Seventh Judicial District - Montrose County Court Judge
Honorable Richard J. Brown
Retention Year: 1990
Recommendation: Retain
Judicial Performance Commission’s recommendation: Should Be Retained.
Judge Brown, 45, has been the Montrose County Judge for the past 14 years. He is a graduate of the University of Nebraska Law School and was admitted to the Colorado Bar in 1973. Before becoming county judge, Judge Brown practiced law in Montrose from 1973 through 1976.
As an 80% full-time county judge, Brown presides primarily over traffic cases, domestic abuse, including restraining orders, preliminary hearings in felony criminal cases and civil cases in which claims do not involve more than $5,000.
Brown is proud of the county court’s progress in efficiently managing an ever increasing caseload. He believes jail time helps in deterrence and would like to see such sentences standardized. He believes his strengths are his ability to be a patient listener and his commitment to fairness.
The comments made by those surveyed regarding Brown’s performance were overwhelmingly positive. The respondents like Brown’s demeanor on the bench, his knowledge of the law and his ability to fashion fair results. Brown also has the support of his clerks and staff.
Brown acts as a district judge by appointment and as a settlement judge in district court cases.