Eighth Judicial District - District Court Judge
Honorable Daniel J. Kaup
Retention Year: 2010
Recommendation: Retain
Reports:
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The Eighth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance recommends by a vote of 10-0 that Judge Daniel J. Kaup BE RETAINED.
Judge Kaup graduated magna cum laude in 1973 from Colorado State University with a B.A. in Political Science. He received his law degree from the University of Denver School Of Law in 1976. Judge Kaup is a member of the Colorado and American Bar Associations, is currently a member of the Colorado Statewide Meth Task Force, the Colorado Statewide Drug Court Task Force, and was formerly on the Board of the Colorado Judges Association. Judge Kaup has participated as a mock trial judge in regional and state competitions, is on the United Way Special Response Committee, participates in Liberty Day for educating youth on the Constitution, is a member of the Jackson County Lions Club, and is past president and board chairman of the Fort Collins Sertoma Club. Judge Kaup served as a board member and president of the Colorado Association of School Boards.
Judge Kaup was appointed to the District Court bench in 2001. Judge Kaup also was appointed by the Colorado Supreme Court to serve as the alternate Water Judge for the North Platte, Yampa, and White River Basins, 2002-2008. Judge Kaup’s docket includes civil and criminal actions and domestic relations cases. He is the presiding judge for the Adult Drug Court. Prior to his appointment to the bench, he was in private practice in the North Park area, Jackson County and the city of Walden, for 23 years. His general practice included civil law, probate, domestic relations, water law, and part-time appointments as deputy district attorney, county attorney, and city attorney.
The Commission, weighing all factors, including studying written opinions authored by the judge, conducting courtroom observations and a personal interview, finds Judge Kaup to be a great asset to the District Court, showing particular strength in his handling of the Drug Court as a separate docket. He cites this court as his most important work insofar as it permits him to know participants on a personal level to establish mutual trust and confidence. Attorneys who responded to survey questions give him high marks for his demeanor, which include treating litigants with respect, giving proceedings a sense of dignity, and conducting proceedings in a fair and neutral manner. In the interview portion of evaluation, Judge Kaup acknowledged the need to improve on punctuality. Overall, the Commission believes that Judge Kaup has improved his job performance since last evaluated six years ago and that he will continue to be a credit to the District Court bench.
Of all attorneys surveyed, 90% recommend retention, 10% not retain. Of all non-attorneys surveyed, 97% recommend retention, 4% not retain. (These percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.)