Twentieth Judicial District - Boulder County Court Judge
Honorable Kristy Allyne Martinez
Retention Year: 2022
Recommendation: Meets Performance Standard
The 20th Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously agrees, by a vote of 10-0, that Judge Kristy Allyne Martinez MEETS 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.
Judge Martinez presides over civil, criminal, misdemeanor, small claims, and traffic matters in Boulder County, Colorado. Respondents to a survey of those who appeared in Judge Martinez’s court commented that she is diligent in preparing for hearings and makes a significant effort to ensure that litigants appearing before her understand the judicial process, the legal issues presented, and her rulings. Boulder’s district attorney and representatives of the defense bar highlighted her compassion for litigants and her thoughtfulness in sentencing. Judge Martinez is receptive to feedback about her performance and constantly strives to grow and develop as a judge. She continues to focus on balancing her thorough communications with litigants with managing an efficient docket.
The Commission conducted a personal interview with Judge Martinez, reviewed opinions she wrote, observed her performance in court, and reviewed judicial performance survey responses from attorneys and non-attorneys who participated in her court proceedings. The Commission also received comments on Judge Martinez’s performance from the district attorney and representatives of the defense bar and held a public hearing at which citizens had the opportunity to provide additional input.
Judge Martinez was appointed to the Boulder County Court bench in 2019. She attended the University of Denver, receiving a B.A. in Human Communication in 1995 and her Juris Doctorate Degree in 1999. Judge Martinez began her litigation career as a Deputy District Attorney in Adams County, Colorado. In 2002, Judge Martinez established a criminal defense practice representing indigent clients at trial, on appeal and during post-conviction review. Beginning in September 2015, Judge Martinez became the director of the Korey Wise Innocence Project and served in that capacity until she took the bench. In 2019, University of Colorado Law awarded Judge Martinez the honorary Order of the Coif for her outstanding contribution to the legal profession.