Fourteenth Judicial District - Routt County Court Judge
Honorable James H. Garrecht
Retention Year: 1998
Recommendation: Retain
The Fourteenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance recommends that Judge James H. Garrecht BE RETAINED.
Judge James H. Garrecht was appointed Judge to the Routt County Court in 1987. Judge Garrecht currently hears all County Court cases, which includes civil, traffic infractions, traffic offenses, misdemeanors, felony advisements and preliminary hearings.
Courthouse personnel, law enforcement, juror and attorney questionnaires received by the Commission rate Judge Garrecht as exceptional. Judge Garrecht received very high marks for compassion, integrity, judicial demeanor and control of the courtroom. Judge Garrecht is highly energetic, prepared, knowledgeable, and extremely patient, especially with parties who are not represented by lawyers.
Judge Garrecht is Secretary of the Northwest Colorado Bar Association and enjoys family activities, skiing, golfing, rafting, photography, and mountain biking.
Judge Garrecht received a B.A. from Fort Lewis College in 1972, a J.D. from William Mitchell College of Law in 1979, and graduated from the general jurisdiction course at the National Judicial College in 1991. Judge Garrecht served as a Deputy District Attorney from 1979 to 1983, was in private practice from 1983 until his appointment to the bench. He also has served as the District Court Magistrate from 1984 to present.
Those persons who responded to the questionnaires made the following recommendations concerning retention for Judge Garrecht: Attorneys Retain: 100.0%, Jurors Retain: 96.0% - Do Not Retain 4%, Litigants Retain: 66.7% - Do Not Retain 33.3%, Court/Probation Retain: 100.0%, Crime Victims Retain: 100.0% and Law Enforcement Officers Retain: 95.8% – Do Not Retain 4.2%. No response was received from Social Service Case Workers.