Seventeenth Judicial District — Adams and Broomfield Counties

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Adams County Justice Center

1100 Judicial Center Drive

Brighton, Colorado 80601

Telephone: (303) 659-1161 — Main number

Facsimile: (303) 654-3216 (District judges)

Broomfield County Court

17 Des Combes Drive

Broomfield, Colorado 80020

Telephone: (720) 887-2100

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 court

Veterans Trauma Court

 
    Table 32: Seventeenth Judicial District Judges and Magistrates

Name of Judge

Telephone

Case Links

Comments

 

District Judges

Emily Elizabeth Anderson

former Chief Judge

Division T

 

Did not stand for retention in 2022 and resigned on January 23, 2021 after just 1 1/2 years on job.

 

Promoted from magistrate by Gov. Hickenlooper in January 2014.

Stood for retention in 2016.

EJF recommendation: 94% Retain

Harlan R. Bockman

 

No longer on bench as of July 2009. Back to private practice.

 

Appointed district court judge October 1976.

Stood for retention in 2002. 84+% Retain.

07CV650

In the case of James Disher Judge Bockman held that sex is a necessary element of establishing that a relationship is intimate under domestic violence statute . Prosecution appealed and CO Supreme Court granted certiorari on April 21, 2008.

 

Using public funds CCADV and COVA filed amicus curiae briefs to ensure any man who knows a woman even casually can be convicted of domestic violence.

07SC1088

On February 16, 2010, the Colorado Supreme Court reversed the district court and held that evidence of a sexual relationship is not necessary to establish the existence of an intimate relationship.

Jaclyn Casey Brown

 

Promoted to Court of Appeals by Gov. Polis in June 2019.

 

Appointed district court judge by Gov. Hickenlooper July 1, 2016. Previously in private practice.

Stood for retention in 2018. 97% Retain.

EJF recommendation: Retain

John T. Bryan

 

Did not stand for retention in 2010, term expired January 2011.

C. Scott Crabtree

Division: C

 

Stepped down from bench June 1, 2016.

 

Appointed to bench in July 2001.

Stood for retention in 2004. 89% Retain.

Stood for retention in 2010. 87% Retain.

Tomee Crespin

Division G

 

Does not treat those appearing before her with respect, her courtroom is not conducted in a neutral manner, and her rulings of law were not consistent.

 

Voted off the bench November 3, 2020, and stepped down on January 12, 2021, when her term ended. Good riddance!

 

Appointed district court judge by Gov. Hickenlooper in January 2017. Replaced Judge Straus. Formerly in private practice.

Stood for retention in 2020.

EJF recommendation: Do Not Retain

49% Retain, 33% Do Not Retain

One of only two judges the commission found who did not meet standards, finding that she treated attorneys and parties appearing before her in a demeaning and disrespectful manner.

Caryn A. Datz

Division D

(303) 654-3280

 

Appointed district court judge by Gov. Hickenlooper in August 2017. Replaced Judge Ensor. Formerly, a prosecutor with the 20 th Judicial District Attorney's Office and head of the sex assault unit.

Stood for retention in 2020.

EJF recommendation: High-end marginal

85% of attorneys voted to Retain and just 8% voted Do Not Retain.

Katherine R. Delgado

Division: S

(303) 654-3281

 

Appointed to bench in July 2002.

Stood for retention in 2004. 92% Retain

Stood for retention in 2010. 89% Retain.

Stood for retention again in 2016.

EJF recommendation: 100% Retain

Attorney Peter C. Lomtevas filed formal complaint against Delgado on October 25, 2008, noting, among other problems, that the judge testified from the bench and allowed unsworn testimony. Further, she advocated for one of the parties; and offered psychological analysis from the bench.

Thomas R. Ensor

Division: F

 

Consistently rated very weak by attorneys.

 

Judge Ensor's actions, including displaying naked skin, physically touching and rubbing of his chest on a woman's back, and inappropriate commentary, was one of several judges whose misconduct was detailed in a two-page memo that is at the center of a judicial scandal.

 

Retired in September 2018 but remained a senior judge until fired by Colorado Supreme Court Justice Boatright on June 1, 2021.

 

Appointed in 1984.

Stood for retention in 1998.

Stood for retention in 2004. Only 75% of attorneys recommended he be retained.

Stood for retention in 2010. Only 75% of attorneys recommended he be retained.

Stood for retention again in 2016.

