2026 retention · County Court · Larimer County
6 percentile · rank 34 of 36
composite 0100
7 percentile · rank 100 of 108
composite 0100
29 79th percentile among peers · 71st percentile statewide
1060
Composite index 14.81 among peers (14.20 statewide): the mean of the three percentiles below. Rank orders by it.
2.80 of 4 · 19.44 percentile
1.903.80
2.83 of 4 · 15.28 percentile
1.873.75
50.00% 9.72 percentile
0.00%100.00%
Attorneys
- Say “meets standards”
- 50.00%
Non-attorneys
- Say “meets standards”
- 81.00%
| Category | Score | Peer median | Peer range (dot is this judge, line is the median) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Case Management | 2.70median 3.30 | 3.30 | |
| Application and Knowledge of Law | 2.80median 3.20 | 3.20 | |
| Communications | 3.10median 3.40 | 3.40 | |
| Diligence | 2.80median 3.30 | 3.30 | |
| Demeanor | 2.90median 3.30 | 3.30 | |
| Fairness | 2.70median 3.10 | 3.10 |
| Year | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grade | 3.70 | 3.40 | 3.60 | 3.40 | 3.40 | 2.90 |
| Responses | 41 | 60 | 59 | 45 | 36 | 23 |
Commission: meets standards (8–0)
The Eighth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance finds that Judge Thomas L. Lynch MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS by a vote of 8-0 with one commissioner absent and one commission vacancy. The judicial performance standards are integrity, legal knowledge, communication skills, judicial temperament, administrative performance, and service to the legal profession and public.
Judge Lynch believes in the importance of a streamlined and efficient courtroom. He has developed innovative processes to support these efforts. Examples include making local service providers available in his courtroom to assist in the use of Medically Guided Treatment Supervision and encourages utilizing free mediation services in landlord tenant cases. Judge Lynch employs specific processes and requirements for virtual appearances. He identifies limitations of the current virtual technology. Through his written procedures, he strives to ensure that courtroom decorum is maintained. Judge Lynch is currently participating in a pilot program for virtual appearances utilizing a new more secure and dedicated program developed exclusively for use in courtroom settings. The Commission believes that Judge Lynch is a competent and capable judicial officer. He is respectful and ensures that parties feel heard in his courtroom. His demeanor is calm and professional when addressing those appearing before him. The Commission believes that Judge Lynch is an asset to the Courts and the State of Colorado.
For this evaluation, the Commission interviewed Judge Lynch, read a selection of his legal opinions, observed him in court, reviewed his judicial performance survey report, interviewed the chief judge for the district, the district attorney and head of the public defenders’ office for the district, reviewed case management statistics, and reviewed his self-evaluation. As to the survey data, a total of 23 individuals, 11 attorneys and 12 non-attorneys, completed the survey, which is a markedly low response rate. Given the significantly low response rates to the surveys overall, the Commission gave the appropriate weight to the survey responses in its evaluation.
Judge Lynch was appointed as a Larimer County Court Judge by Governor Bill Ritter and took the bench in December 2010. His experience prior to the bench includes service as a deputy district attorney and non-legal work in the private sector. Judge Lynch received his Bachelor of Science degree in computer science and his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Wyoming.
2022 retention · County Court · Larimer County
55 percentile · rank 27 of 59
composite 0100
67 percentile · rank 44 of 134
composite 0100
63 85th percentile among peers · 79th percentile statewide
4108
Composite index 56.21 among peers (66.04 statewide): the mean of the three percentiles below. Rank orders by it.
3.60 of 4 · 63.56 percentile
2.503.90
3.62 of 4 · 66.95 percentile
2.453.93
88.00% 38.14 percentile
50.00%100.00%
Attorneys
- Say “meets standards”
- 88.00%
Non-attorneys
- Say “meets standards”
- 89.00%
| Category | Score | Peer median | Peer range (dot is this judge, line is the median) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Case Management | 3.60median 3.60 | 3.60 | |
| Application and Knowledge of Law | 3.40median 3.40 | 3.40 | |
| Communications | 3.70median 3.70 | 3.70 | |
| Diligence | 3.60median 3.60 | 3.60 | |
| Demeanor | 3.70median 3.60 | 3.60 | |
| Fairness | 3.70median 3.50 | 3.50 |
Commission: meets standards Split vote 7–3
The Eighth Judicial District Judicial Performance Commission on votes 7-3 that Judge Thomas L. Lynch 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 Lynch presides over criminal, misdemeanor, traffic, civil, and small claims cases. Judge Lynch is known as a respectful, patient, and kind judge. He communicates well and is generally perceived to be fair. Over this past term, Judge Lynch successfully addressed concerns regarding long wait times experienced in his courtroom by restructuring his docket. The Commission encourages Judge Lynch to continue to work on improving efficiency in managing his dockets and issuing rulings. Concerns have been raised about Judge Lynch’s demeanor outside the courtroom, which has been described as inflexible, especially when other organizations approach him with suggestions for modifying courtroom processes. The Commission encourages Judge Lynch to be more open-minded to change and allow for flexibility when warranted. The Commission recognizes that Judge Lynch has shown initiative to implement beneficial programs in his courtroom.
