2024 retention · District Court · 19th Judicial District
58 percentile · rank 22 of 52
composite 0100
57 percentile · rank 45 of 107
composite 0100
57 89th percentile among peers · 90th percentile statewide
14112
Composite index 58.97 among peers (56.23 statewide): the mean of the three percentiles below. Rank orders by it.
3.30 of 4 · 60.58 percentile
2.303.80
3.28 of 4 · 62.50 percentile
2.273.80
86.00% 53.85 percentile
29.00%100.00%
Attorneys
- Say “meets standards”
- 86.00%
Non-attorneys
- Say “meets standards”
- 33.00%
| Category | Score | Peer median | Peer range (dot is this judge, line is the median) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Case Management | 3.50median 3.30 | 3.30 | |
| Application and Knowledge of Law | 3.00median 3.10 | 3.10 | |
| Communications | 3.30median 3.30 | 3.30 | |
| Diligence | 3.20median 3.20 | 3.20 | |
| Demeanor | 3.50median 3.20 | 3.20 | |
| Fairness | 3.20median 3.10 | 3.10 |
Commission: meets standards (8–0)
The Nineteenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance finds the Honorable Todd L. Taylor MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS in all areas by a u nanimous vote of 8-0, with two members absent.
Judge Todd Taylor presides over Colorado’s Water Court Division 1 and Division 4 of the 19 th Judicial District over civil matters. The commission utilized participant surveys, courtroom observations, and a personal interview to determine the results and were impressed with Judge Taylor’s demeanor and fairness in the courtroom. He makes every effort to be impartial and not show favor to one side or the other. In the courtroom, Judge Taylor listens to each party with fairness and impartiality, works diligently to keep cases on schedule, and inspires confidence in the integrity of the judicial process. Judge Taylor’s decisions reviewed by the commission show concern for the parties' positions, not only as to the law, but to the interests of all parties involved. Judge Taylor’s experience and knowledge were apparent during the commission’s interview. To further enrich the determination, written decisions were also reviewed and helped in weighing his legal knowledge and written communication skills. Judge Taylor was involved with hospice work through Northern Colorado Medical Center hospital sitting with terminally ill patients who had no family available and found this effort immensely satisfying and rewarding. Since COVID 19 he has had to refrain from such volunteer work. Judge Taylor is actively involved with judicial education and has made frequent presentations at Judicial conferences. He volunteers his services as a DJ to various organizations, including a local radio station, and has recently begun volunteering to assist with the annual Greeley Blues Jam event.
Survey reports from attorneys and non-attorneys alike were generally favorable to Judge Taylor with a score of 3.3 out of 4.0 from a total of 57 responses. Commission members made visits to his courtroom and observed his judicial temperament and made determinations as to his integrity and communication skills. His record as to his schedule and the timeliness of his ruling were also reviewed.
Judge Taylor was appointed as a 19th Judicial district court judge in 2010. Before his appointment, Judge Taylor practiced in the areas of civil litigation, family law, and criminal defense as a partner at Henderson, Taylor & Rapp, and later, Taylor & Rapp. He also served as a municipal judge for the Town of Gilcrest, a deputy district attorney, and a staff attorney for the Legal Services Corporation in Washington, D.C. Judge Taylor graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder with honors, magna cum laude, and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. He received his juris doctor degree from Georgetown University Law Center, where his honors included an American Jurisprudence Award.
2018 retention · District Court · 19th Judicial District
62 percentile · rank 20 of 52
composite 0100
61 percentile · rank 50 of 128
composite 0100
56 29th percentile among peers · 33rd percentile statewide
29158
Composite index 58.65 among peers (58.72 statewide): the mean of the three percentiles below. Rank orders by it.
3.57 of 4 · 55.77 percentile
2.963.81
3.58 of 4 · 64.42 percentile
2.913.86
87.00% 55.77 percentile
44.00%100.00%
Attorneys
- Overall grade
- 3.49
- Say “meets standards”
- 87.00%
Non-attorneys
- Overall grade
- 3.67
- Say “meets standards”
- 92.00%
| Category | Score | Peer median | Peer range (dot is this judge, line is the median) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Case Management | 3.62median 3.49 | 3.49 | |
| Application and Knowledge of Law | 3.52median 3.43 | 3.43 | |
| Communications | 3.56median 3.58 | 3.58 | |
| Diligence | 3.54median 3.50 | 3.50 | |
| Demeanor | 3.67median 3.51 | 3.51 | |
| Fairness | 3.60median 3.59 | 3.59 |
Commission: meets standards (10–0)
The Nineteenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously agrees (10-0) that Judge Todd L. Taylor MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS.
Judge Taylor was appointed to the Weld County District Court bench in August of 2010. Prior to appointment, Judge Taylor was in private practice. Judge Taylor completed his undergraduate studies in 1987 earning a BA from the University of Colorado. He received his law degree in 1991 from Georgetown University Law Center. Judge Taylor was raised in Weld County and is an active member of this community. His community service efforts are focused on educational programs where he speaks to students of all ages about the court and legal system and providing companionship to hospice patients.
The Commission conducted a personal interview with Judge Taylor, reviewed opinions he had authored, observed him in court and reviewed survey responses from attorneys and non-attorneys who had experience with Judge Taylor. Among the survey questions was “based on your responses to the previous questions related to the performance evaluation criteria, do you believe Judge Taylor meets the judicial performance standards? Of the attorneys responding 87% answered yes, Judge Taylor meets performance standards, 13% answered no, Judge Taylor does not meet performance standards. (These percentages may not total 100% due to rounding) Of the non-attorneys answering the survey 92% answered yes, Judge Taylor meets performance standards, 8% answered no Judge Taylor does not meet performance standards. A total of 31 attorneys and 25 non-attorneys responded to the survey expressing their opinion of Judge Taylor’s performance.
During this term, Judge Taylor has presided primarily over a civil docket. Before being assigned to the civil docket, Judge Taylor was assigned a criminal docket. In addition to the civil docket he has also heard probate cases, was the alternate water Judge and more recently, has been assigned domestic relations cases. Based on the Commission’s overall evaluation, Judge Taylor has demonstrated that he meets or exceeds performance standards in all categories. Non-attorneys were more critical of Judge Taylor’s communication skills and the survey results reflect a slightly lower rating when compared to attorney responses. During the interview with the Commission, Judge Taylor explained how he is an advocate of plain English to allow all parties in the courtroom to understand what is taking place. He likes to make clear how he makes his decisions, what law applies and why he is making the decision. Attorneys in the survey stated his rulings were clear and timely. The Commission is satisfied that Judge Taylor is aware of the survey results and continues to make certain all parties in his courtroom understand his decisions. Judge Taylor received high marks for application and knowledge of law, demeanor, case management and diligence. Judge Taylor has been described as respectful to all participants in his courtroom, being fair and running his courtroom in an efficient manner. The Commission observed these traits during the evaluation and interview with Judge Taylor. Based on these findings the Commission unanimously agreed that Judge Taylor meets judicial performance standards.