Twentieth Judicial District - District Court Judge
Honorable J. Keith Collins
Retention Year: 2024
Recommendation: Meets Performance Standards
Reports:
2024 Retention Survey Report (PDF)
2023 Interim Survey Report (PDF)
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The Twentieth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance, by a vote of 10-0, finds that Judge J. Keith Collins MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS.
Since Judge Collins’ appointment in 2021, he has presided primarily over domestic relations, probate, and civil cases. The Commission finds Judge Collins to be empathetic, well-prepared for court, fair, knowledgeable about the law, and a proactive problem solver. He is passionate about making sure all sides are heard and considered. Earnest in his desire that all litigants have access to justice, he takes time to explain decisions clearly, while being efficient in handling a heavy docket. His written decisions are clear and well explained. His peers report that he is excellent at making an effective record of sentencing decisions. Judge Collins is self-aware and modest, stating that he is “challenged every day to grow and learn.”
The Commission on Judicial Performance evaluates judges on six standards: legal knowledge, communication, administrative performance, integrity, judicial temperament, and service to the legal profession. To evaluate Judge Collins’ performance the Commission observed him in court, reviewed opinions he authored, considered his self-evaluation, held a public meeting to invite comments, and reviewed responses to a survey distributed to all persons who have appeared in his court. The Commission also conducted personal interviews with Judge Collins, the Chief Judge, the District Attorney, and a representative of the Boulder defense bar.
Judge Collins was appointed as a District Judge in May 2021. Prior to that he served as a District Court Magistrate from March 2019-May 2021. He was a magistrate for the City and County of Denver, a judge pro-tem for the City of Westminster, a criminal defense attorney, and later served as a deputy district attorney. He was a founding partner of the Boulder law firm, Collins, Rafik and Jacobsen. He received an undergraduate degree from Davenport University in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and his law degree from the University of Denver College of Law. Judge Collins is a regular guest speaker at a local high school and volunteers to judge high school and college mock trial competitions. He serves as a member of the State Jury Instruction committee.