Fourteenth Judicial District - Routt County Court Judge
Honorable James H. Garrecht
Retention Year: 2006
Recommendation: Retain
Reports:
2006 Retention Survey Report (PDF)
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The Fourteenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously recommends that Judge James H. Garrecht BE RETAINED.
Judge Garrecht graduated with a B.A. in political science and history (double major) from Ft. Lewis College in Durango, Colorado. He earned his Juris Doctor degree from William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota. He graduated from the National Judicial College General Jurisdiction Course in 1991. Judge Garrecht began his legal career as a Deputy District Attorney in the Fifteenth Judicial District and came to the District Attorney’s Office in Steamboat Springs as a Deputy District Attorney in March 1980. Judge Garrecht was in private practice for several years before being appointed as Routt County Judge in 1987. He also served as the District Court Magistrate from 1985 to 2000.
Judge Garrecht hears preliminary matters in felony cases and misdemeanor, traffic, small claims and county court civil cases. He serves as Acting District Court Judge for the Fourteenth Judicial District in domestic relations cases and emergency district court matters.
The Commission reviewed written evaluations and survey material of Judge Garrecht from attorneys and non-attorneys, including written verbatim comments attached to the evaluation questionnaires. The Commission also considered a written self-evaluation completed by the judge and conducted a personal interview with Judge Garrecht.
Judge Garrecht speaks to students and citizen groups about the perspective of the judiciary on various issues. He has been the Secretary-Treasurer and Past-President of the Northwest Colorado Bar Association for many years. He also serves as a mentor judge and is on the Domestic Violence Task Force. He is a former board member of the Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association and the Routt County Alcohol Council. He has a great respect for the rule of law, and values the integrity of himself and his office. Judge Garrecht is even-handed and unbiased in his courtroom. He treats litigants, attorneys, witnesses and jurors with respect and courtesy, and decides factual issues impartially and on a timely basis.
Outside of the courtroom Judge Garrecht enjoys spending time with his family and is an avid Denver Broncos fan.
Judge Garrecht received high ratings from both attorneys and non-attorneys in virtually every category of the survey, particularly in the areas of being courteous; treating all parties equally; being fair and impartial toward both sides; communicating clearly, thoroughly and in a well-reasoned manner; explaining court procedures clearly and thoroughly; maintaining a proper judicial temperament; and making the correct decision based upon the law and the facts. Of the attorneys responding to the survey, a remarkable 96% recommended that Judge Garrecht be retained in office and that 3% recommended that Judge Garrecht not be retained. Of the non-attorneys responding to the survey, 93% recommended retention, 6% recommended non-retention. The Commission voted unanimously to recommend that Judge Garrecht be retained.