2026 retention · County Court · Hinsdale County
The state did not publish a 2026 survey report: too few responses. This evaluation is not ranked.
Commission: meets standards (9–0)
The Seventh Judicial District Judicial Performance Commission unanimously agrees, by a vote of 9-0, with one Commission vacancy, that Judge James R. McDonald MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS.
The Commission interviewed Judge McDonald via zoom video conference on April 24, 2026, with various committee members observing him in Court, either in person or via electronic means. The Commission also spoke with representatives of the District Attorney’s Office and the Public Defender’s Office, and the Chief District Court Judge for the Seventh Judicial District.
Judge McDonald’s docket consists of civil and criminal cases. Judge McDonald was prepared for his hearings and generally did a good job of ensuring that all within his court room understood the proceedings and the matter at hand. Judge McDonald was observed as having a bit of an informal or colloquial approach, which while appreciated by some, was noted as being a bit too informal by others. It is clear to the Commission that Judge McDonald meets performance standards.
Judge McDonald was appointed to the Hinsdale County bench in May of 2020. He has been an attorney in private practice for nearly thirty years. McDonald was appointed as the Gunnison Municipal Judge in May 2005 and continues to serve as municipal court judge in five Colorado municipalities. He also serves as a weekend bond hearing magistrate for the State of Colorado. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of California at Berkeley, and his Juris Doctor from Vermont Law School.
2022 retention · County Court · Hinsdale County
No survey report was published for this cycle. This evaluation is not ranked.
Commission: meets standards
The Seventh Judicial District Judicial Performance Commission agrees that Judge James R. McDonald MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS, with a unanimous agreement among the commissioners who interviewed Judge McDonald. 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 McDonald enjoys being a judicial officer and is an accomplished asset to the Court, with his prior and current service as a municipal judge for several Colorado municipalities. It is the opinion of the Commission that Judge McDonald does a good job managing his docket and case load as County Court Judge for Hinsdale County. While relatively new to the bench, we believe that Judge McDonald’s prior experience as a municipal court judge will assist him as a County Court Judge. Despite his limited prior experience, the Commission believes that Judge McDonald meets performance standards.
The Commission interviewed Judge McDonald via zoom video conference and in person on June 7, 2022, with various committee members observing him in Court, either in person or via electronic means. The Commission also spoke with representatives of the District Attorney’s Office and the Public Defender’s Office, and the Chief District Court Judge for the Seventh Judicial District.
Judge McDonald was appointed to the bench in May of 2020. Prior to his appointment, Judge McDonald was an attorney in private practice for over twenty-five years. Judge McDonald continues to serve as Municipal Court Judge for the City of Alamosa and for the City of Gunnison.