Nineteenth Judicial District - District Court Judge
Honorable Shannon D. Lyons
Retention Year: 2016
Recommendation: Meets Performance Standard
Reports:
2016 Retention Survey Report (PDF)
2015 Interim Survey Report (PDF)
Need an accessible PDF Document Version?
Please click on the link below and email our staff
The Nineteenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously recommends that Judge Shannon D. Lyons BE RETAINED by a vote of 9–0, with one Commissioner recusing.
Judge Lyons was appointed to the Weld County District Court in 2013. He is a graduate of Capital University Law School (Ohio), and received his undergraduate degree in economics from Grinnell College (Iowa). Judge Lyons began his legal career providing pro bono legal services through the Lender-A-Lawyer program with Colorado Rural Legal Services in Montrose. He later served as Deputy Public Defender in Pueblo, Logan, Morgan and Weld counties. Judge Lyons received the Weld County Bar Association's professionalism award in 2007. Before appointment, Judge Lyons was Senior Litigation Counsel for Otis, Coan & Peters, LLC in Greeley, Colorado, and practiced in business and real estate matters with an emphasis on commercial litigation. He also served on local boards and commissions including the City of Greeley Budget Advisory Committee, the American Red Cross (Northern Colorado Chapter), and the Greeley Chamber of Commerce and Community Council for Education. Since his appointment to the Court, Judge Lyons continues to serve on the Community Council for Education and the United Way Early Childhood Council. He is a member of the Greeley Rotary Club, and has also coached several youth sports teams.
The Commission conducted a personal interview with Judge Lyons, reviewed opinions he authored, observed him in court, and reviewed surveys sent to attorneys and non-attorneys. Among the survey questions was “how strongly do you recommend that Judge Shannon Lyons be retained in office, or not be retained in office?” Of non-attorneys completing the survey, 85% recommended to retain, 4% not to retain, and 10% made no recommendation. Of attorneys completing surveys, 66% recommended to retain, 22% not to retain, and 12% made no recommendation. (Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding).
Judge Lyons currently presides over a mostly criminal docket, with some civil matters. Based on survey results of the non-attorneys, Judge Lyons received an overall combined average rating which exceeded the average combined rating of all district judges standing for retention. Based on survey results of attorneys, Judge Lyons received an overall combined average rating that was below the average combined rating of all district judges standing for retention. Members of the Commission were impressed with Judge Lyons’ commitment to working with others to receive assessments of his ability to be fair and impartial. Judge Lyons has demonstrated concern for victims in his opinions in criminal matters. Judge Lyons informed the Commission that he strives to project a sense of patience and to promote confidence in the Court. He is often described in the surveys as patient, intelligent, respectful, professional and calm.