David C. Taylor

Commission: meets standards (10–0)

The First Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously agrees by a vote of 10-0 that Judge David C. Taylor 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 Taylor is a County Court Judge in the First Judicial District and presides over cases in Gilpin County. Judge Taylor is described as prepared for dockets; he keeps cases moving through his courtroom, while being respectful to those appearing before him. Judge Taylor has a good understanding of the law and takes the time to read and know case law appropriate to the cases he hears. He is open to feedback and is always learning and willing to improve his craft. His rulings are clear, understandable, and fair. He takes the time to ensure everyone in the courtroom understands his rulings. Judge Taylor is praised for his diligence and communication skills. He is described as calm, professional, adaptable, empathetic, and well- tempered. He is a good and respectful listener. Surveys commend him for allowing sufficient time for each side to be heard. Judge Taylor’s judicial demeanor is observed to be excellent. Survey reviews praise Judge Taylor for his communication style and his ability to help those in his courtroom understand his rulings, the law upon which they are based, and his expectations. Judge Taylor runs a casual courtroom, appropriate for the community he serves, and gives credit to the clerk’s office for substantially contributing to the court’s efficiency. He works hard to stay engaged in the First Judicial District events while serving in a remote location.

The Commission conducted a personal interview with Judge Taylor, reviewed opinions he authored, observed him in court, reviewed the 2022 Judicial Performance Survey Report from attorneys and non-attorneys appearing before him, as well as received feedback from the Office of the State Public Defender and the First Judicial District Attorney's Office. Based on the Commission’s evaluation, Judge Taylor demonstrated that he meets or exceeds performance standards in all categories under review: case management, application and knowledge of the law, communications, diligence, demeanor, and fairness.

Judge Taylor has served as a County Court Judge in Gilpin County since 2015. Prior to his appointment, Judge Taylor worked as a staff attorney for the Fifth Judicial District (Clear Creek, Lake, Eagle, and Summit counties). He also spent time in private practice, which included civil, criminal, business, domestic relations, estate planning, and property law. Outside the courtroom, Judge Taylor was a lieutenant for Timberline Fire Department, a position he has since resigned. He received his undergraduate degree from Mary Washington College in 2002 and his Juris Doctor from Wake Forest University in 2005.

La Comisión sobre Desempeño Judicial del Primer Distrito Judicial acuerda por unanimidad, con un voto de 10-0, que el Juez David C. Taylor CUMPLE CON LAS NORMAS DE DESEMPEÑO. Las normas de desempeño judicial de las leyes de Colorado son integridad, conocimiento de la ley, habilidades de comunicación, temperamento judicial, desempeño administrativo y servicio a la profesión jurídica y al público.

El Juez Taylor es juez del Tribunal del condado en el Primer Distrito Judicial y supervisa los casos en el condado de Gilpin. El Juez Taylor se caracteriza por estar preparado para los expedientes: mantiene los casos en movimiento a través de su tribunal, mientras que es respetuoso con los que comparecen ante él. El Juez Taylor tiene una buena comprensión de la ley y dedica el tiempo necesario a leer y conocer la jurisprudencia apropiada para los casos que atiende. Está abierto a los comentarios y siempre está aprendiendo y dispuesto a mejorar su oficio. Sus decisiones son claras, comprensibles y justas. Dedica el tiempo necesario a asegurarse de que todos los presentes en el tribunal comprendan sus decisiones. El Juez Taylor es elogiado por su diligencia y sus habilidades de comunicación. Se lo describe como tranquilo, profesional, adaptable, empático y de buen carácter. Es respetuoso y buen oyente. Según las encuestas, se lo elogia por otorgar el tiempo suficiente para que cada parte sea escuchada. La conducta judicial del Juez Taylor se observa como excelente. En los comentarios de las encuestas, se elogia al Juez Taylor por su estilo de comunicación y su capacidad para ayudar a los presentes en su sala a entender sus fallos, la ley en la que se basan y sus expectativas. El Juez Taylor está a cargo de un tribunal informal, apropiado para la comunidad a la que sirve, y da crédito a la secretaría por contribuir de manera sustancial a la eficiencia del tribunal. Se esfuerza por mantenerse involucrado en los eventos del Primer Distrito Judicial mientras trabaja a distancia.

