Peacock, Dulce 2022 Evaluation

Reports:

2022 Retention Survey Report

2021 Interim Survey Report

County Court Judge Dulce Denise Peacock has been evaluated as Meets Performance Standards by the Fourth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance, by a vote of 8-0 with two commissioners absent. The Colorado statutory judicial performance standards are integrity, legal knowledge, communication skills, judicial temperament, administrative performance, and service to the legal profession and the public

The decision was based on an interview, survey results, a self-evaluation, submission of written rulings and interviews with the Chief Judge, and the leaders of both the Public Defender’s Office and the District Attorney’s Office. In addition, Multiple Commissioners personally visited her courtroom to observe proceedings. Judge Peacock presides over a docket that is approximately 10% civil, 40% misdemeanor and 50% traffic cases. Her Survey results indicated that she performed equally with the average scores of all judges in the categories of Communications and Case Management, and a bit above average in Fairness, Demeanor, Diligence and Application and Knowledge of the Law. 88% of Attorneys and 79% of Non-Attorneys surveyed rated her as “meets performance standards” with an average for both of 83%.

Responding to several comments by those surveyed that some written rulings take longer than they would like, Judge Peacock acknowledged that she has concentrated on reducing the time required to release her civil orders by increasing her emphasis on personal organization while being careful not to limit the level of detail in her writing. The written rulings provided as part of her self-evaluation effectively created a solid written record of her decisions. Repeatedly in this process her performance was identified as both professional and compassionate. Other comments included “consistently nice and upbeat,” and “treats all parties with respect.” She was described by both Attorneys and Non-Attorneys in similar terms. The members acknowledged that Judge Peacock controls her courtroom while maintaining a friendly demeanor. It is clear from the information gathered and analyzed, that Judge Peacock is not only an effective and diligent judge, but that she genuinely enjoys her responsibilities on the bench and should be retained.

Judge Peacock began her career in private practice with an emphasis on family, juvenile and criminal cases. She was appointed as a District Court Magistrate in 2002, and a County Court Judge in 2019. Her education includes a BA from Columbia College and a JD from the University of Virginia. She currently serves on the Board of the Catamount Institute as well as participating in the Tree Planting Project of the El Paso County Bar Association. She has also volunteered with Judicially Speaking and Teen Court.