2026 retention · County Court · Grand County
13 percentile · rank 31 of 36
composite 0100
11 percentile · rank 96 of 108
composite 0100
14 19th percentile among peers · 12th percentile statewide
1060
Composite index 19.91 among peers (17.44 statewide): the mean of the three percentiles below. Rank orders by it.
2.90 of 4 · 25.00 percentile
1.903.80
2.90 of 4 · 25.00 percentile
1.873.75
50.00% 9.72 percentile
0.00%100.00%
Attorneys
- Say “meets standards”
- 50.00%
Non-attorneys
- Say “meets standards”
- 83.00%
| 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 | 2.80median 3.20 | 3.20 | |
| Communications | 3.00median 3.40 | 3.40 | |
| Diligence | 3.00median 3.30 | 3.30 | |
| Demeanor | 2.80median 3.30 | 3.30 | |
| Fairness | 2.60median 3.10 | 3.10 |
| Year | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grade | 3.20 | 3.40 | 3.30 | 3.20 | 3.20 | 3.20 |
| Responses | 20 | 22 | 33 | 33 | 30 | 18 |
Commission: meets standards (7–0)
The Fourteenth Judicial District Judicial Performance Commission unanimously agrees 7-0, with three commission vacancies, that Judge Nicholas Catanzarite MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS.
The Commission personally interviewed Judge Catanzarite, observed him in Court, reviewed judicial performance data, written orders, survey responses, and reviewed a self-evaluation completed by his Honor. It was clear from the interview that Judge Catanzarite has grown significantly in his role since 2015 and excels as a valuable judicial officer in the 14th Judicial District. The Commission was disappointed by the lack of participation in the survey results and would encourage the public to participate in the future. Survey responses were statistically unrepresentative and lacked sufficient context to provide meaningful feedback to the Commission. Judge Catanzarite handles a combined docket of traffic cases, civil disputes including small claims, criminal, and misdemeanor cases. Judge Catanzarite possesses an excellent judicial temperament and treats those in his courtroom with patience and respect. He demonstrates a breadth of legal knowledge and has developed strong processes supporting judicial efficiency. Judge Catanzarite displays good control of his courtroom with pro se and represented litigants alike. The Commission is pleased that Judge Catanzarite has embraced virtual courtroom proceedings to support accessibility of the Courts. The Commission encourages Judge Catanzarite to require video appearance (as opposed to audio-only) whenever possible to promote traditional standards of decorum. Judge Catanzarite has developed his skill in delivering oral rulings for expediency and continues to strengthen his organization and clarity in oral rulings. The Commission commends his Honor for the quality of his written rulings as well. Judge Catanzarite has also demonstrated leadership in the judiciary as part of the CourtCall pilot program and addressing pro se litigants’ increasing use of Artificial Intelligence to generate pleadings which can strain judicial resources. The Commission appreciates his more than a decade of service to the 14th Judicial District and finds Judge Catanzarite ranks high in demeanor, control, fairness, and efficiency.
Based on all the aforementioned considerations, the Judicial Performance Commission recommends that Judge Catanzarite meets performance standards.
Judge Nicholas Catanzarite was appointed to Grand County Court in 2015. Prior to his appointment to County Judge, he practiced law in Grand County for 3 years with a focus on criminal defense, real estate, and family law. Judge Catanzarite earned his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Denver in 2011.
2022 retention · County Court · Grand County
11 percentile · rank 52 of 59
composite 0100
16 percentile · rank 112 of 134
composite 0100
35 37th percentile among peers · 29th percentile statewide
4108
Composite index 14.97 among peers (21.39 statewide): the mean of the three percentiles below. Rank orders by it.
3.30 of 4 · 14.41 percentile
2.503.90
3.30 of 4 · 16.10 percentile
2.453.93
68.00% 14.41 percentile
50.00%100.00%
Attorneys
- Say “meets standards”
- 68.00%
Non-attorneys
- Say “meets standards”
- 92.00%
| Category | Score | Peer median | Peer range (dot is this judge, line is the median) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Case Management | 3.50median 3.60 | 3.60 | |
| Application and Knowledge of Law | 3.10median 3.40 | 3.40 | |
| Communications | 3.40median 3.70 | 3.70 | |
| Diligence | 3.20median 3.60 | 3.60 | |
| Demeanor | 3.40median 3.60 | 3.60 | |
| Fairness | 3.20median 3.50 | 3.50 |
Commission: meets standards (7–0)
The Fourteenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously agrees by a vote of 7-0 that Judge Nicholas Catanzarite 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 Catanzarite presides over Grand County matters within the 14 th Judicial District. Judge Catanzarite’s demeanor is described as being fair, patient, and consistent. He has embraced the virtual courtroom throughout the COVID-19 pandemic even when it requires him to repeat information. Judge Catanzarite’s written decisions are easily understood. Judge Catanzarite is very respectful and professional. Commission members observed these qualities during their evaluations and interviews. Based on these findings, the Commission unanimously agreed that Judge Nicholas Catanzarite meets performance standards.
