Colleen Clark

Commission: meets standards Split vote 7–1

The Eighteenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance agrees, by a vote of 7-1, with one member absent and one vacancy on the Commission, that Judge Colleen Clark 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 to the public.

After meeting with Judge Clark, and after reviewing her prior work and assessing feedback from attorneys and non-attorneys, the Commission determined that she meets judicial performance standards. Judge Clark was described as fair, calm, punctual, and courteous. Some respondents expressed concerns that Judge Clark can be at times slow to make rulings, appears to be visibly frustrated at times, and has opportunity to grow with how she engages with pro se litigants. Judge Clark, who currently presides over a criminal county court docket in Arapahoe County, has recently transitioned back to this docket from an 80/20 civil/small claims docket in Littleton, but brings over twenty years of prior experience in criminal law. Judge Clark assured the Commission that she is committed to all parties being treated with dignity and respect, punctuality, as well as her continued commitment to ensure all parties feel heard and respected. Judge Clark is excited about her return to the criminal docket, is confident in her ability to serve the citizens of Arapahoe County. The Commission concluded Judge Clark’s legal knowledge base is stable.

The Commission conducted a personal interview with Judge Clark, reviewed rulings she authored, observed her in court, reviewed comments from interested parties during the evaluation, and analyzed survey responses from both attorneys and non-attorneys who had experience with Judge Clark. Attorney and non-attorney respondents, although low in numbers, found mixed issues in some areas. The Commission found similar consistent with from past evaluations.

Judge Clark was appointed to the bench October 6, 2016. Prior to her appointment to the bench, she was a magistrate and a municipal court judge, and before that time, she worked as a prosecutor in many jurisdictions across the state and specialized in crimes against persons, mostly children. Judge Clark currently serves on the Colorado Supreme Court Task Force on Wellbeing and the Senior Judge Standing Committee, is a member of the National Association of Women Judges, is a member of the International Association of Women Judges, has served two terms on the board of the Colorado Women’s Bar Association. Judge Clark has provided trainings for the Sam Cary Bar Association, the Colorado Women’s Bar Association, the Colorado Judicial Institute and the Sturm College of Law in her previous term. Judge Clark was a member of the Leadership Cherry Creek 2020 class. She received her undergraduate degree in political science from the University of Rochester and her juris doctorate from Boston University.

State evaluation page · 2026 survey report (PDF)

Commission: meets standards (8–0)

The Eighteenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance finds, by a vote of 8-0 (with two commissioners not participating), that Judge Colleen E. Clark 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 Clark presides over a criminal docket. Based on the Commission’s overall evaluation, Judge Clark has demonstrated she meets or exceeds performance standards in almost all categories. Her even demeanor and temperament led her to being described as a solid hardworking judge. Judge Clark received high marks in case management, communication, and diligence in handling difficult cases. This was consistent with her last Judicial Performance Evaluation. Judge Clark was one of the leaders in the use of technology and WEBEX during the pandemic.

The Commission met with Chief Judge Michelle A. Amico to discuss her interactions with Judge Clark, as well as the District Attorney’s Office, Public Defender’s Office, Probation Department for feedback on Judge Clark’s performance. The Commission personally interviewed Judge Clark and reviewed her written self-evaluation. Members also observed Judge Clark and reviewed 2022 Judicial Performance Survey responses from attorneys and non-attorneys. Judge Clark received an overall performance rating of 3.4 of a possible 4.0, compared to the average for all county court judges of 3.4. Among the survey questions was, "based on your responses to the previous questions related to the performance evaluation criteria, do you think Judge Clark meets judicial performance standards?" Of the attorneys responding to the survey, 83% answered yes, meets performance standards, 8% answered no, does not meet performance standards and 8% had no opinion. Of the non-attorneys responding to the survey, 75% answered yes, meets performance standards, 20% answered no, does not meet performance standards, and 5% had no opinion. These numbers may not total 100 due to rounding. A total of 13 attorneys and 27 non- attorneys responded to the judicial performance surveys expressing their opinions of Judge Clark’s performance.

Judge Clark has been a practicing attorney in Colorado for eighteen years. She was appointed to serve on the Arapahoe County Court bench effective October 6, 2016. Prior to her current appointment Judge Clark worked as a magistrate and a municipal court judge. Before becoming a judge, she worked as a prosecutor in many jurisdictions across the state and specialized in crimes against persons, mostly children. Judge Clark currently serves on the Colorado Supreme Court Task Force on Wellbeing. Judge Clark is currently the District Director for the National Association of Women Judges and a member of the International Association of Women Judges. Judge Clark serves on the board for the Colorado Women’s Bar Association. Judge Clark was in the Leadership Cherry Creek 2020 class. Judge Colleen Clark received her undergraduate degree in political science from the University of Rochester and her juris doctorate from Boston University.

State evaluation page · 2022 survey report (PDF)

Commission: meets standards Split vote 9–1

The Eighteenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance agrees, by a vote of 9 to 1, that Judge Colleen Clark MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS.

Judge Clark was appointed to Arapahoe County Court in October 2016. Prior to appointment, Judge Clark worked as a contract civil attorney and a deputy district attorney, spending most of her time representing victims in the Crimes against Children units. Judge Clark also worked part time as a municipal judge for the City of Aurora and part time as a magistrate in the 18th Judicial District, handling the truancy docket. Judge Clark received an undergraduate degree from the University of Rochester in 2000 and law degree from Boston University in 2003. Judge Clark recognizes the lack of mental health resources as a huge stressor in the system and meets with local service providers that can support mental health and substance abuse needs. The Commission conducted a personal interview with Judge Clark, reviewed opinions she authored, observed her in court, reviewed comments from interested parties and reviewed survey responses from attorneys and non-attorneys who had experience with Judge Clark. Among the survey questions was, “based on your responses to the previous questions related to the performance evaluation criteria, do you think Judge Clark meets judicial performance standards?” Of the attorneys responding to the survey, 63% answered yes, meets performance standards, and 38% answered no, does not meet performance standards (these percentages do not total 100% due to rounding). Of the non-attorneys responding to the survey, 93% answered yes, meets performance standards, 5% answered no, does not meet performance standards, and 2% had no opinion. Nine attorneys and fifty-six non-attorneys responded to the judicial performance surveys expressing their opinion of Judge Clark’s performance.

Judge Clark presides over a criminal docket. Based on the Commission’s overall evaluation, Judge Clark has demonstrated she meets or exceeds performance standards in almost all categories. Attorneys responding to the surveys rated Judge Clark’s overall performance lower than non-attorneys and rated Judge Clark’s performance in “Application and Knowledge of the Law” lower than all other categories. Interested parties and the commission expressed concern over commitment to judicial duties, and during the interview with Judge Clark, the commission was assured that she is aware of the concerns and is taking appropriate steps to correct them. Judge Clark received high marks in case management, communications and demeanor and is often described as fair and kind, treating all participants in the courtroom with respect and dignity. Commission members observed these traits during their evaluation and interview with Judge Clark and were very impressed by her dedication to making sure those before her have clear written instructions and have knowledge of support mechanisms to help them meet their requirements. Though Judge Clark delivers most of her opinions orally, her written opinions are communicated very clearly. Based on these findings the Commission agrees that Judge Clark meets judicial performance standards by a vote of 9 to 1.

State evaluation page · 2018 survey report (PDF)