EJF recommendation: 16% Do Not Retain

2020SC853

Colorado Supreme Court reversed a man's convictions because Judge Ensor violated his Sixth Amendment right to hire a different defense lawyer.

Sean Finn

Division B — Broomfield

(303) 464-5050

 

Appointed district judge by Gov. Hickenlooper in February 2018. Formerly chief trial deputy in Boulder County District Attorney's Office.

Stood for retention in 2020.

EJF recommendation: Retain

88% of attorneys voted to Retain and just 8% voted Do Not Retain.

 

F. Michael Goodbee

 

Retired July 1, 2019

 

Appointed July 2008.

Stood for retention in 2010. 94% Retain.

Stood for retention in 2016. 100% Retain.

EJF recommendation: Retain

Sharon D. Holbrook

Division A — Broomfield

303-464-5054

 

Promoted to district judge in October 2016 by Gov. Hickenlooper. Previously a magistrate.

Stood for retention in 2018.

EJF recommendation: 100% Retain

100% of attorneys voted to Retain.

Robert W. Kiesnowski, Jr.

Division Q

303-654-3514

 

Appointed by Governor Bill Ritter, effective January 1, 2011.

Stood for retention in 2014. 84% Retain

EJF recommendation: Marginal

Stood for retention in 2020.

EJF recommendation: Marginal

83% of attorneys voted to Retain but 13% voted Do Not Retain.

 

Gives bad advice to Jury. Frequently overturned on appeal because of that.

Priscilla J. Loew

Division L

(303) 654-3259

 

Promoted to district judge by Gov. Hickenlooper in May 2017 to replace Judge Popovich. Former magistrate and before that a senior deputy district attorney in the 2 nd Judicial District.

Stood for retention in 2020.

EJF recommendation: Marginal

Only 77% of attorneys voted to Retain while 14% voted Do Not Retain.

Donald W. Marshall, Jr.

 

No longer on bench as of July 2009

Emily Lieberman

Division B — Adams

(303) 654-3249

 

Appointed district court judge by Gov. Polis on July 25, 2020. Previously she was a public defender.

Stood for retention in 2022.

EJF recommendation: Retain

96% of attorneys voted to Retain with 4% voting Do Not Retain.

Brett Martin

Division K

303-654-3257

 

Appointed district court judge on January 13, 2021, by Gov. Polis to replace Judge Crespin. Previously Chief Trial Deputy, 17 th Judicial District Attorney's Office

Rayna Gokli McIntyre

Division E

(303) 654-3260

 

Appointed district court judge by Gov. Polis on May 31, 2019. Previously she was deputy district attorney.

Stood for retention in 2022.

EJF recommendation: Marginal

Just 79% of attorneys voted to Retain while remaining 21% voted Do Not Retain.

Chris Melonakis

Broomfield

Division B

 

Retired in September 2014.

 

Appointed to bench in 1998.

Stood for retention in 2000. 90% Retain.

Stood for retention in 2006. 92% Retain.

Stood for retention in 2012.

EJF recommendation: Retain.91%

Edward C. Moss

 

Retired August 15, 2020.

 

Appointed by Gov. Bill Owens in June 2004.

Stood for retention in 2006. 92% Retain.

Stood for retention in 2012.

EJF recommendation: 83% Marginal

Stood for retention in 2018. 76% Retain.

EJF recommendation: Marginal

Patrick T. Murphy

former Chief Judge

 

Retired July 15, 2019.

 

Appointed district court judge in 2008 and became chief judge in 2014.

Stood for retention in 2010.

EJF recommendation: Do Not Retain

71% Retain, 29% Do Not Retain.

Stood for retention in 2016. 85% Retain.

EJF recommendation: Marginal

C. Vincent Phelps

former chief judge

 

Retired in January 2014.

 

Appointed to bench in February 1996.

Stood for retention in 1998. Not rated.

Stood for retention in 2004. 93% Retain

Stood for retention in 2010. 94% Retain.

John E. Popovich, Jr.

 

Retired in May 2017.

 

Appointed in 1986.

Stood for retention in 2002. 89% Retain.

Stood for retention in 2008. 88% Retain.

Stood for retention in 2014.

EJF recommendation: 100% Retain

Patrick H. Pugh

Division M

(303) 654-3349

 

Appointed district court judge by Gov. Polis on May 31, 2019. Previously he was in private practice.

Stood for retention in 2022.

EJF recommendation: Marginal

82% of attorneys voted to Retain but remaining 18% voted Do Not Retain.

