This site is copyrighted, supported, and maintained by the Equal Justice Foundation.
| 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 — How the courts are failing |
| Back— Twenty Second Judicial District |
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.
|
Did not stand for retention in 2016. Term ended January 2017. |
|||
|
The EJF has received a number of complaints about gender bias and fairness in her court. |
|||
|
Appointed district court judge by Gov. Hickenlooper in August 2017. Previously with Denver District Attorney's Office in the Economic Crime Unit. |
|||
|
Only a pathetic 62% of attorneys voted to Retain while 38% voted Do Not Retain. |
|||
|
Did not stand for retention in 2016 and stepped down July 1, 2016. |
|||
|
Appointed district judge in July 2008. Prior to that he was in private practice. |
|||
|
Colorado Politics wrote a scathing review of the ever mounting number of errors resulting in reversals of cases that came before her. |
Retired in December 2023 as reversals of her findings in criminal cases stacked up due to her errors. But in October, 2025, Chief Justice Monica M. Márquez signed a contract permitting her to continue handling cases as a part-time senior judge. The contract allowed Herron to resume work even after the Court of Appeals found she committed numerous errors. |
||
|
Appointed district court judge by Gov. Hickenlooper in January 2016. Previously with state attorney generals office. |
|||
|
Appointed district court judge January 2003. Prior to that she was an administrative law judge from 1991 on. |
|||
|
Retired July 2018.but remains a senior judge as of September 2020. |
|||
|
Appointed district court judge by Gov. Polis effective September 1, 2023. Previously she was Senior Chief Deputy District Attorney. |
|||
|
Appointed district court judge by Gov. Hickenlooper on January 6, 2016. Prior to that he was in private practice. |
|||
|
Appointed district court judge in August 1987 and chief judge in August 2002. |
|||
|
Promoted to district court judge by Gov. Hickenlooper on April 29, 2016. Prior to that he was a magistrate. |
|||
|
80% of attorneys voted to Retain but just 7% voted Do Not Retain. |
|||
|
Promoted to district court judge by Gov. Hickenlooper on April 29, 2016. Was a magistrate in Douglas County. |
|||
|
84% of attorneys voted to Retain but 11% voted Do Not Retain. |
|||
|
Violated rules of criminal procedure and Sixth Amendment's right to counsel when she allowed a defense attorney to withdraw, did not seek input from the defendant, and did not evaluate the necessity of the withdrawal. |
Appointed district judge by Gov. Hickenlooper in August 2012. |
||
|
89% of attorneys voted to Retain while just 6% voted Do Not Retain. |
|||
|
Did not stand for retention in 2022 and stepped down July 1, 2022. |
|||
|
Promoted to District Court Judge in 18 th Judicial District by Gov. Hickenlooper on December 19, 2018. Formerly Jefferson County Court Judge in 1 st Judicial District. |
|||
|
Promoted from magistrate to county court judge in August 2012 in 1 st Judicial District. |
|||
|
This time 86% of attorneys voted to Retain, a great improvement. |
|||
|
Appointed district court judge by Gov. Polis effective August 3, 2024. Previously he was an Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Colorado. |
|||
|
White beat the system by refusing the alcohol test and the Dept. of Motor Vehicles didn't take his drivers license away for one year as required under the “express consent” law. |
Did not stand for retention in 2014 and term ended January 2015. |
||
|
After his appointment, and before he ever took his seat on the bench, he was arrested January 7, 2005, for drunken driving and speeding. White refused to take a blood or breathalyzer test. Despite that, DUI charges were dropped and DMV gave him his drivers license back. White was previously arrested on DUI (BAC 0.117) in 2000 and convicted of DWAI on a plea bargain. |
|||
|
Former magistrate. Appointed county court judge by Gov. Owens in June 2006. |
|||
|
