Rodarte, Nicole 2020 Evaluation

Reports:
2020 Retention Survey Report
2019 Interim Survey Report

The Second Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance, on a vote of 10-0, unanimously finds that Judge Nicole M. Rodarte MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS.

Judge Rodarte received ratings slightly above the statewide average among all County Court judges standing for retention with regard case management, application and knowledge of law, and diligence. For communications she received an average score and her demeanor score was just slightly below average.  Scores from non-attorneys were very high in all categories.  The Commission was impressed with her overall ratings and the positive comments from those who answered the survey, including that she is “very professional and compassionate,” has a “measured sense of justice,” she is “fair,” “honest,” and “knows the law and carefully applies it.”  Judge Rodarte routinely sends thank you notes to jurors and trial participants.  Based on all the aforementioned considerations, the Judicial Performance Commission recommends that Judge Rodarte meets performance standards.

The Commission conducted a personal interview with Judge Rodarte, reviewed orders she authored, reviewed survey responses from attorneys and non-attorneys who had experience with Judge Rodarte and select members of the Commission observed Judge Rodarte in court, either live or via recording. Those surveyed were asked, “based on your responses to the previous questions related to the performance evaluation criteria, do you think Judge Rodarte meets judicial performance standards?”  Of the 25 attorneys responding to the surveys, 74% believe that Judge Rodarte meets performance standards, 22% believe she does not meet performance standards, and 4% had no opinion.  Of the 24 non-attorneys who responded to that question, 100% believe the Judge Rodarte meets performance standards.

Mayor Hancock appointed Judge Rodarte to the Denver County Court in 2013.  Before her appointment to the bench, Judge Rodarte was in private practice focusing on criminal defense and she previously served for several years as a Deputy Colorado State Public Defender.  Judge Rodarte is a Denver native. She graduated from John F. Kennedy High School, she earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado-Denver and her Juris Doctor from the University of Colorado.  Judge Rodarte has demonstrated a commitment to community service and is active in the Colorado Women’s Bar, The Colorado Hispanic Bar and the Colorado LGBT Bar Association.