Donald S. Quick

Chief Judge

Division T

303-654-3550

 

Appointed to bench in December 2014 by Gov. Hickenlooper after losing race for state attorney general. Served as 17 th Judicial District Attorney from 2005 through 2013.

Stood for retention in 2018.

EJF recommendation: Marginal

Hasn't quite made the transition to an impartial jurist and only 76% of attorneys voted to Retain while 21% voted Do Not Retain.

Roberto Ramirez

Division F

 

Lt. Col. in USAFR

(303) 654-3240

 

Appointed district judge by Gov. Hickenlooper in February 2017. Replaced Judge Welling. Formerly Senior Assistant Attorney for City of Arvada.

Stood for retention in 2020.

EJF recommendation: Do Not Retain

Only a pathetic 63% of attorneys voted to Retain while 19% voted Do Not Retain.

Kyle Seedorf

Division W

(303) 654-3546

 

Appointed district court judge by Gov. Polis on January 1, 2020. Previously he was in private practice.

Stood for retention in 2022.

EJF recommendation: Retain

87% of attorneys voted to Retain and only 10% voted Do Not Retain.

Jeffrey Smith

Division G

(303) 654-3250

 

Appointed district court judge by Gov. Polis May 31, 2019. Previously in private practice.

Stood for retention in 2022.

EJF recommendation: Retain

96% of attorneys voted to Retain with just 4% voting Do Not Retain.

Jill-Elyn Straus

Division: S

 

One of only two judges not recommended for retention in 2016 by the judicial review commission and she was only judge voted off the bench that year.

 

Citizens voted her off the bench in November 2016 election.

 

Appointed to bench in April 2008.

Stood for retention in 2010. 97% Retain.

Stood for retention again in 2016.

EJF recommendation: Do Not Retain

Only a pitiful 41% of attorneys voted to Retain while a full 50% voted Do Not Retain. Commission found problems with her demeanor, fairness, and communications.

Ted C. Tow III

Division A

Adams County

 

Promoted to Court of Appeals by Gov. Hickenlooper in January 2018.

 

Appointed district judge in the fall of 2010.

Stood for retention in 2014.

EJF recommendation: Retain

90% of attorneys voted to Retain but only 57% of non-attorneys voted the same, an astonishingly low rating by the public.

Teri L. Vasquez

Division C — Adams

303-654-3260

 

Appointed district court judge on January 13, 2021, by Gov. Polis. She replaced Judge Anderson. Previously in private practice.

John J. Vigil

 

Retired in spring of 2004.

Mark Douglas Warner

Division: A — Adams

(303) 654-3290

 

Appointed September 19, 2005

Stood for retention in 2008. 89% Retain.

Stood for retention in 2014. 87% Retain

EJF recommendation: Retain

Stood for retention in 2020.

EJF recommendation: Marginal

This time just 75% of attorneys voted to Retain and 19% voted Do Not Retain. Quite a drop in his performance from previous two reviews.

Francis C. Wasserman

Division: L

 

Retired in October 2016

 

Appointed June 7, 2005.

Stood for retention in 2008. 93% Retain.

Stood for retention in 2014.

EJF recommendation: 30% Do Not Retain, only 65% Retain

His performance greatly declined.

Craig Welling

Division Q

 

Promoted to Court of Appeals by Gov. Hickenlooper in January 2017.

 

Appointed district judge by Gov. Ritter in late 2010 and he stepped up to the bench in 2011.

Stood for retention in 2014.

EJF recommendation: 93%Retain

Top

County Judges

Amy E. Bockman

Broomfield County

 

Retired on March 15, 2021.

 

Appointed in 2006 by Gov. Owens.

Previously magistrate in 2 nd Judicial District.

Replaced Randall J. Davis.

Stood for retention in 2010. Only 78% of attorneys voted Retain, 22% Do Not Retain.

Stood for retention in 2014.

EJF recommendation: 18% Do Not Retain, 65% Retain. Getting worse!

Stood for retention again in 2018.

EJF recommendation: 73% Sub-Marginal

Brian N. Bowen

Adams County

 

Retired on April 29, 2022.

 

Promoted from magistrate to county court judge in 2011.

Stood for retention in 2014.

EJF recommendation: 15% Do Not Retain, 65% Retain.

Stood for retention again in 2018.

EJF recommendation: 73% Marginal

Cindy H. Bruner (Atty)

 

Retired in July 2009 but as of September 2020 remains a senior judge.

 

Appointed county court judge in April 1991.

Stood for retention in 2002. 100% Retain.