La Comisión efectuó una entrevista personal con el Juez Taylor, revisó opiniones de su autoría, lo observó en el tribunal, analizó el informe de la encuesta de desempeño judicial de 2022 de los abogados y no abogados que comparecen ante él, y también recibió comentarios de la Defensoría Pública del estado y de la Fiscalía del Primer Distrito Judicial. Conforme a la evaluación de la Comisión, el Juez Taylor demostró que cumple con las normas de desempeño o las excede en todas las categorías objeto de revisión: gestión de casos, aplicación y conocimiento de la ley, comunicaciones, diligencia, actitud y ecuanimidad.

El Juez Taylor se ha desempeñado como juez del Tribunal del condado de Gilpin desde 2015. Antes de su nombramiento, el Juez Taylor trabajó como abogado del personal del Quinto Distrito Judicial (condados de Clear Creek, Lake, Eagle y Summit). Durante un tiempo, también ejerció de manera privada en materia de ley civil, penal, comercial, de relaciones domésticas, de planificación patrimonial y de propiedad. Fuera del tribunal, el Juez Taylor fue teniente del Departamento de Bomberos de Timberline, cargo al que ya renunció. Recibió licenciatura de pregrado del Mary Washington College en 2002 y su doctorado en Jurisprudencia en la Universidad Wake Forest en 2005.

State evaluation page · 2022 survey report (PDF)

Commission: meets standards (10–0)

The First Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously (10-0) agrees that Judge David C. Taylor MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS.

Since January 2015, Judge Taylor has served as a part-time County Court Judge for Gilpin County. Prior to his appointment, Judge Taylor worked in private practice and was a Staff Attorney for the 5th Judicial District where he continues to serve part-time. Outside the courtroom Judge Taylor was a lieutenant for Timberline Fire Department, a position he has since resigned. He received his undergraduate degree from Mary Washington College in 2002 and his Juris Doctor from Wake Forest University in 2005.

The Commission conducted a formal interview with Judge Taylor, read opinions he authored, observed him in court, listened to feedback from interested parties, and reviewed survey responses from attorneys, non-attorneys, jurors, and other public figures who had experience with Judge Taylor. Because of his limited time on the bench only 60 individuals, including 5 attorneys, had sufficient experience with Judge Taylor to comment on his performance. Of the 60 respondents, all attorneys indicated that Judge Taylor meets performance standards, 84% of non-attorneys agreed, 7% of non-attorneys felt Judge Taylor does not meet performance standards and 9% had no opinion. Comments from survey respondents and the Commission’s other interviews noted that Judge Taylor faces unique challenges because his part time status, overcrowding in the Gilpin County jail, and increased case filings. Despite these challenges, Judge Taylor received praise for efficient case management and his respectful demeanor in Court. Judge Taylor’s experience in rural environments has thus far shown to be an asset to his understanding, patience and enthusiasm for confronting many of those issues.

Based on the Commission’s evaluation, Judge Taylor demonstrated that he meets or exceeds performance standards in all categories: case management, application and knowledge of the law, communications, diligence, demeanor, and fairness. Judge Taylor also received positive responses for his clear communications with all parties. He efficiently relies on his limited staff resources and other professionals, such as probation representatives, to inform his options for sentencing. Judge Taylor places a high value on fairness and is regarded by most to be fair in his sentencing and treatment of all who come before him. His knowledge and application of the law, although tempered by his inexperience on the bench, received above average ratings. Rural and gaming counties such as Gilpin County face additional challenges such as the fact that the vast majority of arrests in the County do not involve residents but non-resident visitors drawn to the casinos and large special events. The Commission found Judge Taylor to be patient, hard-working, and caring. He is committed to continuing to improve his skills as a judge and to serve people and uphold the law. Based on these findings, the Commission unanimously agreed that Judge Taylor meets judicial performance standards.

State evaluation page · 2018 survey report (PDF)