2024 retention · County Court · Jefferson County
9 percentile · rank 43 of 47
composite 0100
14 percentile · rank 92 of 107
composite 0100
46 84th percentile among peers · 78th percentile statewide
671
Composite index 16.67 among peers (19.78 statewide): the mean of the three percentiles below. Rank orders by it.
3.00 of 4 · 13.83 percentile
2.103.80
3.00 of 4 · 12.77 percentile
2.173.75
75.00% 23.40 percentile
27.00%100.00%
Attorneys
- Say “meets standards”
- 75.00%
Non-attorneys
- Say “meets standards”
- 55.00%
| Category | Score | Peer median | Peer range (dot is this judge, line is the median) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Case Management | 3.20median 3.30 | 3.30 | |
| Application and Knowledge of Law | 3.00median 3.10 | 3.10 | |
| Communications | 3.20median 3.30 | 3.30 | |
| Diligence | 3.00median 3.30 | 3.30 | |
| Demeanor | 2.80median 3.30 | 3.30 | |
| Fairness | 2.80median 3.20 | 3.20 |
Commission: meets standards (10–0)
The First Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously agrees by a vote of 10-0 that Judge Bradley Allen Burback MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS. The Colorado statutory judicial performance standards are integrity, legal knowledge, communication skills, judicial temperament, administrative performance, and service to the legal profession and the public.
Judge Burback is a county court judge who presides over a mixed docket. He is described as having a strong knowledge of the law which he applies consistently. Comments include he runs his docket smoothly and promptly and he communicates clearly and efficiently. He is described as honest, fair, caring, empathetic, and a good listener. Survey comments include, he “does his homework” and is prepared for his cases and makes rulings in a timely manner. His demeanor is described as professional and courteous. Judge Burback has worked hard to ensure his courtroom runs smoothly and he continues to work on ensuring cases move at an appropriate pace. Judge Burback’s average survey scores have increased as have his scores for demeanor and docket management. Judge Burback is seen as a team player and provides guidance to other judges as well as attorneys who appear in his courtroom. Judge Burback was commended for providing access to proceedings in his courtroom via his use of Webex and live streaming.
The Commission conducted a personal interview with Judge Burback, reviewed opinions Judge Burback authored, observed Judge Burback in court, reviewed the 2024 Judicial Performance Survey Report from attorneys and non-attorneys appearing before Judge Burback, as well as received feedback from the Office of the State Public Defender and the First Judicial District Attorney's Office. Based on the Commission’s evaluation, Judge Burback demonstrated that he meets or exceeds performance standards in all categories under review: case management, application and knowledge of the law, communications, diligence, demeanor, and fairness.
Judge Burback was appointed to the bench in 2008. Prior to his appointment, Judge Burback was a magistrate and deputy district attorney for the First Judicial District. Judge Burback earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Baltimore School of Law and his bachelor’s degree from Colorado State University. Judge Burback is a veteran of the United States Navy. His service included being a judge advocate. Judge Burback is actively involved with Operation Standby, a pro bono project which helps military members and their dependents with legal issues. He also serves on the Domestic Violence and Community Corrections Boards. Judge Burback has served as a judge for the Colorado High School Mock Trial Program’s competitions and for the First Judicial District Attorney’s Office Citizen’s Academy moot court session.
2016 retention · County Court · Jefferson County
51 percentile · rank 18 of 36
composite 0100
58 percentile · rank 45 of 108
composite 0100
123 95th percentile among peers · 95th percentile statewide
5140
Composite index 50.46 among peers (55.86 statewide): the mean of the three percentiles below. Rank orders by it.
3.56 of 4 · 54.17 percentile
3.113.84
3.54 of 4 · 51.39 percentile
3.023.84
80.00% 45.83 percentile
50.00%100.00%
Attorneys
- Overall grade
- 3.31
- Say “meets standards”
- 80.00%
Non-attorneys
- Overall grade
- 3.78
- Say “meets standards”
- 91.00%
| Category | Score | Peer median | Peer range (dot is this judge, line is the median) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Case Management | 3.41median 3.50 | 3.50 | |
| Application and Knowledge of Law | 3.38median 3.49 | 3.49 | |
| Communications | 3.67median 3.65 | 3.65 | |
| Diligence | 3.46median 3.50 | 3.50 | |
| Demeanor | 3.63median 3.62 | 3.62 | |
| Fairness | 3.72median 3.66 | 3.66 |
Commission: meets standards
The First Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously recommends that Judge Bradley Allen Burback BE RETAINED.
Judge Burback received his BA degree from Colorado State University and his law degree from the University of Baltimore School of Law. He was appointed to the Jefferson County Court in 2008. Before his appointment to the court, Judge Burback was a Deputy District Attorney for the First Judicial District and a District Court Magistrate for the First Judicial District. Judge Burback previously served as a judge advocate in the U.S. Navy. His community service includes volunteering with Operation Standby, a pro bono American Bar Association project to assist U.S. military members and their dependents with legal issues. He serves as an alternate member of the Jefferson County Corrections Board, served as a judge for the 2015 Regional High School Mock Trial Competition, and served as a judge for the First Judicial District Attorney’s Office Citizen’s Academy moot court session. Judge Burback is a member of the Colorado Supreme Court Committee on Criminal Jury Instructions. He has also volunteered as a Sunday school teacher and a Cub Scout den leader.
The Commission observed Judge Burback in the courtroom, reviewed decisions, survey results, the Judge’s self-evaluation and case management reports, considered information from other interested parties, and conducted a personal interview. Fifty-six attorneys and sixty-seven non-attorneys completed judicial performance surveys sent to individuals identified as having experience before Judge Burback in 2015 -2016. In the 2016 Final Survey Report, 80% of attorneys recommend Judge Burback be retained, 9% recommend not to retain, and 11% made no recommendation. Of non-attorneys completing surveys, 91% recommend Judge Burback be retained, 4% recommend not to retain, and 4% made no recommendation. (The totals do not add up to 100% due to rounding).
Judge Burback presides over a mixed docket which includes Misdemeanor, Traffic, Criminal, and Civil cases. Judge Burback is regarded as an excellent communicator who runs an efficient court, treats all parties with great respect, correctly and consistently applies the law, sets judgments and sentences fairly, and shows no bias for either the prosecution or the defense. He is effective communicating with defendants who represent themselves without a lawyer and with assisting young lawyers. He approaches his judgeship thoughtfully and performs his duties seriously.