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The Twenty-Third Judicial District was created in January 2025 by moving judges from Douglas, Elbert, and Lincoln Counties out of the Eighteenth Judicial District and into the new district.
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.
For questions about the Recovery Court (Adult Drug Court), Veteran Trauma Court, or Wellness Court (Mental Health Court) please call 303-705-6784.
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EJF has reservations as she teaches gender-based violence seminars and is likely gender biased. |
Appointed district judge by Gov. Hickenlooper in April 2012. Formerly chief deputy district attorney in Denver. |
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95% of attorneys voted to Retain while none voted Do Not Retain. |
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As a magistrate in the 1st Judicial District she insulted and screamed at a father, a U.S. Marshall, refused to look at the previous court record with vital evidence, endorsed her own parenting skills because she had read Dr. Spock, and threatened to terminate the father's custody rights because “she can.” |
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Promoted to district court judge by Gov. Polis effective August 1, 2023. Previously she was a county court judge for about a year. |
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This woman was a family court judge while on the bench. The Court of Appeals has also demanded a review of a case where Judge Chase revoked the parental rights of a father and mother. In another case Judge Chase cited a woman with four contempt-of-court citations for speaking out about the rulings in her case. The woman has been incarcerated since Aug. 31, 2020, and is not scheduled for release until December 2021. These may not be the total charges against Judge Chase and further judicial discipline may be brought against her. A few months after she resigned she became a municipal judge in tiny Deer Trail and a traffic referee in Fort Collins. |
Resigned April 20, 2021 after admitting to using a racial slur in front of court employees, voicing her opinion on racial issues from the bench, and asking employees to do personal tasks for her during work hours. On May 31, 2021, Ms. Chase filed an appeal of her dismissal stating she was forced to resign and accept public censure as a result of “judicial wilding.” While the EJF can find no definition for this term, she claims it is an inherently unfair proceeding that lacks due process. Also, she claims she was treated far more harshly than male judges. |
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EJF recommendation: Do Not Retain Only 64% of attorneys voted to Retain and 27% voted Do Not Retain. |
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The Court of Appeals found Judge Chase should have upheld a challenge to the prosecution's dismissal of two jurors of color. Prosecutors did not seek to excuse a white woman who had provided similar answers during jury selection, and Judge Chase had improperly interjected her own non-racial justification for excusing the jurors of color. |
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On July 8, 2021, the Colorado Court of Appeals reversed a contempt finding against an attorney by Judge Chase that claimed he had no right to advise his client to take the Fifth Amendment while testifying. She also claimed the attorney was obligated to disclose his private conversations with his client. For the first time in Colorado, the Court of Appeals addressed whether witnesses have the right, on a question-by-question basis, to receive advice from counsel about self-incrimination. For the preservation of liberty and freedom, the Court of Appeals decided they do. |
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Appointed district judge by Gov. Hickenlooper in February 2011. No prior judicial experience. |
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Appointed district court judge by Gov. Hickenlooper effective July 1, 2015. In private practice prior to appointment. |
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One of only two judges Judicial Performance Commission found who Does Not Meet Performance Standards in 2018. Only a pitiful 44% of attorneys voted to Retain while a matching 44% voted Do Not Retain. |
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Appointed district court judge by Gov. Polis effective July 1, 2023. Previously he was a magistrate in Douglas County. |
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Retired January 1, 2016, and probate court reforms demanded after his mishandling of many cases. |
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Appointed district court judge on June 3, 2022, by Gov. Polis. Effective July 1,2022. Replaces Judge Stevens. Previously in private practice. |
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Just 81% of attorneys voted to Retain, while 11% voted Do Not Retain. |
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Decided to “retire” April 6, 2015, after he was implicated in a March watchdog.org article for not providing sufficient oversight in several ongoing receivership cases. |
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87% of attorneys voted to Retain while 13% voted Do Not Retain. |
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Appointed district court judge by Gov. Polis on March 3, 2023. He was previously in private practice. |
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Stepped down or retired in September 2018 and did not stand for retention. |
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Appointed district court judge by Gov. Polis on November 23, 2019. This is a new position. |
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Appointed district court judge by Gov. Polis effective January 10, 2023. She was formerly a magistrate. |
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Appointed district court judge by Gov. Polis effective January 10, 2023. Previously he was Assistant Chief Counsel for the Department of Homeland Security. |
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Retired July 2018.but remains a senior judge as of September 2020. |
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Appointed district court judge in August 1987 and chief judge in August 2002. |
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Did not stand for retention in 2024 and is stepping down from the bench in August 2024 presumably to pursue his acting career. |
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Appointed district court judge on June 3, 2021, by Gov. Polis. Replaces Judge Chase and was effective immediately. Previously in private practice. |
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Did not stand for retention in 2004 and term ended January 11, 2005. |
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EJF experience with Judge Mares suggests she is a poor judge in domestic relations. |
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Appointed district court judge by Gov. Hickenlooper in May 2018. Previously she was an associate judge on the Aurora Municipal Court. Replaced Judge King. |
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EJF recommendation: Do Not Retain Only a pathetic 56% of attorneys voted to Retain while 35% voted Do Not Retain. |
