colorado statutes, in 2007 Crowder reopened this divorce case after 14 years and forced husband to provide life insurance with ex-wife, who has remarried, as beneficiary. Crowder also readjudicated ex-husband's military retirement pay to ex-wife's advantage 14 years after their divorce. Husband feared for his life with ex-wife sole beneficiary of a $400,000 life insurance policy (click here for transcript of 2007 hearing). In a rare show of common sense on November 13, 2008, the CO Court of Appeals, case 07CA 2295, reversed this decision. |
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Pioneered veteran courts in Colorado.and handled felony cases for veteran trauma court |
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Promoted district judge by Gov. Polis on July 16, 2019. This is a new position. Previously she was a magistrate in this district. |
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89% of attorneys voted to Retain and just 6% voted Do Not Retain. |
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A psychologist reported her extremely biased and prejudiced in two cases in April 2010, one family, one criminal. Screamed at defendant and his mother in another case in May 2010. An attorney reported that she is biased and ignorant of the law. |
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Promoted to district court judge by Gov. Polis on August 4, 2021 and stepped up to bench on October 8 th to replace Judge DuBois. Previously a county court judge in this district. |
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Appointed district court judge on March 12, 2021, by Gov. Polis. Previously a county court judge in this district. |
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This time just 67% of attorneys voted to Retain and 22% voted Do Not Retain. Clearly he is not improving! |
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Concerns regarding docket management and demeanor remain. See various comments about her on Clear The Bench. |
After less than 3 years as a county judge with a checkered record, Gov. Polis promoted her a district court judge effective July 1, 2022. |
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Appointed county court judge in 4 th Judicial District by Gov. Polis on August 29, 2019. Transferred back from Douglas County Court, 18 th Judicial District. |
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Promoted from magistrate in 4 th Judicial District to Douglas County court judge in 18 th Judicial District in February 2007. |
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Appointed by Gov. Ritter August 9, 2007. Former public defender and worked in private practice from 2004 until 2007. |
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Stood for retention in 2010. Very weak 75% of attorneys voted to retain. |
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Stood for retention in 2004. After 29 years on the bench only 74% of attorneys recommended he be retained. |
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On August 31, 2010, Hall had three bears executed, a mother and her two cubs, because the cubs knocked out a screen and came into his house. In bear country home owners are expected to better protect their homes against intrusion and his neglect cost three bears their lives. |
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Promoted to district court judge by Gov. Polis on May 2, 2020. Formerly a magistrate. |
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93% of attorneys voted to Retain while just 7% voted Do Not Retain. |
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Appointed district judge by Gov. Polis on March 20, 2019. Replaces Judge Hughes. Formerly a magistrate in this judicial district. |
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Just 85% of attorneys voted to Retain and 11% voted Do Not Retain. |
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Attorneys and defendants criticized him as being too harsh and abrupt. The EJF repeatedly had litigants complain about his irrational judgements. |
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Appointed district judge by Gov. Ritter May 2008. County judge from 1995 until 2008. Former 4 th Judicial District Attorney from 1989 through 1998. |
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Stood for retention in 2010. 90% Retain. But see performance reviews as a county judge where only 60-69% of attorneys voted for retention over 12 years. |
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Sentenced Marine Corps combat veteran to 1 year in jail because he objected to reading radical feminist hate literature during DV “treatment.” |
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Promoted to district judge in October 2019 by Governor Polis. Prior to beginning her term in January 2020, she was a magistrate. |
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82% of attorneys voted to Retain but 12% voted Do Not Retain. |
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89% of attorneys voted to Retain while 11% voted Do Not Retain. |
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Stepped down October 31, 2010, rather than face retention vote. |
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Appointed district judge by Gov. Owens in July 2002. Previously he was El Paso County Clerk. |
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Stood for retention in 2004. Only 79% of attorneys voted to retain. |
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Reports are he has shouted and screamed from the bench, should be taking anger management classes instead of sentencing people to them. Misapplies the law on a regular basis. Knowingly violates constitutional rights and then advises litigants of their option to appeal. |
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Stood for retention in 2002. 89% of attorneys voted for retention but the Colorado Springs Police Protective Association recommended he not be retained. Judicial Performance Commission recommended two year probation due to numerous credible complaints that he is not of proper judicial temperament. |
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Although 79% of attorneys voted to Retain previous experience does not suggest this judge should remain on the bench. |
