Twenty-First Judicial District - Mesa County Court Judge
Honorable Gretchen B. Larson
Retention Year: 2012
Recommendation: Retain
Reports:
2012 Retention Survey Report (PDF)
2011 Interim Survey Report (PDF)
2009 Interim Survey Report (PDF)
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The Twenty-First Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance recommends by a vote of 10-0 that Judge Gretchen B. Larson BE RETAINED.
Judge Larson attended undergraduate school at Southern Methodist University. She received her law degree from the University of Colorado in 1993. Judge Larson was sworn in as a Mesa County Court Judge in 2006. She previously worked as a prosecutor for the District Attorney's Offices in the Twenty-First Judicial District (Mesa County) and the Ninth Judicial District (Garfield, Pitkin, and Rio Blanco Counties.)
Judge Larson was evaluated by the following methods: attorney surveys, non-attorney surveys, self-evaluation, courtroom observations, review of written decisions, and an interview. Attorneys and non-attorneys graded Judge Larson above the average of all county judges standing for retention statewide. The commission was impressed with Judge Larson’s reviews and with her personally, through her interview and self-evaluation. It is clear that Judge Larson gave attention to any negative feedback from the surveys and reflected as to how she could improve her service as a member of the judiciary. Judge Larson is diligent and hard-working and has earned her reputation for excellent legal acuity through continued efforts to remain current in all aspects of the law. Of particular note, the Commission believed that Judge Larson's written communication skills were excellent. The Commission believes that Judge Larson is an excellent judge and a credit to the bench.
Of all attorneys surveyed about retention, 88% recommended to retain, 12% not to retain, and 1% were undecided or didn’t have enough information to make a recommendation. Of those expressing an opinion to retain or not to retain, 88% recommended to retain and 12% not to retain. Of all non-attorneys surveyed, 81% recommended to retain, 7% not to
retain, and 13% were undecided or didn’t have enough information to make a recommendation. Of those expressing an opinion to retain or not to retain, 92% recommended to retain and 7% not to retain. (These percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.)