Rachel J. Olguin-Fresquez

Commission: meets standards (9–0)

The Fifth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance finds that Judge Rachel J. Olguin-Fresquez in a 9-0 vote and one recusal, MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS, based on standardized judicial performance criteria.

The Commission observed that Judge Olguin-Fresquez is patient, compassionate, introspective, and possesses a desire to learn. She maintains a calm, steady demeanor on the bench, even in difficult situations. Judge Olguin-Fresquez reflects that she “strive[s] to always be a positive and trustworthy representative of the judicial system.” She identified this year at the District Court level as a year of growth, working toward becoming more proficient in new areas of law. Her District Court docket comprises approximately 7% civil litigation, 49% domestic relations, 10% juvenile, 11% mental health, 19% criminal, 1% misdemeanor, and 2% traffic cases. The Commission encourages Judge Olguin-Fresquez to continue expanding her knowledge base in domestic relations and civil matters. The Commission suggests Judge Olguin-Fresquez remain cognizant of long-term effects of her orders, especially within family law/domestic relations cases. The Commission hopes her recent legal writing training translates to producing written orders that support her verbal orders providing prompt, thorough, and clear application of the law to the parties appearing before her. This will provide greater stability for parties already struggling with civility and reduce legal financial burdens and issues for family litigants. The Commission continues to suggest she take advantage of local and Colorado-wide professional development opportunities; professionally engage with the local bar; and leverage technology for courtroom accessibility, efficiency, and time management.

The Commission conducted a personal interview with the Judge, reviewed opinions she wrote, observed her in court, and considered survey results provided by 20 attorneys and 29 non- attorneys, which was a relatively small sample. Judge Olguin-Fresquez received consistently positive reviews in her surveys from attorneys and non-attorneys, with lower marks from non- attorneys. The partial year-to-year trend showed a slight decline in overall score, which may be attributed to the smaller survey sample size this year. Management of her docket was rated at 3.7 out of 4 for Attorney responses. The most consistent constructive feedback provided in the surveys reflect a desire for more education in family law and its associated complexities, clear direction regarding case management and scheduling, and ensuring parties are provided a fair opportunity to be heard. The Commission previously made certain training and resource recommendations that the Commission felt were not pursued by Judge Olguin-Fresquez. Her Recovery Court uses best practices to strive for sobriety for the participants, setting a model for all other problem-solving courts.

Judge Olguin-Fresquez was appointed to the District Court for the Fifth Judicial District on November 1, 2022. Prior to her District Court appointment, Judge Olguin-Fresquez served as a County Court Judge, predominantly focused on criminal cases, within the Fifth Judicial District from 2006 to 2022. She prioritizes family and is active in her church, the local soccer program, and Habitat for Humanity. She is also working towards a more active role in Our Courts Colorado.

State evaluation page · 2024 survey report (PDF)

Commission: meets standards (10–0)

The Fifth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously (10-0) agrees that Eagle County Court Judge Rachel J. Olguin-Fresquez MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS based on the following judicial performance criteria: Integrity, legal knowledge, communication skills, judicial temperament, administrative performance, and service to the legal profession and the public.

Judge Olguin-Fresquez presides over traffic cases, misdemeanors, felonies, County Court civil cases and Small Claims cases. Based on the Commission’s overall evaluation, Judge Olguin-Fresquez has demonstrated she meets or exceeds performance standards in all categories. Judge Olguin-Fresquez received consistently positive reviews in her surveys from attorneys and non-attorneys. Judge Olguin-Fresquez is quick to acknowledge that case management is an area that needs attention, and she appears to be constantly searching for ways to improve her case management and docket flow. The Commission concludes that Judge Olguin-Fresquez is working diligently to address case management issues.

The Commission conducted a personal interview with the Judge, reviewed opinions she wrote, observed her in court, looked at a case management report, interviewed the Public Defender, District Attorney, and the Chief Judge, and considered surveys sent to attorneys and non-attorneys in 2019-2020. Twenty-eight attorneys and 2 non- attorneys completed the survey. Of attorneys who completed the survey, 85% said Judge Olguin-Fresquez does meet performance standards, 12% said does not meet performance standards and the remainder had no opinion. Of non-attorneys completing the survey, 100% said Judge Olguin-Fresquez does meet performance standards. Judge Olguin-Fresquez is held in high regard by the attorneys and non- attorneys who appear before her. She is proud to serve, truly enjoys her work and strives to improve her performance by participating in continuing education and keeping current with changes in the laws. She frequently attends continuing legal education programs like the annual Judicial Conference, the National Judicial College in Reno, Nevada, the annual Colorado Collaborative Justice Conference, and other online trainings. The Commission finds her writing and decisions easy to read, concise, and exceptionally well written.

Judge Olguin-Fresquez is a Colorado native who graduated from the University of Colorado in Boulder with a degree in Sociology and a Colorado Elementary Teaching Certificate. She taught K-2 for three years before attending Tulane University School of Law in New Orleans, LA. She worked as a Deputy District Attorney in the Fifth District from 1999 until her appointment to the Clear Creek County Court bench in 2006. Since appointment to the County Court bench in Eagle County January 17, 2018, and relocating to Eagle County, Judge Olguin-Fresquez has served on the Colorado Judicial Discipline Committee, been the judicial officer on the Eagle RISE (DUI recovery) Court team and the Fifth Judicial District Recovery Court Steering Committee.

State evaluation page · 2020 survey report (PDF)

Commission: meets standards (9–0)

The Fifth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance in a 9-0 vote recommends that Judge Rachel J. Olguin-Fresquez BE RETAINED. There was one member absent. Judge Olguin-Fresquez was appointed to the Clear Creek County Court in the 5th Judicial District on May 5, 2006. Judge Olguin-Fresquez is a Colorado native who graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder with a degree in Sociology and a Colorado Elementary Teaching Certificate. She taught K-2 for three years before attending Tulane University School of Law were she received her law degree. Prior to her appointment to the bench she was Chief Deputy District Attorney for the Colorado Fifth Judicial District.

The Commission conducted a personal interview with the Judge, reviewed opinions she wrote, observed her in court, looked at a case management report, interviewed the Public Defender, District Attorney, law enforcement and the Chief Judge, and considered surveys sent to attorneys and non-attorneys in 2015- 2016. Of attorneys who completed the survey, 94% recommended retention and 6% did not make a recommendation on retention. Of non-attorneys completing the survey, 88% recommended retention, 8% not to retain, and 4% made no recommendation. Judge Olguin-Fresquez is held in high regard by the Commission, as well as the attorneys and non-attorneys that appear before her. She truly enjoys her work and strives to improve her performance by participating in continuing education and keeping current with changes in the laws. She frequently attends continuing legal education programs on civil law issues because they comprise a smaller part of her caseload with fewer trials than in her larger criminal docket. Judge Fresquez anticipates presiding over future problem solving courts in the District as well as connecting with the Clear Creek County School District to address ongoing issues related to school and community safety. The Commission finds her writing and decisions easy to read, concise, and exceptionally well written. Judge Olguin-Fresquez is keenly aware of the Victims Rights Amendment and makes every effort to make sure victims are aware of proceedings. Overall, her survey marks were high and reflect her commitment to justice. She explains her rulings in language more easily understood by non-attorney participants and makes every effort to make both plaintiffs and defendants feel they are being treated fairly.

State evaluation page · 2016 survey report (PDF)