Stood for retention in 2006. 91% Retain.

Michael A. Cox (Atty)

Adams County

 

Retired on July 2, 2021.

 

Appointed to bench in January 1995.

Stood for retention in 1998.

Stood for retention in 2002. 80% Retain.

Given very poor rating in Oct. 13, 2002 Rocky Mountain News article.

Stood for retention in 2006. 97% Retain.

Stood for retention in 2010. 94% Retain.

Stood for retention in 2014.

EJF recommendation: 93% Retain

Stood for retention again in 2018.

EJF recommendation: 80% Marginal

Cindy Hoang-Ha Thi Dang

Adams County

 

Scored very low communication and demeanor.

 

This woman was obviously not able to make the transition to an impartial jurist.

 

Resigned on June 25, 2022.

 

Appointed county court judge by Gov. Hickenlooper in June 2013. Previously GAL, CFI, and deputy DA in Colorado Springs.

Magistrate in Division K from 2013 to 2016.

Stood for retention belatedly in 2018.

EJF recommendation: Do Not Retain

19% Retain 65% Do Not Retain

Randall J. Davis (Atty)

Broomfield County

 

No longer on bench as of February 2007.

Amanda DeWick

Broomfield County

Division 1

303-464-5053

 

Appointed county court judge by Gov. Polis on April 2, 2021. Replaced Judge Bockman. Previously in private practice.

Courtney Dinnel

Adams County

Division 3

303-654-3550

 

Appointed county court judge by Gov. Polis on June 23, 2021. Previously in private practice.

Robert S. Doyle

Adams County

Division: 5

 

Retired July 2016.

 

Promoted to county court judge in June 2004. Formerly a magistrate.

Stood for retention in 2006. 97% Retain.

Stood for retention in 2010.

Only 73% Retain, 27% Do Not Retain

Stood for retention in 2014.

EJF recommendation: 83% Marginal

Martin J. Flaum II

Adams County

Division 6

(303) 654-3380

 

Appointed county court judge by Gov. Hickenlooper in June 2016. Formerly senior lead deputy district attorney.

Stood for retention in 2020.

EJF recommendation: Retain

92% of attorneys voted to Retain while just 4% voted Do Not Retain.

Byron Lynn Howell

Adams County

Division: 7

 

This man has done a decade of damage to Colorado citizens and it is time for him to go!

(303) 654-3330

Did not stand for retention in 2022. Term ends January 10, 2023.

 

Appointed to bench July 2008

Stood for retention in 2010.

Only a pathetic 71% of attorneys voted to retain, 29% voted Do Not Retain

Stood for retention in 2014.

EJF recommendation: 25% Do Not Retain, 58% Retain. Pathetic, and getting worse!

Stood for retention in 2018. 66% Retain.

EJF recommendation: Do Not Retain

66% Retain, 26% Do Not Retain

Marques Ivey

Adams County

Division 2

303-654-3340

 

Appointed county court judge by Gov. Polis on April 15, 2022. Previously in private practice. Also served on Aurora School Board.

Madoche Jean

Adams County

Division 7

303-654-3530

 

Appointed county court judge by Gov. Polis on December 8, 2020. Previously in private practice but also had served as deputy district attorney in 20 th Judicial District.

Lara M. Jimenez

Adams County

 

 

Promoted to county court judge by Gov. Polis on August 2, 2022, to be effective January 9, 2023. Previously a magistrate.

Leroy Kirby

Adams County

Division: 8

(303) 654-3535

 

Appointed county court judge July 2009.

Stood for retention in 2012.

EJF recommendation: Retain 99%

Stood for retention in 2016. 86% Retain

EJF recommendation: Retain

Stood for retention in 2020.

EJF recommendation: Retain

89% of attorneys voted to Retain and 11% voted Do Not Retain.

Dianna R. Marquez

Adams County

 

No longer on bench as of February 2007

Joshua T. Nowak

Adams County

Division 5

303-654-3320

 

Appointed county court judge by Gov. Polis on August 5, 2022. Previously in private practice.

Emil A. Rinaldi

Adams County

 

No longer on bench as of February 2007. Given very poor rating in Oct. 13, 2002 Rocky Mountain News article.

Sabino E. Romano

Adams County

 

Stepped down on November 1, 2020.

 

Appointed Adams County Judge in 1986.

Magistrate in Arapahoe County 1983-1986.

Stood for retention in 1998.

Stood for retention in 2002. 93% Retain.

Stood for retention in 2006. 92% Retain.

