Eighteenth Judicial District - District Court Judge
Honorable Jeffrey K. Holmes
Retention Year: 2016
Recommendation: Meets Performance Standard
Reports:
2016 Retention Survey Report (PDF)
2013 Interim Survey Report (PDF)
2011 Interim Survey Report (PDF)
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The Eighteenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously recommends by a vote of 10-0 that Judge Jeffrey K. Holmes BE RETAINED.
Judge Holmes earned a bachelor’s degree from Southern Methodist University and graduated from the University of Texas Law School. Prior to his appointment to the bench, Judge Holmes was in private practice for approximately 17 years. After leaving private practice, Judge Holmes worked as a District Court Magistrate for the 18th Judicial District for 10 years, primarily handling juvenile matters. He was appointed to the district court in June of 2007 where his current caseload is 35% criminal, 25% civil, 25% domestic relations, 10% juvenile matters, 4% probate, and 1% mental health. Judge Holmes spends three-quarters of his time in Elbert County District Court and the other one one-quarter in the Lincoln County District Court. Judge Holmes believes strongly in community service and feels that community involvement is important for judicial officers. He has participated as a judge for the mock trial competitions, assists with Child & Family Investigator training, and speaks to students at Colorado State University on wills and estates. He serves on various law-related committees and is an active member of the Elbert/Douglas and Arapahoe Bar Associations. Judge Holmes currently serves as the Chairman of the Executive Board of his church and is on various committees at his church.
Before recommending retention of Judge Holmes, the Commission conducted extensive research; including, meeting personally with the judge, reviewing surveys conducted on him, interviewing people involved in the courtroom, studying his personal self-evaluation and rulings, and conducting personal observations in the courtroom. Surveys praise Judge Holmes’ judicial decorum, describing him as an outstanding jurist who is: excellent, fair-minded, courteous, considerate, superb, and well-prepared. Among the survey questions were, "How strongly do you recommend that Judge Holmes be retained in office?" Of the 25 attorneys completing the survey, 92% recommended to retain, 8% not to retain, and 0% made no recommendation. Of the 70 non-attorneys completing the survey, 82% recommended to retain, 13% not to retain, and 4% made no recommendation. (These percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.)
The Commission finds that Judge Holmes is an exceptional and accomplished judge who should be retained in office. He conducts himself in a highly professional manner, treats all parties with dignity, respect, and kindness, and is efficient and manages his docket well. He also has extensive knowledge of the law and maintains a sense of calmness in his courtroom. Judge Holmes listens to all parties and is fair and consistent when handing out a sentence. The Commission finds that Judge Jeffrey K. Holmes is a dedicated judge who should be retained on the bench.