2022 retention · District Court · 21st Judicial District
36 percentile · rank 43 of 67
composite 0100
28 percentile · rank 96 of 134
composite 0100
39 31st percentile among peers · 36th percentile statewide
15132
Composite index 40.80 among peers (35.07 statewide): the mean of the three percentiles below. Rank orders by it.
3.20 of 4 · 21.64 percentile
2.603.80
3.23 of 4 · 20.90 percentile
2.583.82
95.00% 79.85 percentile
43.00%100.00%
Attorneys
- Say “meets standards”
- 95.00%
Non-attorneys
- Say “meets standards”
- 62.00%
| Category | Score | Peer median | Peer range (dot is this judge, line is the median) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Case Management | 3.10median 3.40 | 3.40 | |
| Application and Knowledge of Law | 3.30median 3.30 | 3.30 | |
| Communications | 3.40median 3.50 | 3.50 | |
| Diligence | 3.10median 3.40 | 3.40 | |
| Demeanor | 3.30median 3.50 | 3.50 | |
| Fairness | 3.20median 3.40 | 3.40 |
Commission: meets standards (9–0)
The Twenty-First Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously finds that the Honorable Judge Richard T. Gurley MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS, by a vote of 9 – 0.
Judge Gurley is known for his collegial bench. In his judicial performance survey conducted by the State Judicial Department, 95% of attorneys found that Judge Gurley met performance standards (5% of respondents had no opinion) and 62% of non-attorneys found that Judge Gurley met standards (31% of respondents had no opinion). The Judicial Performance Commission assessed the integrity, legal knowledge, communication skills, judicial temperament, administrative performance, and service to the legal profession and the public. Judge Gurley received solid scores in all these areas with only a small concern for delay in orders and pre-trial rulings. However, it should be noted that Judge Gurley is within benchmark standards for closing cases in the State of Colorado. Survey respondents describe his courtroom as fair and neutral and Judge Gurley as having an “even demeanor” with “clear control of his courtroom.” Judge Gurley treats victims with kindness and respect. In his interview with the Performance Commission, Judge Gurley wanted everyone to feel that he “gave them a fair shake,” that he listened and that those before him felt heard.
In addition to reviewing the survey results from individuals that are in Judge Gurley’s courtroom, the Performance Commission observed his courtroom, reviewed some of his authored orders, and interviewed the Chief Judge of the 21st Judicial District, representatives from the District Attorney’s office and the Public Defender’s office. Judge Gurley was observed to be kind, patient, and treated those before him with respect. Though attorneys have previously reported that he was not timely in starting his docket, Judge Gurley has effectively addressed this concern. Judge Gurley has also received a solid performance ratings from appellate judges.
Judge Gurley was an attorney in private practice before being appointed as a Mesa County District Judge in September 2006. Criminal cases make up most of his docket followed by domestic relations, civil, probate, and dependency and neglect cases. He has served as an adjunct faculty member at Colorado Mesa University (CMU) since 2009 and has also served as a Pre-Law Advisor for CMU students. He volunteers for Special Olympics of Western Colorado, and has volunteered at local high schools, and Homeward Bound. The Performance Commission finds Judge Gurley to be a valuable member of the bench in the Twenty-First Judicial District.
2016 retention · District Court · 21st Judicial District
89 percentile · rank 7 of 61
composite 0100
83 percentile · rank 18 of 108
composite 0100
88 70th percentile among peers · 61st percentile statewide
17164
Composite index 83.33 among peers (81.33 statewide): the mean of the three percentiles below. Rank orders by it.
3.69 of 4 · 84.43 percentile
2.793.84
3.62 of 4 · 76.23 percentile
2.813.84
97.00% 89.34 percentile
40.00%100.00%
Attorneys
- Overall grade
- 3.42
- Say “meets standards”
- 97.00%
Non-attorneys
- Overall grade
- 3.83
- Say “meets standards”
- 91.00%
| Category | Score | Peer median | Peer range (dot is this judge, line is the median) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Case Management | 3.40median 3.38 | 3.38 | |
| Application and Knowledge of Law | 3.54median 3.41 | 3.41 | |
| Communications | 3.70median 3.53 | 3.53 | |
| Diligence | 3.61median 3.48 | 3.48 | |
| Demeanor | 3.65median 3.47 | 3.47 | |
| Fairness | 3.85median 3.68 | 3.68 |
Commission: meets standards (10–0)
The Twenty-First Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance by a vote of 10 to 0, unanimously recommends that Judge Richard T. Gurley be retained.
In January, 2007, Richard T. Gurley was appointed to the position of District Court Judge for the 21st Judicial District of Colorado. His educational background includes attending both Creighton University and Indiana University, where he obtained degrees in business economics and public policy. He obtained a juris doctor degree from Drake University in 1986. Judge Gurley is presently pursuing a masters degree in judicial studies from the University of Nevada/National Judicial College, which he expects to complete by May, 2017.
Judge Gurley was evaluated by the following methods: attorney surveys, non-attorney surveys, self-evaluation, courtroom observations by commission members, review of written decisions, and an interview with the Commission. In the 2016 Judicial Performance Survey, Judge Gurley received a recommendation for retention from 93% of respondents completing surveys, including 97% of responding attorneys. He received higher than average ratings as compared to district court judges across the State in the following categories: case management, application and knowledge of law, communication, demeanor, and diligence.
Judge Gurley is generally viewed as a very intelligent judge who gives fair and thoughtful rulings. He is known for his calm judicial demeanor and his personality is consistently recognized as being well suited to the bench. Judge Gurley is viewed as an innovator and as someone who is always looking for ways to improve himself personally as a judge, as well as the efficiency and overall functioning of his courtroom. He is lauded as a judge who views each litigant individually, and judges each case on its own merits. He schedules regular meetings with attorneys who practice in his courtroom and is open to constructive criticism. More importantly, he is willing to change courtroom procedures in response to criticism when appropriate. Judge Gurley is active in the community. He teaches three to four classes each year at Colorado Mesa University (CMU) in Business Law, the American Court System, and Trials and Legal Advocacy. He also serves as the pre-law advisor for CMU students and occasionally volunteers as a judge at high school speech and debate tournaments.