Seventeenth Judicial District - Adams County Court Judge
Honorable Leroy D. Kirby
Retention Year: 2024
Recommendation: Meets Performance Standards
Reports:
2024 Retention Survey Report (PDF)
2023 Interim Survey Report (PDF)
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The Seventeenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously agrees by a vote of 10-0 that Judge Leroy D. Kirby MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS.
Judge Kirby's demeanor is described as respectful, professional, dignified, and fair. His written decisions are clear, concise, and well written. Judge Kirby is an extremely hard worker and uses his intellect to promote new developments in the law and enhance the administration of justice in his court. Commission members observed these qualities during his interview and in reviewing the evaluation materials. Judge Kirby's opinions reflect his knowledge of the law and common-sense communication style. Based on these findings this Commission unanimously agreed that Judge Kirby meets performance standards. Judge Kirby treats those appearing in his courtroom with respect and is consistent in his sentencing of defendants that appear before him. The Commission finds that Judge Kirby makes a conscious effort to ensure parties appearing in his courtroom understand the matters before him and that he understands how the parties view an interaction with the court. His case management is efficient, but also ensures that parties have an adequate opportunity to be heard. Judge Kirby has historically devoted a significant amount of time to community service and improving the judicial system in Adams County.
This Commission conducted a personal interview with Judge Kirby, reviewed opinions he authored, observed him in court, and reviewed the limited number judicial performance survey responses from attorneys and non-attorneys who had interaction in Judge Kirby's court and responded to surveys. Among the survey questions was "Based on your responses to the previous questions related to this performance evaluation criteria, do you think Judge Kirby meets judicial performance standards?" Of the responding attorneys, 90% answered “Yes” and 5% answered “No,” with 5% expressing no opinion. Of the non-attorneys responding to this survey, 80% answered “Yes” and 20% answered “No.” A total of twenty attorneys and ten non-attorneys responded.
Judge Kirby was appointed to the Adams County Court in 2009 and is currently the Chief County Court Judge. He presides over civil, criminal, misdemeanor and traffic matters in the County Court in Brighton, Colorado. Judge Kirby graduated from Regis University in Denver with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science. He then became a Naval Officer, graduating from Officer Candidate School and continued active duty until 1992. Judge Kirby graduated from University of Denver Sturn College of Law and was a Deputy Public Defender for the State of Colorado until his appointment as magistrate in 2007. He was then appointed to the Adams County bench in 2009.