Seventh Judicial District - District Court Judge
Honorable Dennis P. Friedrich
Retention Year: 2004
Recommendation: Retain
Reports:
The Seventh Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance recommends that Judge Dennis P. Friedrich BE RETAINED. Of the 9-member Commission, 8 were eligible to vote; all 8 voted in favor to recommend retention.
Judge Friedrich is a graduate of Detroit College of Law. Before moving to Colorado in 1985, he spent a year and a half as a judicial clerk in Michigan. In 1985 he joined the district attorney's office in Montrose for two years until he was appointed as the district court magistrate in November 1987. He served in that capacity for 12 years, until he was appointed to the district court bench in May 2002. While serving as district court magistrate (1987-2002) he also served, at various times, as municipal court judge for Olathe, Montrose and the town of Mountain Village.
Judge Friedrich, aside from his work on the bench, participates in the Seventh Judicial District Bench-Bar and Safety committees, the Community Corrections Board, the Colorado Supreme Court Standing Committee on Child Issues and participates in public legal education. He enjoys skiing and golf.
The Judicial Performance Commission, after conducting public hearings, interviews with attorneys and non-attorneys and a personal interview, found Judge Friedrich to be an active listener who communicates clearly. Ninety-eight percent of attorneys responding to the evaluation recommended that Judge Friedrich be retained in office, 2% recommended that he not be retained. Of the non-attorneys, 97% recommended retention and 3% recommended non-retention. He manages his docket in an efficient manner, analyzes issues carefully and applies the law fairly. He takes a personal approach to improving the
professionalism of lawyers who appear before him. He aspires to be perceived as fair, now and in the future.
Judge Friedrich espouses a refreshingly positive outlook on life, which he brings to his courtroom yet manages to display a high level of professionalism. In the courtroom, Judge Friedrich is attentive, fair and impartial.
The Seventh Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance recommends that Judge Friedrich be retained.