2026 retention · District Court · 21st Judicial District
0 percentile · rank 65 of 65
composite 0100
0 percentile · rank 108 of 108
composite 0100
27 55th percentile among peers · 59th percentile statewide
1054
Composite index 1.28 among peers (1.70 statewide): the mean of the three percentiles below. Rank orders by it.
2.10 of 4 · 0.77 percentile
2.103.80
2.07 of 4 · 0.77 percentile
2.073.82
36.00% 2.31 percentile
25.00%100.00%
Attorneys
- Say “meets standards”
- 36.00%
Non-attorneys
- Say “meets standards”
- 50.00%
| Category | Score | Peer median | Peer range (dot is this judge, line is the median) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Case Management | 2.20median 3.20 | 3.20 | |
| Application and Knowledge of Law | 1.90median 3.10 | 3.10 | |
| Communications | 2.20median 3.30 | 3.30 | |
| Diligence | 1.80median 3.10 | 3.10 | |
| Demeanor | 2.30median 3.30 | 3.30 | |
| Fairness | 2.00median 3.10 | 3.10 |
| Year | 2025 |
|---|---|
| Grade | 3.20 |
| Responses | 18 |
Commission: meets standards Split vote 4–4
The Twenty-First Judicial Commission finds that Judge Jennilynn E. Lawrence MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS. Four members of the Commission voted that Judge Lawrence met performance standards and four members voted that she did not meet performance standards. The Commission has one vacancy and one absent commissioner.
The Commission considered multiple sources of information, including survey results, courtroom observations, interviews, the judge’s self-evaluation, and case management data. Survey results indicated that 36% of attorneys found Judge Lawrence meets performance standards, while non-attorney responses were more mixed at 50%. In addition to attorney and non-attorney surveys, Judge Lawrence was evaluated by four judges on the Colorado Court of Appeals, who gave her an average rating of 3.8 out of 4. Due to the small number of overall surveys returned, the Commission considered these results in the context of all available information.
After meeting with Judge Lawrence and reviewing her work over the past two years and after assessing feedback from attorneys and non-attorneys, the Commission was evenly split as to whether she meets judicial performance standards. Although much of her work is satisfactory, her performance was not strong enough to gain a majority of the Commission’s support. While many on the Commission found that Judge Lawrence has improved over the past year in administration and case management, others believe she is ineffective in knowledge of the law, communication and due diligence. It should be noted that Judge Lawrence is actively engaged in training and education and has logged 74 hours of continuing legal education over the past year. It should also be noted that she is relatively new to the district court bench, having been appointed in September of 2024. Judge Lawrence is currently meeting or exceeding state benchmarks for timely completing cases.
Judge Lawrence has 14 years of service as a judge on the Colorado County Court bench. Throughout her judicial career, Judge Lawrence has held leadership and service roles, including President of the Colorado County Court Judges Association and membership on statewide committees focused on judicial education, access to justice, and judicial well-being. Prior to her appointment to the 21st Judicial District Court, Judge Lawrence practiced as a trial attorney handling complex commercial litigation and is admitted to practice in Colorado, New Mexico, Wisconsin, and Florida. She earned a B.A. in English and Education from Fort Lewis College, in Durango Colorado, an M.A. in Interdisciplinary Education from Adams State University, in Alamosa Colorado and a J.D. from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
2022 retention · County Court · Montezuma County
46 percentile · rank 32 of 59
composite 0100
63 percentile · rank 49 of 134
composite 0100
46 63rd percentile among peers · 48th percentile statewide
4108
Composite index 48.59 among peers (60.70 statewide): the mean of the three percentiles below. Rank orders by it.
3.50 of 4 · 42.37 percentile
2.503.90
3.52 of 4 · 44.92 percentile
2.453.93
94.00% 58.47 percentile
50.00%100.00%
Attorneys
- Say “meets standards”
- 94.00%
Non-attorneys
- Say “meets standards”
- 83.00%
| Category | Score | Peer median | Peer range (dot is this judge, line is the median) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Case Management | 3.50median 3.60 | 3.60 | |
| Application and Knowledge of Law | 3.50median 3.40 | 3.40 | |
| Communications | 3.50median 3.70 | 3.70 | |
| Diligence | 3.50median 3.60 | 3.60 | |
| Demeanor | 3.50median 3.60 | 3.60 | |
| Fairness | 3.60median 3.50 | 3.50 |
Commission: meets standards (7–0)
The Commission on Judicial Performance for the Twenty-Second Judicial District finds that Judge JenniLynn E. Lawrence MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS, by a vote of 7 – 0. 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.