The Commission conducted a personal interview with Judge Catanzarite, reviewed opinions and motions written by him, observed him in court, reviewed a self-evaluation prepared by Judge Catanzarite, and reviewed survey responses from both attorneys and non-attorneys who had interaction in Judge Catanzarite’s court. Judge Catanzarite’s survey results, which may be skewed by the low number of responses, showed that Judge Catanzarite received much higher ratings among the general public than with attorneys. While only 68% of attorneys responding felt Judge Catanzarite met performance standards, 92% of non-attorneys felt that he met performance standards. Among the responses received, it was recognized that while Judge Catanzarite is quick to take breaks allowing him to research a topic, that he is still learning the wide breadth of knowledge that comes before a judge. Based on the observations, the commission feels that continuing to advance his knowledge of the law would be beneficial to Judge Catanzarite.
Judge Nicholas Catanzarite was appointed to Grand County Court in 2015. Prior to his appointment to County Judge, he practiced law in Grand County for 3 years with a focus on criminal defense, real estate, and family law. Judge Catanzarite earned his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Denver in 2011.
2018 retention · County Court · Grand County
29 percentile · rank 50 of 71
composite 0100
26 percentile · rank 94 of 128
composite 0100
51 34th percentile among peers · 27th percentile statewide
4130
Composite index 35.21 among peers (32.81 statewide): the mean of the three percentiles below. Rank orders by it.
3.52 of 4 · 50.00 percentile
2.593.90
3.39 of 4 · 33.10 percentile
2.593.90
70.00% 22.54 percentile
0.00%100.00%
Attorneys
- Overall grade
- 3.16
- Say “meets standards”
- 70.00%
Non-attorneys
- Overall grade
- 3.60
- Say “meets standards”
- 88.00%
| Category | Score | Peer median | Peer range (dot is this judge, line is the median) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Case Management | 3.18median 3.50 | 3.50 | |
| Application and Knowledge of Law | 3.27median 3.38 | 3.38 | |
| Communications | 3.53median 3.58 | 3.58 | |
| Diligence | 3.21median 3.42 | 3.42 | |
| Demeanor | 3.50median 3.49 | 3.49 | |
| Fairness | 3.62median 3.60 | 3.60 |
Commission: meets standards (9–0)
Recommendation: The Fourteenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously (9-0) voted that Judge Nicholas Catanzarite MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS.
Background: Nicholas Catanzarite received his Bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and later received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Denver in 2011. He was appointed judge to the Grand County Court in 2015. Prior to Judge Catanzarite’s appointment as a judge, he practiced law in Grand County for three years with a focus on criminal defense, real estate, and family law. In the community, Judge Catanzarite previously served on the 14th District Judicial Performance Commission and currently is involved with the National Sports Center for the Disabled, volunteering his skills with new sit skiers. He also participates in Law Day at the Grand County Combined Courts.
Evaluation Methods: Judge Catanzarite was evaluated as to Integrity, Legal Knowledge, Communication, Judicial Temperament, Administrative Performance (Management) and Service to the Legal Profession. The Commission reviewed written evaluations of Judge Catanzarite, which included verbatim comments from attorneys and non-attorneys. The non-attorney responses were from jurors, law enforcement, social services, courthouse personnel, and self-represented litigants who have appeared in front of the judge. Of all attorneys surveyed, 70% found Judge Catanzarite to meet performance standards and 30% found he did not meet performance standards. Of all non-attorneys surveyed, 88% found Judge Catanzarite to meet performance standards, 8% found he did not meet performance standards, and 5% expressed no opinion. (Rounding of percentages leads to greater than 100%.) The Commission also considered a self-evaluation by Judge Catanzarite, orders and opinions written by him, observations of the judge in his courtroom, and his responses in a face-to-face interview.
Performance: Survey results and courtroom observations show high marks for Judge Catanzarite for integrity and temperament. Many respondents commented on Judge Catanzarite’s respect for those appearing before him as well as his polite and professional demeanor in the courtroom. The Commission suggested some recommendations for Judge Catanzarite to provide more in depth findings of fact and conclusions of law in his oral and written orders as well as opportunities to strengthen his knowledge of the law. Judge Catanzarite appears committed to identifying and taking advantage of these opportunities. Overall the Commission found that Judge Catanzarite received higher marks than many other county court judges across the state, performed at or above average overall, and performed well as a new judge on the bench.