Stood for retention in 2010. 99% Retain.

Stood for retention in 2014.

EJF recommendation: 97% Retain

Stood for retention again in 2018.

EJF recommendation: 96% Retain

Jeffrey L. Romeo

Adams County

 

Did not stand for retention in 2016 and retired January 1, 2017. But remains a senior judge as of September 2020.

 

Appointed to bench in 1990.

Stood for retention in 2000. Not rated.

Stood for retention in 2004. 92% Retain.

Stood for retention in 2008. 85% Retain.

Stood for retention in 2012.

EJF recommendation: Retain 88% Retain

Diana R Roybal

 

Attorneys clearly thought she got worse rather than better over time.

 

If we hadn't lowered our standards in 2018 this judge would have been rated Do Not Retain for the third time

 

She finally retired on July 2, 2020, to citizens great relief.

 

Appointed to bench December 2002.

Stood for retention in 2006. 80% Retain.

Stood for retention in 2010.

In 2010 only 54% of attorneys voted to retain, 48% of attorneys voted Do Not Retain.

 

Stood for retention in 2014.

EJF recommendation: Do Not Retain

Somehow she managed to do even worse than in 2010 with only 44% of attorneys voting to Retain while 40% voted Do Not Retain.

 

Stood for retention in 2018. 74% Retain.

EJF recommendation: Sub-Marginal

Mariana Vielma

Adams County

Division: 4

(303) 654-3360

 

Promoted to county court judge by Gov. Jared Polis on July 17, 2020, to fill vacancy created by the welcome departure of Roybal. Previously she was a magistrate.

Stood for retention in 2022.

EJF recommendation: Retain

95% of attorneys voted to Retain with none dissenting.

Top

Magistrates

Emily E. Anderson

 

Promoted to district judge in January 2014.

Gregory P. Beacom

 

No longer on bench as of October 2022.

Jonathan Bley

 

No longer on bench as of September 2012.

David Blackett

 

No longer on bench as of October 2022.

Brian N. Bowen

 

Promoted to county court judge in 2011.

John T. Bryan

 

No longer on bench as of September 2012.

Rachel Catt

Division B 1

303-654-3255

 

 

Janis E. Chapman

 

No longer on bench as of February 2007

Laurie A. Clark

 

Promoted to juvenile court judge in 2 nd Judicial District by Gov. Hickenlooper in November 2013.

Cindy Hoang-Ha Thi Dang

Adams County

 

Promoted to county court judge in June 2016 where she was a disaster.

Robert S. Doyle

District

 

Promoted to county court judge in June 2004.

Stephen R. Fatzinger

 

No longer on the bench as of September 2020.

Melanie A Gilbert

 

No longer on bench as of September 2012.

Sharon D. Holbrook

Division D2

 

Promoted to district judge in October 2016 by Gov. Hickenlooper.

Lara M. Jimenez

Division R 2

303-654-3238

Promoted to county court judge by Gov. Polis on August 2, 2022, effective January 9, 2023.

Leviy Johnson

Division R

303-654-3370

 

 

Phelicia Kossie

Division: R

303-654-3291

 

 

Bryon Large

 

No longer on bench as of October 2022.

Priscilla Loew

 

Promoted to district judge by Gov. Hickenlooper in May 2017.

Michal Lord-Blegen

Division D 2

303-654-3268

 

 

Michelle Martinez-Thomas

 

Promoted to county court judge by Mayor Hancock January 16, 2020.

Simon Mole

 

No longer on bench as of September 2014.

Shannon O'Connor

Division R 3

303-654-3508

 

 

Sara Price

Division T 1

303-654-3575

 

 

Ashley Ratliff

Division K 1

303-654-3284

 

 

Andre A. Rudolph

 

Became county judge in 2 nd Judicial District in September 2004.

Jacque Russell

Broomfield Division C

303-464-5036

 

 

Frances Simonet

 

Promoted to county court judge in the 2nd Judicial District (Denver) in August 2017.

Peter Stapp

Division: B1

 

No longer on bench as of October 2018.

Kelley R. Southerland

Division D 1

303-654-3268

 

 

Merna A. Thane

 

No longer on bench as of February 2007

Bradley Varmo

Division H

303-654-3244

 

 

Mariana Vielma

 

Promoted to county court judge by Gov. Polis on July 17, 2020.

Kristan K. Wheeler

 

Promoted to Jefferson County Court Judge by Gov. Polis on July 1,2021.

Top


 

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Last modified 10/14/22