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Did not stand for retention in 2022. Term ended January 10, 2023. |
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EJF recommendation: Do Not Retain Only 55% of attorneys voted Retain, while 33% voted Do Not Retain. |
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Presiding Judge for Domestic Relations and Juvenile Dockets and Problem Solving Courts |
Promoted to district court judge by Gov. Hickenlooper in September 2014 and took the bench on January 13, 2015. Formerly a magistrate. |
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Again 85% of attorneys voted to Retain while 10% voted Do Not Retain. |
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Attorney Mark Cohen filed a complaint with the Colorado Commission on Judicial Discipline against Judge Michaelson in April, 2024, after the judge told Cohen to bring a toothbrush to court so that he'd be more comfortable in jail. |
Did not stand for retention in 2024 and term will end in January 2025. |
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Promoted to district judge in November 2015. Previously Custer County judge in the 11 th Judicial District. |
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Did not stand for retention in 2008. Term ended January 2009. |
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Retired in January 2009 after not standing for retention in 2008. Not soon enough. |
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Appointed district judge in April 2000 after serving as district magistrate. |
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Extreme gender bias against men reported from several sources but also see report by woman stating that Rice has been rude, sarcastic and just plain mean. Courthouse Forum reports that Rice is both male gender, economic, and disability biased and consistently violates constitutional law. |
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Retired May 31, 2012. after 20 years in the Air Force and 27 years on the bench. |
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Promoted to Colorado Supreme Court by Gov. Hickenlooper effective July 2, 2018. |
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Appointed district court judge in 2006 and stepped up to bench in 2007. |
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Judge Scipione was further censured on May 6, 2024, by the Colorado Supreme Court after his misconduct resulted in a pair of sexual harassment settlements that cost the state $130,000. |
Resigned in disgrace on January 21, 2023, after admitting an affair with a court clerk, sexual harassment of others, and an attempt to influence a court case in another jurisdiction. |
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Promoted District Court Judge by Gov. Hickenlooper in September 2018. Prior to that he was a county court judge and prior to that he was a magistrate. |
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Appointed district court judge by Gov. Polis effective December 1, 2023. Previously she was an Assistant Federal Public Defender for the Districts of Colorado and Wyoming, |
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Promoted to district court judge by Gov. Polis on September 9, 2020. Previously he was an Arapahoe County judge. |
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Only 71% of attorneys voted to Retain while 21% voted Do Not Retain. |
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Ruled on basis of emotions and feelings and suppressed confession of murderess because she became emotionally distraught when she found out her victim was dead. |
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Promoted to district court judge by Gov. Hickenlooper in July 2018. Formerly a county court judge. Replaces Judge Samour. |
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86% of attorneys voted to Retain while 10% voted Do Not Retain. |
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Did not stand for retention in 2022 and her term ended January 10, 2023. |
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Her performance has deteriorated and only 77% of attorneys voted to Retain this time while 20% voted Do Not Retain. |
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Appointed district court judge by Gov. Hickenlooper in November 2015. Prior to that she was in private practice. |
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93% of attorneys voted to Retain and just 7% voted Do Not Retain. |
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Promoted to district court judge by Gov. Polis on September 3, 2019. Previously combined court magistrate. |
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83% of attorneys voted to Retain but 17% voted Do Not Retain. |
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Appointed district court judge by Gov. Polis on February 11, 2021. Previously he was a deputy district attorney in the 18 th Judicial District. |
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Only 54% of attorneys voted to Retain while 38% voted Do Not Retain. |
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Did not stand for retention in 2016 and retired January 2017. |
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Promoted to county court judge by Gov. Polis on January 4, 2024. She was a magistrate previously. |
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Promoted to district court judge by Gov. Polis effective July 1, 2023. |
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Appointed county court judge by Gov. Polis on June 2, 2022, and stepped up to the bench on July 1 st . Previously she was a public defender. |
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Did not stand for retention in 2016 and retired January 2017. |
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Appointed county court judge by Gov. Polis effective June 1, 2024. Previously he was Municipal Court Judge for City of Edgewater and in private practice. |
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Did not stand for retention in 2016 and stepped down from bench in January 2017. |
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Promoted to county court judge by Gov. Hickenlooper in September 2016. Previously a magistrate. |
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She improved with 83% of attorneys voting to Retain this time, but 8% still voted Do Not Retain. |
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Promoted to district court judge in 1 st Judicial District in November 2023 by Gov. Polis. |
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Appointed county court judge by Gov. Hickenlooper in August 2018. Previously she was Senior Deputy Public Defender for the State Public Defender in Golden |
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Stepped down in 2012 to run for 18 th Judicial District Attorney. |
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Stood for retention in 2010. 90% Retain. Reports are that this judge is polite, fair and faithful to the law. |
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Transferred back to 4 th Judicial District as an El Paso County Judge. |