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Failed to have prosecution witness sequestered. Then allowed her to be admitted as expert witness despite fact she only has a BA in social science, just 6 years experience as case worker with DHS, no publications, no honors, no supervisory, management, or teaching experience, and no résumé was presented. As an “expert witness” she was then allowed to present hearsay and gossip as sworn testimony. Nor had she interviewed father in this case. |
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Retired July 31, 2017, after 28 years on the bench. Remains a senior judge as of September 2020 to the dismay of citizens in the Filthy Fourth. |
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Reported to be biased and unfair in family issues. For one woman's view of how her divorce was handled by him click here. Her identity is hidden to reduce the chances of retaliation. |
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Appointed district court judge by Gov. Polis in March 2022 to replace G. David Miller. Formerly El Paso County Attorney and served on board for TESSA, Safe Passage, and the Ending Violence Against Women Program. |
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97% of attorneys voted to Retain with just 3% voting Do Not Retain. |
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Appointed by Gov. Hickenlooper to replace Theresa Cisneros in January 2019. Former public defender. |
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90% of attorneys voted to Retain and just 7% voted Do Not Retain. |
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Despite clear provisions of C.R.S. § 18-12-201 et seq., Art. II, § 13 of Colorado Constitution, and Amendment II of the federal Constitution Judge Miller arbitrarily dismissed suit brought against Regents of Univ. of Colorado that banned weapons and explosives on campuses despite multiple instances of assaults against which victims could not defend themselves. Court of Appeals overturned his decision and, in essence, told the judge, and Regents, to read and obey the law and Constitution. |
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Appointed district court judge on January 14, 2022, by Gov. Polis. Was a magistrate for a couple of years and before that in private practice. |
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Appointed by Gov. Owens in February 2006. Experience in civil litigation in private practice. No prior judicial experience. |
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This time 90% of attorneys voted to Retain and just 7% voted Do Not Retain. |
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Promoted to district court judge in November 2012. Was a county court judge from July 2009. Replaced Judge Kirk Samelson. Former deputy DA 1987-1989 for El Paso County. Came to the bench from private practice. |
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Some improvement this time with 83% of attorneys voting to Retain but 14% voted Do Not Retain. |
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Despite his lackluster performance as a District Judge, Gov. Polis promoted him to the Court of Appeals in November 2021. |
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In 2018 only 79% of attorneys voted to Retain while 13% voted Do Not Retain. His performance on the bench did not improve. |
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See Sgt. Jose Barco story on PBS documentary Wounded Platoon. |
In violation of the Eighth Amendment Schwartz sentenced veteran suffering from PTSD with no priors to 52 years in prison. The veteran had a 19-year-old wife and a new baby. |
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Promoted to district judge January 2009. Replaced Steven Pelican. |
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This time only 81% of attorneys voted to Retain while 10% voted Do Not Retain. Clearly his performance is worsening. |
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Appointed district judge in March 2003. Presides over the Veteran Trauma Court. |
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Only 79% of attorneys voted to Retain this time while 10% voted Do Not Retain. Problems with the veteran court have been observed by the EJF and reported to us by veterans. His performance is clearly declining as he received a 100% rating in 2006. |
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Appointed district court judge August 1, 2017, by Gov. HIckenlooper to replace Martinez. She was in private practice and has no prior judicial experience. |
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95% of attorneys voted to Retain with just 5% voting Do Not Retain. |
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Retired in 2003 after calling litigant in case he was hearing an overeducated nigger. |
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Lowest score of all 4th district judges reviewed in 2014. 2020 review major areas of concern: Arrogant, demeaning, inability to listen and lacks self-awareness. |
Appointed July 14, 2006. Formerly an attorney with State Farm Insurance. |
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In 2020 only 57% of attorneys voted to Retain while 38% voted Do Not Retain. Again he scored lowest in 4th Judicial District. |
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Attorneys overwhelmingly (94%) report that Judge Acker is either “very biased” or “somewhat biased” in favor of the prosecution. The Colorado Springs Gazette on October 8, 2018, published a scathing review of Judge Acker's behavior and performance. |
Voted off the bench in November 2018 and term ended January 2019. Samuel Evig replaced him. |
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Appointed county court judge in March 2003. Previously in private practice. |
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Stood for retention in 2006. Only 61% of attorneys recommended retention while 29% voted Do Not Retain. |
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Stood for retention in 2010. Again only 57% of attorneys voted to retain while a full 43% voted Do Not Retain. Pathetic! |
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Shows no signs of improvement with only 62% of attorneys voting to Retain. He was one of only two judges the Judicial Performance Commission found to not meet performance standards in 2018. The commission found him to be: “...a rigid or formulaic jurist who fails to provide the type of individualized attention and due process to which parties are entitled.” |