The Commission found Judge Lawrence’s commitment to administering a busy court docket and her efforts to learn and grow as a judge as evidence of her integrity. It was noted that Judge Lawrence has exceeded the requirements for continuing education. The Commission reviewed several of the opinions she authored and found them to be thoughtful, well-reasoned and clearly written. During our courtroom observations, we found Judge Lawrence offers clearly spoken communications and actively listens. Commissioners observed Judge Lawrence's verbal communication skills adapt to each individual litigant. We found Judge Lawrence well prepared for cases and was willing to take a moment to review a litigant’s record to stay within precedent. We commend Judge Lawrence on appreciating the judicial learning process and staying informed about updated and amended laws. Judge Lawrence demeanor on the bench toward all court participants is respectful.
The Commission conducted a personal interview with Judge Lawrence, interviewed the Chief Judge, read a selection of legal opinions authored by Judge Lawrence, observed the Judge in court, reviewed survey responses from attorneys and non-attorneys who had experience with Judge Lawrence, and reviewed a self-evaluation prepared by Judge Lawrence for the Commission. Based on these materials and activities the Commission finds Judge Lawrence meets performance standards and is an asset to the Courts and the State of Colorado.
Judge Lawrence has served as the Montezuma County Judge for 12 years. During her tenure on the bench, she was named a Colorado Bar Foundation Fellow, she has served as the President of both the Colorado County Court Judge’s Association, and the Four Corner’s Bar Association, as well as serving on many committees, including Judicial Education, Access to Justice, and Judicial Wellbeing. She presides over a certified DUI Problem Solving Court and has taught various courses to fellow judges including a state-wide seminar on the evidentiary challenges presented by social media, bench basics video presentations on the judicial role in a DUI case and how to conduct a criminal jury trial, as well as a webinar for the National Judicial College. She is the current author of the sentencing chapter for the DUI Bench book and is working with a committee to create a county court civil trial bench book. Prior to being appointed to the bench she worked as a trial lawyer, litigating complex commercial cases before various courts. She is admitted to practice in Colorado, New Mexico, Wisconsin and Florida and has an A.V. Preeminent rating from Martindale Hubble. Judge Lawrence was born in Cortez, Colorado, graduated from Mancos Highschool, earned a B.A in English and Education from Fort Lewis College, an M.A. in Interdisciplinary Education from what is now Adam’s State University and a J.D from the University of Wisconsin.
2018 retention · County Court · Montezuma County
14 percentile · rank 61 of 71
composite 0100
14 percentile · rank 110 of 128
composite 0100
66 51st percentile among peers · 50th percentile statewide
4130
Composite index 19.48 among peers (16.67 statewide): the mean of the three percentiles below. Rank orders by it.
3.31 of 4 · 17.61 percentile
2.593.90
3.20 of 4 · 14.79 percentile
2.593.90
71.00% 26.06 percentile
0.00%100.00%
Attorneys
- Overall grade
- 2.90
- Say “meets standards”
- 71.00%
Non-attorneys
- Overall grade
- 3.48
- Say “meets standards”
- 84.00%
| Category | Score | Peer median | Peer range (dot is this judge, line is the median) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Case Management | 2.98median 3.50 | 3.50 | |
| Application and Knowledge of Law | 3.06median 3.38 | 3.38 | |
| Communications | 3.33median 3.58 | 3.58 | |
| Diligence | 3.15median 3.42 | 3.42 | |
| Demeanor | 3.17median 3.49 | 3.49 | |
| Fairness | 3.50median 3.60 | 3.60 |
Commission: meets standards (6–0)
The Twenty-Second Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously (6-0) agrees that Judge JenniLynn Lawrence MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS.
After graduating from Mancos High School, Judge Lawrence obtained her BA in English from Fort Lewis College, followed by an MA in Interdisciplinary Education from Adams State College, and then her JD from the University of Wisconsin Law School. During her 13 years of private practice, she earned the esteemed AV Preeminent rating from Martindale Hubbell; Judge Lawrence was appointed to the County Court bench for the 22nd Judicial District on November 10th, 2010. Actively involved in the community, Judge Lawrence participates in the Mesa Verde Aquatic Club swim program, serving as the parent representative. Judge Lawrence also goes to local schools to teach students about the courts and the constitution.
The Commission reviewed the results of the attorney and non-attorney surveys who had experience with Judge Lawrence, conducted unannounced courtroom observations, reviewed caseload statistics and written decisions, filled out decision/opinion review matrices, and conducted an interview with Judge Lawrence. Judge Lawrence met performance standards according to 71% of Attorneys, 84% of Total Non-Attorneys, 100% of Jurors, and 72% of Non-Attorneys Other (which includes law enforcement personnel, defendants, litigants, and witnesses); 7% of Attorneys, 8% of Total Non-Attorneys, and 12% of Non-Attorneys Other had no opinion.
Judge Lawrence presides over criminal, traffic, civil, and small claims cases. Jurors expressed appreciation for her professionalism and communication skills. Judge Lawrence received high marks on her courtroom demeanor, fairness, communications, diligence, and application of law. The Commission confirmed these traits during their courtroom observations. Judge Lawrence is often described as professional, competent, and polite by both attorneys and non-attorneys. Based on these findings, the Commission unanimously agreed Judge Lawrence meets performance standards.