Sixth Judicial District - San Juan County Court Judge
Honorable Allen Nossaman
Retention Year: 2000
Recommendation: Retain
The Sixth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance recommends that Judge Allen Nossaman BE RETAINED.
Judge Nossaman was first appointed as San Juan County Judge in 1971 and served until 1974. Appointed a second time in September 1989, Judge Nossaman has been San Juan County Judge since that time. Due to San Juan County's classification under Colorado law, the county judge is deemed a "part-time" position which may be filled by a qualified individual who is not an attorney admitted to practice law in Colorado.
By every measure, the Commission was impressed by Judge Nossaman. He is well respected by the people who appear in his courtroom, and by law enforcement personnel, attorneys and state employees who work with him on a daily basis. In response to survey questionnaires, Judge Nossaman received high marks in being both fair and impartial to those who appear in his courtroom, in his professional demeanor and in his preparation and management of cases. Judge Nossaman was also rated highly for his knowledge of the law, his timeliness in making decisions and his clear manner of speaking. Of the attorney responses received 92% voted to retain Judge Nossaman.
The Commission notes that while Judge Nossaman functions on a part-time basis, comments by the public and others reflect his willingness to be available "when needed" as a further example of his conscientious service.
Judge Nossaman actively serves his community when not acting as judge. He came to San Juan County as the son of a newspaperman and published the Silverton Standard newspaper between 1963 and 1972. His strong interest and background in the history of San Juan County and its peoples is exemplified by his published writings. He also serves on a volunteer basis as Archive Director of the San Juan County Historical District.