The Commission conducted a personal interview with Judge Lynch, reviewed opinions he authored, observed him in court, and reviewed judicial performance survey responses from attorneys and non-attorneys who appeared in Judge Lynch’s courtroom. The Commission also met with representatives of the District Attorney’s Office and the Office of the Public Defender. A total of sixty-three individuals, thirty attorneys and thirty-three non-attorneys, believed they had sufficient knowledge to express their opinion of Judge Lynch. When asked whether Judge Lynch meets performance standards: Of the attorneys responding to the survey, 88% answered yes, 8% answered no, and 4% had no opinion. Of the non-attorneys responding to the survey, 89% answered yes, 7% answered no, and 4% had no opinion. Judge Lynch received particularly high ratings in the areas of demeanor and fairness.
Judge Lynch was appointed as a County Court Judge in the 8th Judicial District in December of 2010. Judge Lynch received his undergraduate degree and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Wyoming. Prior to his appointment, Judge Lynch worked as a Deputy District Attorney in the 8th Judicial District.
2018 retention · County Court · Larimer County
75 percentile · rank 18 of 71
composite 0100
73 percentile · rank 35 of 128
composite 0100
86 75th percentile among peers · 74th percentile statewide
4130
Composite index 69.95 among peers (69.14 statewide): the mean of the three percentiles below. Rank orders by it.
3.62 of 4 · 63.38 percentile
2.593.90
3.62 of 4 · 72.54 percentile
2.593.90
92.00% 73.94 percentile
0.00%100.00%
Attorneys
- Overall grade
- 3.67
- Say “meets standards”
- 92.00%
Non-attorneys
- Overall grade
- 3.61
- Say “meets standards”
- 92.00%
| Category | Score | Peer median | Peer range (dot is this judge, line is the median) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Case Management | 3.52median 3.50 | 3.50 | |
| Application and Knowledge of Law | 3.51median 3.38 | 3.38 | |
| Communications | 3.77median 3.58 | 3.58 | |
| Diligence | 3.66median 3.42 | 3.42 | |
| Demeanor | 3.70median 3.49 | 3.49 | |
| Fairness | 3.60median 3.60 | 3.60 |
Commission: meets standards
The Eighth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously finds that Judge Thomas L. Lynch MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS.
Judge Lynch was appointed to the Larimer County Court in 2010. Prior to his appointment, he served as a Deputy District Attorney in Larimer County and was engaged in non-legal work in the private sector. Judge Lynch received both his Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Wyoming. As a Larimer County Trial Court Judge, Judge Lynch presides over criminal, traffic, and civil cases, including small claims.
The Commission conducted a personal interview with Judge Lynch, reviewed opinions he authored, observed him in court, reviewed comments received from the Chief Judge, District Attorneys and Public Defenders Offices during the evaluation process, and reviewed survey responses from attorneys and non-attorneys who had experience with Judge Lynch. When survey respondents were asked “Do you think Judge Lynch meets performance standards?” 92% of the attorneys and non-attorneys responding concluded that Judge Lynch meets judicial performance standards. Among the attorneys responding, 92% said Judge Lynch meets performance standards and 8% said he does not meet performance standards. Among the non-attorneys responding, 92% said Judge Lynch meets performance standards, 5% said he does not meet performance standards, and 3% had no opinion. A total of 24 attorneys and 62 non-attorneys responded to the judicial performance surveys regarding Judge Lynch. When evaluating whether a judge meets performance standards, the Commission considers the following criteria: Case Management, Knowledge and Application of Law, Communications, Diligence, Demeanor, and Fairness.
Judge Lynch received excellent ratings in the areas of judicial temperament, communication and demeanor. Judge Lynch received high marks from both attorneys and non-attorneys who responded to the survey questions in the areas of diligence and knowledge and application of the law. Judge Lynch keeps current with the law by attending judicial conferences and tracking emerging case law. Because of concerns regarding pre-hearing preparation raised during the evaluation process, the Commission recommends that Judge Lynch be more proactive in reviewing and researching specific legal issues for upcoming hearings. Comments regarding Judge Lynch’s docket management identified the slow pace of proceedings in his courtroom, however, the Commission values his efforts to ensure fair treatment and clear communication, over the speed of proceedings. The Commission finds that Judge Lynch conducts himself in a highly professional manner, and treats all parties with dignity and respect. Judge Lynch is self-reflective and willing to incorporate feedback. The Commission believes he is a strong judge whose performance will continue to meet and exceed performance standards.