Vallejos, Michael 2020 Evaluation

Reports:
2020 Retention Survey Report
2017 Interim Survey Report

The Second Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance, on a vote of 10-0, unanimously finds that Judge Michael J. Vallejos MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS.

The Commission reviewed the results of surveys submitted by attorneys and non-attorneys, including written verbatim comments, interviews of the Chief Judge of the Denver District Court, the Denver City Attorney, and the head of the Denver municipal public defender’s office.  The Commission also interviewed Judge Vallejos, and reviewed his written self-evaluation and opinions he authored.  Some members of the Commission also observed Judge Vallejos in court and listened to recordings of proceedings before him.

In the survey results, compared to other district court judges standing for retention, Judge Vallejos scored slightly below average in application and knowledge of the law, average in case management, communications, demeanor and diligence and significantly above average in fairness.  Of 33 attorneys who responded to surveys, 84% of attorney survey respondents said Judge Vallejos meets performance standards, 10% of attorney indicated he does not meet performance standards, and 6% had no opinion.

Governor Ritter appointed Judge Vallejos to the Denver District Court in 2010.  Before his appointment, Judge Vallejos served as Deputy State Public Defender and the head of the Denver Office of the Colorado Public Defender.  Judge Vallejos earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Colorado in 1984 and his Juris Doctor from the University of Colorado in 1991. Judge Vallejos volunteers helping at-risk youth, and he formerly served on the Board of the Colorado Commission for Criminal and Juvenile Justice.