Second Judicial District - Denver County Court Judge
Honorable Theresa Spahn
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 Theresa Spahn 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 Spahn served as the presiding judge both before and during the COVID pandemic. She has exceptionally strong leadership skills and, through her leadership, improved the Court’s morale, functionality and reputation. She encourages comradery among the judges and staff, builds bridges, and leads through consensus. In the courtroom, she is known for her people skills and for managing her courtroom with compassion. She is very clear and carefully explains the legal basis for each oral ruling. She maintains an efficient docket while still giving parties adequate time to speak. She has a passion for learning. Outside of the courtroom, she works with a program aimed to increase the pipeline of diverse students in law schools and is passionate about mentoring law students.
In evaluating Judge Spahn, 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 Spahn was appointed to the Denver County Court in October of 2014 by Mayor Michael Hancock. She earned her undergraduate degree from Metropolitan State College (now known as Metropolitan State University of Denver) and her law degree from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Prior to her appointment, Judge Spahn served as a district court magistrate in the 17th Judicial District and a deputy district attorney in Adams and Mesa Counties. Judge Spahn was director of the O’Connor Judicial Selection Initiative, a national initiative spearheaded by former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor to advance policy reform and was also the founding director of the Colorado Office of the Child’s Representative. She also worked in private practice and, at the time of her appointment, was a name partner with Wedgle & Spahn, P.C. Judge Spahn is the member of several professional organizations including the Colorado Women’s Bar Association and volunteers her time with many local philanthropic organizations.