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Promoted from magistrate in 4 th Judicial District in February 2007. |
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Appointed Arapahoe County judge by Gov. Polis on November 16, 2020. Previously a part-time magistrate in the 2 nd Judicial District. |
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Only a bare 72% of attorneys voted to Retain while 20% voted Do Not Retain. |
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Appointed county court judge in October 1985. Prior to that he was a deputy district attorney. |
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Retain with reservations about docket timeliness. Starts court up to 1 hour late. |
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Attorneys noted problems with demeanor, promptly issuing decisions, application and knowledge of the law, communications, and diligence. |
Appointed county court judge by Gov. Hickenlooper June 3, 2016. Prior to that she was a Senior Deputy District Attorney. |
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Again just a pathetic 63% of attorneys voted to Retain, while 38% voted Do Not Retain. |
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She is reported to be understanding, caring, fair, and adheres to the law. However, 98% of repeat DUI offenders before her are sentenced to jail. |
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EJF recommendation: Retain 95%, a consistently high standard. |
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Appointed county court judge by Gov. Hickenlooper on June 3, 2016. Prior to that he was in private practice. |
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His performance was much improved with 89% of attorneys voting to Retain and just 5% voting Do Not Retain. |
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Retired suddenly on July 3, 2006 rather than stand for retention again. |
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One of two judges not recommended for retention in 2002 survey. 61% Retain |
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Again in 2018 she received below average marks in case management, application and knowledge of law, communications, and demeanor. Commission noted these responses mirror those that she received in her 2014 evaluation. The EJF has personal experience with this judge and concurs with her low scores regarding demeanor and knowledge of the law. She is rude, temperamental, and abusive. |
Appointed county judge by Gov. Hickenlooper in January 2012. Formerly chief deputy district attorney. |
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EJF recommendation: 51% Do Not Retain while only 33% voted Retain |
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Stood for retention again in 2018. |
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This time 81% of attorneys voted to Retain but remaining 19% vote Do Not Retain. |
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In a scathing article in the October 12, 2014, Denver Post columnist Vincent Carroll described Rowles-Stokes as one vengeful judge after she interpreted an obvious, harmless misunderstanding over a court order as a direct, intolerable affront to her authority and jailed an attorney moments after he' had won a case in her court. |
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Promoted district court judge by Gov. Hickenlooper in September 2018 after hardly a year as a county court judge. |
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Promoted county court judge by Gov. Hickenlooper in May 2017. Previously a magistrate. |
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Appointed county court judge in April 1995. Previously in private practice. |
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Stood for retention in 1998. 80% Retain. Deficient in judicial performance in areas of sensitivity to ethnic and gender issues. Also criticized for improper decorum in the courtroom. |
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Appointed county court judge by Gov. Polis on August 3, 2023. Previously she was Supervising Deputy Public Defender in the Centennial Public Defender's Office. |
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Promoted to district court judge by Gov. Polis on September 8, 2020. |
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Appointed county court judge by Gov. Hickenlooper in November 2018. Previously he was a magistrate. |
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Promoted to district court judge by Gov. Hickenlooper in July 2018. |
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Censured by Supreme Court for exceeding his authority by setting his own deadline for DUI test results. |
Appointed county court judge by Gov. Hickenlooper effective January 1, 2017. Previously a Chief Deputy District Attorney in the 18 th Judicial District. |
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93% of attorneys voted to Retain and just 7% voted Do Not Retain. |
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Promoted to county court judge by Gov. Polis on January 4, 2024. |
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Promoted to county court judge by Gov. Ritter in August 2010. |
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Promoted to district court judge in the 20 th Judicial District by Gov. Hickenlooper in October 2011 |
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Promoted to county court judge by Gov. Hickenlooper in September 2016. |
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Ignored mother's extensive criminal record and gave her custody of child despite father's pleas. Allowed hearsay to be introduced as evidence. Inattentive and discriminated against defendant |
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Promoted to district court judge by Gov. Polis effective January 10, 2023. |
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No longer on bench as of September 2020. Reportedly beat up on fathers regarding child support so won't be missed. |
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Promoted to district court judge by Gov. Hickenlooper on April 29, 2016. |
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Promoted to district court judge in January 2014 by Gov. Hickenlooper in September 2014. |
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Promoted to county court judge by Gov. Hickenlooper in May 2017. |
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Removed from bench in early 2002 for “undisclosed” reasons. Reportedly a protégé of Juanita Rice. |
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Promoted to district court judge in 2 nd Judicial District in June 2019. |
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Promoted to Arapahoe County Judge in November 2018 by Gov. Hickenlooper. |
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Promoted to district court judge by Gov. Polis on September 3, 2019 |
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| EJF Home | Join the EJF | Comments? | Get EJF newsletter | Newsletters |
| DV Home | Abstract | Contents | Tables | Index | Bibliography |
| Chapter 7 — Colorado Judges — Citizen's Review |
| Next — Nineteenth Judicial District |
| Back — Seventeenth Judicial District |
This site is supported and maintained by the Equal Justice Foundation.