Resigned in December 2007 after being involved in an “improper” relationship at age 57 with 29-year-old prosecutor Laurie Steinman. Ms. Steinman was fired by District Attorney Carol Chambers, who was herself recently disciplined by the CO Supreme Court for ethical violations. Biddle and Ms. Steinman repeatedly had sex in his chambers during 2006 and Biddle would sneak into the women's facility in the courthouse to shower with Ms. Steinman. The affair, which began before Biddle was promoted to county judge, was first reported by Biddle's then-wife Gail Liles. Ms. Hurst nee Steinman later lost her law license for 3 years. (Denver Post, December 29, 2006 (p. 1&5 B), June 22, 2007 (p. 5B, Rocky Mountain News, September 8, 2007, p. 19). In December 2007 Biddle's license to practice law was also suspended for 3 years (Denver Post, Dec. 19, 2007, p. 4B). |
|||
|
Promoted to county court judge by Gov. Ritter in August 2010. Formerly Douglas County magistrate. |
|||
|
97% of attorneys voted to Retain with just 3% voting Do Not Retain. |
|||
|
Appointed to bench in 2007. Still works as a part-time magistrate in Denver District Court. |
|||
|
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. |
|||
|
Appointed county court judge by Gov. Polis on November 8, 2019. Previously a district court magistrate in the 1 st Judicial District. |
|||
|
Stood for retention in 2002. 75% Retain. Given very poor rating in Oct. 13, 2002 Rocky Mountain News article. |
|||
|
Stood for retention in 2006. Concerns about his angry outbursts in courtroom and toward his staff. Probably PTSD. |
|||
|
EJF recommendation: 61% Do Not Retain and only 23% Retain. Health problems reported. |
|||
|
Transferred back to 4 th Judicial District as an El Paso County Judge. |
|||
|
Promoted from magistrate in 4 th Judicial District in February 2007. |
|||
|
Appointed Arapahoe County judge by Gov. Polis on November 16, 2020. Previously a part-time magistrate in the 2 nd Judicial District. |
|||
|
Only a bare 72% of attorneys voted to Retain while 20% voted Do Not Retain. |
|||
|
Appointed county court judge in October 1985. Prior to that he was a deputy district attorney. |
|||
|
Retain with reservations about docket timeliness. Starts court up to 1 hour late. |
|||
|
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. |
||
|
Again just a pathetic 63% of attorneys voted to Retain, while 38% voted Do Not Retain. |
|||
|
Filed paperwork but then did not stand for retention in 2010. Her term expired January 1, 2011. |
|||
|
Stood for retention in 2006. Only a pitiful 57% of attorneys voted to Retain. |
|||
|
Stood for retention in 2002. 77% Retain. Given very poor rating in Oct. 13, 2002 Rocky Mountain News article. |
|||
|
Reports are that this judge was polite, fair and faithful to the law. |
|||
|
Filed suit against Elbert County commission due to dangerous conditions in the courthouse. |
|||
|
Appointed county court judge in 1995. Prior to that he was a deputy district attorney. Municipal judge in Parker. |
|||
|
Promoted to district court judge by Gov. Hickenlooper in July 2018. |
|||
|
Appointed county court judge on April 9, 2021 by Gov. Polis. Previously a chief deputy district attorney in the 2 nd Judicial District. |
|||
|
84% of attorneys voted to Retain while 12% voted Do Not Retain. |
|||
|
Resigned in December 2006 after being involved in an “improper” relationship at age 57 with 29-year-old prosecutor Laurie Steinman. Ms. Steinman was fired by District Attorney Carol Chambers, who was herself recently disciplined by the CO Supreme Court for ethical violations. Biddle and Ms. Steinman repeatedly had sex in his chambers during 2006 and Biddle would sneak into the women's facility in the courthouse to shower with Ms. Steinman. The affair, which began before Biddle was promoted to county judge, was first reported by Biddle's then-wife Gail Liles. Ms. Hurst nee Steinman later lost her law license for 3 years. (Denver Post, December 29, 2006 (p. 1&5 B), June 22, 2007 (p. 5B, Rocky Mountain News, September 8, 2007, p. 19). In December 2007 Biddle's license to practice law was also suspended for 3 years (Denver Post, Dec. 19, 2007, p. 4B). |
|||
|
Appointed Arapahoe County district court judge by Gov. Polis effective July 1, 2023. |
|||
|
Indifferent to father's and grandmother's visitation rights for 2-year old child. Ignored evidence and insulted father. |
|||
|
Promoted to district court judge by Gov. Hickenlooper on April 29, 2016. |
|||
|
Refused to issue permanent orders in divorce case until ordered to do so after three years by the Colorado Supreme Court. |
|||
| 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 — How the courts are failing |
| Back— Twenty Second Judicial District |
This site is supported and maintained by the Equal Justice Foundation.