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On December 4, 2008, Acker was observed to grant a temporary protection order (TPO) to a woman, ~50, because her ex-boyfriend was leaving flowers on her car. He also had keys to her apartment but she had not bothered to change the locks for two months despite claiming to be in fear of him. In another case Acker granted a TPO to a female soldier whose veteran husband drank too much (PTSD?) and one day punched a wall after an argument. But, by her own admission, he did not touch her or make any threats toward her. Conversely, a request by a man for a TPO after his wife assaulted him, dislocated her daughter's shoulder, and sexually abused her son was denied. |
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Appointed county court judge July 14, 2022 by Gov. Polis to replace Judge Gomez. From 2006-2020, served as a Deputy State Public Defender. From 2020 until her appointment, she served as Supervising Deputy State Public Defender in Colorado Springs. |
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Stood for retention in 1998. Only 75% of attorneys favored retention. |
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Apparently she was still serving as a substitute judge as of 2011 where her performance has been rated as “despicable” by at least one attorney. |
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Promoted to district judge by Gov. Hickenlooper in July 2015. |
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Appointed county court judge in October 2011. Formerly a magistrate in 4th Judicial District. |
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Appointed county court judge in April 2020 by Gov. Polis. Replaced Lawrence Martin. Previously senior deputy district attorney in the 4 th Judicial District. |
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Promoted to county court judge in January 2019 by Gov. Hickenlooper. Formerly a magistrate. |
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88% of attorneys voted to Retain and only 6% voted Do Not Retain. |
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Stood for retention in 1998. Only 76% of attorneys favored retention. |
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Promoted to district court judge by Gov. Polis on August 4, 2021. |
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Appointed county court judge in January 2019 by Gov. Hickenlooper to replace Chris Acker. Prior to appointment he was in private practice but had served as prosecutor in 18 th Judicial District. |
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Appointed county court judge on October 23, 2021, by Gov. Polis. Replaced Judge Evig. Previously in private practice. |
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Promoted to District Court judge by Gov. Polis in April 2021. |
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Appointed county court judge by Gov. Hickenlooper in December 2012. Prior to that she was a magistrate in the 18 th Judicial District. |
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Indifferent to father's and grandmother's visitation rights for 2-year old child. Ignored evidence and insulted father. |
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Appointed county judge by Gov. Hickenlooper in March 2017. Replaces Judge Walker. Only prior experience is as a prosecutor and she was a chief deputy district attorney before her appointment. |
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95% of attorneys voted to Retain with just 5% voting Do Not Retain. |
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Concerns regarding docket management and demeanor remain. See various comments about her on Clear The Bench. |
After less than 3 years as a county judge with a checkered record, Gov. Polis promoted her a district court judge effective July 1, 2022. |
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Appointed county court judge in 4 th Judicial District by Gov. Polis on August 29, 2019. Transferred back from Douglas County Court, 18 th Judicial District. |
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Promoted from magistrate in 4 th Judicial District to Douglas County court judge in 18 th Judicial District in February 2007. |
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Hansen was only CO judge in 2012 rated as Do Not Retain by a Judicial Performance Review Commission This woman did not improve and should have been voted off the bench. But she retired in December 2020 rather than face another retention review. |
Did not stand for retention in 2020 and retired December 11, 2020. She is not missed! |
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In 2016 only 68% of attorneys voted to Retain and 18% voted Do Not Retain. The commission also noted that 61% of attorney found her biased toward the prosecution. |
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In court she appears to be gender biased against men and veterans in particular. |
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Promoted to district judge in May 2008 by Gov. Ritter. Died 2016. |
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Stood for retention in 1998. Only 69% of attorneys felt he should be retained. |
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Stood for retention in 2002. A pathetic 60% of attorneys recommended retention. |
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Stood for retention in 2006. Again only 65% of attorneys voted for retention. |
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Sentenced Marine Corps combat veteran to 1 year in jail because he objected to reading radical feminist hate literature during DV “treatment.” |
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Appointed county court judge in May 2021 by Gov. Polis. Replaced Judge Findorff. Previously a municipal judge and in private practice. |
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Appointed county court judge by Gov. Hickenlooper in August 2015. Prior to appointment she served with Colorado Springs Legal Services. Replaced Lin Billings-Veta |
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EJF recommendation: Do Not Retain Only a pathetic 64% of attorneys voted to Retain while a full 36% voted Do Not Retain. |
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Her performance was greatly improved and 89% of attorneys voted to Retain in this review, but 11% still voted Do Not Retain. |
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Stood for retention in 2002. Only 77% of attorneys voted to retain. |
