Nineteenth Judicial District - District Court Judge
Honorable Marcelo Adrian Kopcow
Retention Year: 2014
Recommendation: Retain
Reports:
2014 Retention Survey Report (PDF)
2011 Interim Survey Report (PDF)
2009 Interim Survey Report (PDF)
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The Nineteenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance recommends by unanimous vote of 10-0 that Judge Marcelo Adrian Kopcow BE RETAINED.
Judge Kopcow was appointed District Court Judge on July 1, 2005. Previously, he served as County Court Judge, Greeley Municipal Court Judge and as a Deputy District Attorney. Judge Kopcow graduated from Northeastern University-College of Criminal Justice and received his J.D. from New York Law School. He is an appointed member of the State of Colorado Sex Offender Management Board, Office of Technology Services, and serves on the Aims Community College Criminal Justice Advisory Board. He has also served as a member of the Colorado Probation Advisory Committee, Colorado Bar Association Executive Board, the University of Northern Colorado Mentoring Program, and has given numerous presentations to UNC, area high schools and middles schools while participating in the “Judicially Speaking” program. Judge Kopcow states he believes that being a public servant from 8-5 is a lost opportunity to serve his community. He served as President of the Kiwanis of the Rockies, Vice President of St. Peter Catholic Church Parish Council, Treasurer for Youth & Family Connections and has gone on a mission trip to Guatemala in order to keep involved in community service activities.
The Commission conducted a personal interview with Judge Kopcow, reviewed opinions he authored, observed him in court, read opinions and reviewed surveys completed by attorneys and non-attorneys. One of the survey questions was “how strongly do you recommend that Judge Kopcow be retained or not retained?” According to the report, of the attorneys responding to the survey, 75% recommended to retain, 19% recommended not to retain, and 7% made no recommendation. Of the non-attorneys responding, 87% recommended to retain, 9% recommended not to retain, and 4% made no recommendation. (These percentages may not add up to 100% due to rounding.)
Judge Kopcow currently presides over criminal cases assigned to Division 11. Based upon the survey results of attorneys, Judge Kopcow received an overall average grade above the average grade for all District Court Judges standing for retention. Of the non-attorneys surveys, Judge Kopcow received an overall grade above the average grade for all District Court Judges standing for retention. Among the attorneys Judge Kopcow scored the highest in the areas of case management, communication, application and knowledge of the law, and diligence and slightly lower in the area of demeanor. Among non-attorneys Judge Kopcow received high scores in all areas. Judge Kopcow addressed concerns regarding the speed of which his courtroom runs by stating it is his desire to see that cases progress in a timely and efficient manner. The members of the commission noted his fairness, dignity and confidence which he displays in the courtroom. Judge Kopcow stated that his experience on the bench has provided him with the ability to “listen more than talk” giving him more insight into each case and the individuals involved to make fair and decisive rulings.