Elizabeth D. Leith

Commission: meets standards (10–0)

The Second Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously agrees by a vote of 10-0 that Judge Elizabeth D. Leith MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS. The Colorado statutory judicial performance criteria are integrity, legal knowledge, communication skills, judicial temperament, administrative performance, and service to the legal profession and the public.

Judge Leith presides over matters in the Denver Probate Court. Judge Leith meets all aspects of the performance criteria on which she is evaluated. The Commission found Judge Leith to be an experienced and hardworking jurist who demonstrates judicial efficiency and exceptional judicial demeanor. Judge Leith’s written decisions are definitive, thorough, and well-reasoned. Her notable strengths, as observed by the Commission and described in survey responses, include her deep knowledge of probate and mental health law, her fair and respectful treatment of parties, and her ability to manage effectively complex and emotionally difficult cases. The Commission, based on its observation and analysis of survey responses, did not identify any evaluation category in which Judge Leith displayed a notable weakness as to the performance criteria. Because of the unique nature and complexity of mental health and probate cases, there are no productivity benchmarks.

The Commission met with the Chief Judge of Denver District Court to discuss challenges facing the court system and also met with the Denver District Attorney, a representative of the Denver Office of the Colorado State Public Defender, and the Public Administrator of Denver Probate Court. The Commission conducted a personal interview with Judge Leith and observed her during court proceedings. It also reviewed opinions she authored, comments received from interested parties during the evaluation, case management data, and judicial performance survey responses from attorneys and non-attorneys who interacted with her. The surveys reflected personal opinions regarding Judge Leith in the categories of case management, application and knowledge of the law, communications, diligence, demeanor, and fairness. A total of 35 attorneys and 8 non-attorneys responded to the judicial performance surveys expressing their opinion of Judge Leith. The overall information and data reviewed supports the Commission’s recommendation that Judge Leith meets performance standards.

Judge Leith was appointed to serve as the Presiding Judge for Denver Probate Court in July 2011. Prior to her appointment, Judge Leith served as a Magistrate Judge in Denver District Court, an Assistant City Attorney for the Denver City Attorney’s Office, and a Deputy District Attorney in El Paso and Teller County. Judge Leith serves on multiple Supreme Court and judicial branch committees and is a judicial coach and mentor for other judicial officers. Judge Leith received her undergraduate degree from Metropolitan State University of Denver and her law degree from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law.

State evaluation page · 2026 survey report (PDF)

Commission: meets standards (10–0)

The Second Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance, on a vote of 10-0, unanimously finds that Presiding Judge Elizabeth D. Leith MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS.

After meeting with Judge Leith, reviewing her work over the last 6 years, observing her in court, and assessing feedback from attorneys and non- attorneys, the Commission concludes that Judge Leith excels in all of the categories of performance standards the Commission reviews. Judge Leith had notably high performance in case management, application and knowledge of the law, communications, diligence, and demeanor. During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Judge Leith utilized technology to ensure her courtroom could continue operations. For instance, Judge Leith has collaborated with Denver Health Hospital and the Denver City Attorney’s office to establish an online remote court to serve the hospital’s mental health unit. Judge Leith also worked with the Denver Health Hospital and the City Jail and Detention facility to establish a remote court in Denver’s Criminal Court.

The Commission reviewed survey results of attorneys, appellate court judges, and non-attorneys, and several of Judge Leith’s written opinions. Commissioners also observed Judge Leith in court and interviewed her as part of their review. Of 61 attorneys who responded to surveys about Judge Leith, 91% indicated Judge Leith met performance standards, 2% indicated she did not meet performance standards, and 7% had no opinion. Of 6 non- attorneys who responded to the survey, 83% indicated Judge Leith met performance standards and 17% indicated she did not. Judge Leith received survey scores above the state average for district court judges in most categories. Written comments with the survey results offer further support for the Commission’s recommendation to retain Judge Leith. Attorneys affirmed that Judge Leith is efficient, polite, impartial, and diligent, and that she has strong communication skills and a good judicial demeanor, is “steadfast in her duty to the public,” knows the law, and maintains good case management. Non-attorneys commented on Judge Leith’s compassion, patience, and kindness. Governor Hickenlooper appointed Judge Leith to the Denver Probate Court in July 2011. Before her appointment, Judge Leith served as a domestic court magistrate judge in Denver District Court; as an Assistant Denver City Attorney in the Human Services Section; as a Deputy District Attorney; and as a private practice attorney. Judge Leith earned her undergraduate degree from Metropolitan State College in 1982 and her law degree from the University of Denver in 1988. In addition to her successful efforts to improve the operations of the Probate court, Judge Leith serves on the Chief Judges Council, on the Colorado Supreme Court’s Probate Rules, Civil Jury Instructions, and Judicial Education Committees, and as Chair of the Probate Advisory Workgroup in the State Court Administrator’s Office. She also engages in community service through her church. During the current term, Judge Leith has presided over the probate court.

State evaluation page · 2020 survey report (PDF)