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Stood for retention in 2006. Again only 78% of attorneys voted to retain. |
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Appointed county court judge on September 17, 2020, effective January 12, 2021, by Gov. Polis to replace Karla Hansen. Previously a magistrate where he presided over Child Support Court and responsible parent program. |
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Appointed by Gov. Polis on February 1, 2022 to replace Doug Miles. Previously in private practice and has served as deputy district attorney. |
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Appointed by Gov. Ritter September 2010. Former prosecutor and hardline DV advocate in that position. Presided over Domestic Violence Court. See comments here. |
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Promoted to county court judge by Gov. Hickenlooper in January 2019. Formerly a magistrate. |
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88% of attorneys voted to Retain while 12% voted Do Not Retain. |
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Stood for retention in 2004. Only 74% of attorneys apparently voted for retention. |
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Appointed county judge by Gov. Bill Ritter in July 2009. Replaced Judge James Patterson. Former deputy DA 1987-1989 for El Paso County. Came to the bench from private practice. |
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EJF recommendation: Do Not Retain Her performance drastically deteriorated. Only 70% of attorneys voted to Retain while 22% voted Do Not Retain |
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Shows improvement with 84% of attorneys voting to Retain this time. Still 11% voted Do Not Retain. |
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Did not stand for retention in 2018 and retired in January 2019 after more than 33 years on the bench. However, this dedicated man remains a senior judge as of September 2020. |
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Stood for retention in 1998. Only 79% of attorneys, 72% of law enforcement, just 68% of court personnel recommended retention |
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Stood for retention in 2002. A pathetic 73% of attorneys recommended he be retained. |
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Judge Walker was suspended with pay on November 8, 2016, for claims he “harassed” 3 female court employees after he was critical of their job performance. He was also charged with altering plea agreements, retaliation, and failure to recuse himself. He retired in February 2017 with pay rather than face a disciplinary hearing. |
Served with Army Special Forces in Vietnam and Laos. Apparently it is now possible for complaints by feminist's about job performance to force a judge from the stand. Ironically, Walker is a feminist sympathizer. |
Retired in February 2017 rather than face disciplinary hearing |
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Appointed by Gov. Bill Ritter in May 2007 to replace Manzanares. Former public defender and member of CO DV offender management board. |
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80% of attorneys voted to Retain but 15% voted Do Not Retain |
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Her performance was weak from the start and got worse with time. |
Did not stand for retention in 2018 and stepped down in January 2019. Unfortunately, this mediocrity remains a senior judge as of September 2020. |
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Promoted to county judge in 2008. Former magistrate. Presided over DUI Court. |
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Stood for retention in 2010. Very weak 73% of attorneys voted to retain. |
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Promoted to county judge in Teller County in October 2011 and then to district judge in July 2015. |
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No longer on bench as of October 2022. Presided over the Recovery Court . |
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Appointed magistrate in El Paso County in February 2011. Former senior deputy district attorney. |
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Fair and patient with citizens. Seeks solutions to problems brought before her. Extensive experience with DV cases and carefully considers facts and testimony. |
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Promoted to county court judge in January 2019 by Gov. Hickenlooper |
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Promoted to district court judge on July 16, 2019 bu Gov. Polis. |
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Warned defendants in DV cases that they will lose their Constitutional rights if they accept a plea bargain. |
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Promoted to Douglas County (18 th Judicial District) judge in February 2007. Then transferred back to 4 th Judicial District at county judge in August 2019. |
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No longer on bench as of June 2000. Heard to remark that he could visit Vail and golf at the expense of a ward of the court. Under his direction one trust fund was swindled out of more than $250,000. See problems with probate courts. |
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Promoted to county court judge on September 17, 2020, by Gov. Polis. Presided over Child Support Court and responsible parent program. |
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Promoted to county court judge by Gov. Hickenlooper in January 2019. |
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Promoted to district judge January 2009. Replaces Steven Pelican. |
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Cares little about impact on citizens and, particularly, military. |
Handles domestic violence cases in El Paso County. Hands out protection orders like tissue paper at the rate of one a minute, but only to females. Doesn't seek solutions, simply punishment. A number of cases have been reported where the audio recordings of hearings in his court are “inaudible.” |
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Even with felony charges of bigamy and forgery against his wife, Trujillo refused to grant a soldier a protection order against her. |
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El Paso County. Presides over Family Treatment Drug Court. |
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