Second Judicial District - Denver County Court Judge
Honorable Nicole M. Rodarte
Retention Year: 2024
Recommendation: Meets Performance Standards
Reports:
*Insufficient responses to publish 2024 Survey Report
2023 Interim Survey Report (PDF)
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The Denver County Court Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously agrees by a vote of 5-0 that Honorable Judge Nicole M. Rodarte MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS. The Colorado statutory judicial performance criteria are integrity, legal knowledge, communication skills, judicial temperament, administrative performance, and service to the legal profession and the public.
Judge Rodarte served as presiding judge from 2022 to 2024 and in this position oversaw approximately 300 staff members. She was a strong advocate for Denver County Court staff and empowered employees, which resulted in increased leadership opportunities, equitable work-from-home policy, and employee retention. During her time as presiding judge, she was responsible for implementing multiple legislative bills that required significant changes within the court, including the 48-hour bail bill, livestreaming, and virtual bonding. When she became presiding judge, she continued oversight of the in-person return to the courthouse after the pandemic. She chaired the Court’s IT committee, which was responsible for implementing new legislation and maintaining virtual hearings following the pandemic. As a judge she is known for being fair, very well prepared, and running an efficient docket. She communicates clearly and directly and with appropriate authority. She offers extensive feedback to new attorneys, particularly in trial skills. Mentorship is available to all young lawyers who appear in front of her, and she takes her responsibility in guiding the next generation of attorneys very seriously. She welcomes secondary students into her courtroom and offers them an educational perspective on law and procedure.
In evaluating Judge Rodarte, the commission used live, livestream and recorded courtroom observations, conducted a personal interview with the judicial officer, case management data and reviewed surveys from attorney and non-attorney courtroom participants, comments received from interested parties during the evaluation, and the judicial officer self-evaluation, with supporting documents when submitted, to inform its decision for meets/does not meet performance standards.
Judge Rodarte was appointed to the bench in January of 2013. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Colorado at Denver in 1994 and her law degree from the University of Colorado School of Law in 1998. Prior to her appointment, she worked for the Colorado Public Defender’s Office and in private practice. Judge Rodarte is a member of the Colorado Judicial Institute, and the Colorado Women’s, Hispanic, Asian Pacific American, LGBTQ+, Sam Cary, and Municipal Judges Bar Associations. She volunteers for various events and organizations, including speaking on panels regarding leadership, serving as a mentor for Law School Yes We Can/Si Se Puede, and calling numbers for Volunteers of America Senior Bingo night.