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Newmyer-Olsen, Crista 2022 Evaluation

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Twelfth Judicial District - District Court Judge

Honorable Crista Newmyer-Olsen

Retention Year: 2022
Recommendation: Meets Performance Standard

The Twelfth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance finds that the Honorable Crista Newmyer-Olsen MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDs. All participating  seven members of the Commission voted that Judge Newmyer-Olsen met judicial performance standards. 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 Commission met with Judge Newmyer-Olsen, observed her in many different court hearings, reviewed her work since being appointed to the bench in 2019, and assessed feedback from attorneys and non-attorneys before concluding that Judge Newmyer-Olsen meets performance standards. The feedback from attorneys and non-attorneys was overwhelmingly positive as it relates to her performance, particularly as it relates to her case management, communication, diligence, and demeanor. Judge Newmyer-Olsen brings her strong work ethic, compassion for all people, time management skills, and passion for justice to the bench. Commission members observed these qualities during their evaluations and interview with her. Based upon these findings, the Commission unanimously agreed that Judge Newmyer-Olsen meets performance standards.

Significantly, Judge Newmyer-Olsen’s feedback from attorneys and non-attorneys was higher in every category – case management, application and knowledge of law, communications, diligence, demeanor, and fairness –than the average of all district judges across the state. When asked about Judge Newmyer-Olsen’s strengths, the responses on the anonymous survey was overwhelmingly positive, and highlighted Judge Newmyer-Olsen’s professionalism, patience, organization, and judicial efficiency, particularly in drafting orders quickly. As it relates to her weaknesses, there were far less comments, but generally only related to her lack of experience in civil law. Judge Newmyer-Olsen specifically addressed this in her interview with the Commission, noting that one of her goals was to continue to become more familiar with civil law, because her entire legal practice prior to being appointed to the bench was in criminal law. The Commission is confident that Judge Newmyer-Olsen will only continue to improve her already stellar performance as she continues in her role as a District Court Judge.

Judge Newmyer-Olsen graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder Law School in 2007, primarily focusing on American Indian Law, and began her career as an Associate Attorney with a law firm in Denver before becoming a Deputy District Attorney in the San Luis Valley in 2009. She was promoted to Chief Deputy District Attorney in 2013 and was ultimately elected District Attorney in 2017. She served in this capacity before being appointed to the bench in 2020. Judge Newmyer-Olsen has volunteered her free time with the local mock trial program and the local 4- H club.

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