First Judicial District - Jefferson County Court Judge
Honorable Graham B. Peper
Retention Year: 2024
Recommendation: Meets Performance Standards
Reports:
2024 Retention Survey Report (PDF)
2023 Interim Survey Report (PDF)
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The First Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously agrees by a vote of 10-0 that Judge Graham B. Peper 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 Peper is a county court judge who presides over criminal, misdemeanor, and traffic matters in Jefferson County. Judge Peper was consistently described as being a kind, fair judge and having a pleasant courtroom demeanor. According to survey responses, Judge Peper sets reasonable deadlines for resolving cases and has a wonderful communication style. Survey comments mention that he is polite, patient, and approachable. Judge Peper is recognized as being a warm caring judge who is dedicated to furthering his legal knowledge. Judge Peper respects this view and continues to improve his knowledge of criminal law. He participates in implicit bias and informed trauma training. With respect to the judicial performance survey responses completed by attorneys and non-attorneys, Judge Peper’s scores in the categories of case management, application and knowledge of the law, communications, diligence, demeanor, and fairness were in line with his county court colleagues.
The Commission conducted a personal interview with Judge Peper, reviewed opinions Judge Peper authored, observed Judge Peper in court, reviewed the 2024 Judicial Performance Survey Report from attorneys and non-attorneys appearing before Judge Peper, as well as received feedback from the Office of the State Public Defender and the First Judicial District Attorney's Office. Based on the Commission’s evaluation, Judge Peper demonstrated that he meets or exceeds performance standards in all categories under review: case management, application and knowledge of the law, communications, diligence, demeanor, and fairness.
Judge Peper was appointed to the Jefferson County Court in April of 2022, taking the bench in June of 2022. Judge Peper attended the University of Alaska, receiving his bachelor’s degree in 1991. He attended the Sturm College of Law at the University of Denver, earning his Juris Doctor in 1994. After law school, Judge Peper clerked for a private attorney before opening his own law practice, Peper Law Office, PC, in 1995. He was in private practice until he was appointed to the bench. His private practice consisted of juvenile and criminal law, and he worked as guardian ad litem. He received awards for his work representing children, including the Linda T. Palmieri award for the Family Integrated Treatment (FIT) Court from the First Judicial District Bar Association for outstanding service on behalf of children. Currently, Judge Peper serves on the Executive Committee for FIT Court. He, along with two colleagues, hosts regional mock trials for high school students. Judge Peper will replace Judge Burback as a member of the Domestic Violence Offender Management Board in January of 2025.