2026 retention · District Court · 17th Judicial District
48 percentile · rank 33 of 65
composite 0100
42 percentile · rank 63 of 108
composite 0100
29 66th percentile among peers · 71st percentile statewide
1054
Composite index 49.23 among peers (44.60 statewide): the mean of the three percentiles below. Rank orders by it.
3.20 of 4 · 56.15 percentile
2.103.80
3.25 of 4 · 61.54 percentile
2.073.82
75.00% 30.00 percentile
25.00%100.00%
Attorneys
- Say “meets standards”
- 75.00%
Non-attorneys
- Say “meets standards”
- 85.00%
| Category | Score | Peer median | Peer range (dot is this judge, line is the median) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Case Management | 3.20median 3.20 | 3.20 | |
| Application and Knowledge of Law | 3.30median 3.10 | 3.10 | |
| Communications | 3.30median 3.30 | 3.30 | |
| Diligence | 3.30median 3.10 | 3.10 | |
| Demeanor | 3.30median 3.30 | 3.30 | |
| Fairness | 3.10median 3.10 | 3.10 |
| Year | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grade | 3.20 | 3.10 | 2.90 | 3.40 | 3.00 | 3.20 |
| Responses | 31 | 21 | 22 | 19 | 17 | 18 |
Commission: meets standards (8–0)
The Seventeenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance agrees by a vote of 8-0, with two commissioners absent, that Judge Caryn A. Datz MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS.
Judge Datz presided over a juvenile delinquency and dependency and neglect docket until last year when she returned to a criminal docket. The Judicial Performance Commission observed Judge Datz conduct proceedings, reviewed selected written decisions, and analyzed survey results provided by attorneys, non-attorneys and appellate judges. The commission also interviewed Judge Datz, interviewed the Chief Judge of the 17th Judicial District, and representatives from the Public Defender’s Office and the District Attorney’s Office. The Commission reviewed judicial performance data and Judge Datz’s self-evaluation. After evaluating this information, the voting Commission members unanimously agreed that Judge Datz meets performance standards.
Judge Datz is considerate of all in her courtroom and provides written communications that are clear, thorough and well-reasoned. She gives participants an opportunity to be heard, while managing the proceedings and maintaining appropriate control over her courtroom. Citizens appearing in her courtroom find her to be well-prepared and thorough. She knows the law and applies it consistently and impartially. Her demeanor is professional, which promotes an atmosphere of respect and public confidence in her integrity. Judge Datz is articulate and displays an ability to express herself thoughtfully, a valuable skill in sensitive or difficult situations. She demonstrates that she is knowledgeable, professional and organized. She also actively participates in a number of community service activities and serves as an educator for several legal and non-legal organizations.
Judge Datz serves as a District Court judge for the 17th Judicial District covering Adams and Broomfield Counties. She was appointed to the District Court bench in August of 2018 by then Governor Hickenlooper. Prior to her appointment, Judge Datz was a Chief Trial Deputy for the 20th Judicial District Office of the District Attorney in Boulder County. A graduate of the University of Miami School of Law (2001), Judge Datz earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin in 1998 with a B.A. in Spanish and English. She has taught as an adjunct professor at the University of Colorado School of Law and is an active member of several community organizations.
2020 retention · District Court · 17th Judicial District
19 percentile · rank 48 of 59
composite 0100
21 percentile · rank 79 of 100
composite 0100
30 33rd percentile among peers · 41st percentile statewide
1488
Composite index 25.14 among peers (26.17 statewide): the mean of the three percentiles below. Rank orders by it.
3.20 of 4 · 19.49 percentile
2.203.90
3.20 of 4 · 16.95 percentile
2.423.88
85.00% 38.98 percentile
39.00%100.00%
Attorneys
- Say “meets standards”
- 85.00%
Non-attorneys
- Say “meets standards”
- 0.00%
| 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 | 3.00median 3.40 | 3.40 | |
| Communications | 3.20median 3.50 | 3.50 | |
| Diligence | 3.10median 3.40 | 3.40 | |
| Demeanor | 3.20median 3.60 | 3.60 |
Commission: meets standards (8–0)
The Seventeenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance agreed unanimously (8-0) that the Honorable Caryn A. Datz MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS. Two Commission members did not participate in the voting.
The Commission is impressed by several aspects of Judge Datz’s performance, including her courtroom demeanor and preparation, especially with her domestic-relations docket; her excellent communication and respect with and for attorneys and non-attorneys in her courtroom; her interest in matters before her; and her thorough and well-reasoned written decisions, for which she received a 4.0 out of 4.0 from appellate judges. These qualities demonstrate her empathy and compassion, her willingness to improve, and her humility with parties and attorneys. The Commission is also impressed by her willingness to continue her professional development, as well as her commitment to the 17th Judicial District community. The Commission believes Judge Datz is genuinely committed to, and is effectively ensuring, the fair, transparent and speedy application of justice in her courtroom. The Commission did note that Judge Datz needs to improve her ability to identify and analyze relevant facts as she makes her decisions.
Judge Datz has presided over a criminal docket since January 2020; previously she presided over a domestic relations docket. The Judicial Performance Commission observed Judge Datz conduct proceedings via WebEx, reviewed transcripts of court proceedings, reviewed selected written decisions, and analyzed survey results provided by attorneys, non-attorneys and appellate judges. The commission also interviewed Judge Datz via Zoom and reviewed her self-evaluation.
Judge Datz is a District Court judge in the Seventeenth Judicial District covering Adams and Broomfield Counties. She was appointed to the District Court bench in August of 2018 by Governor John Hickenlooper. Prior to her appointment, Judge Datz was a Chief Trial Deputy for the 20th Judicial District Office of the District Attorney in Boulder County. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin in 1998 with a B.A. in Spanish and English and her juris doctorate from University of Miami School of Law in 2001.