Second Judicial District - District Court Judge
Honorable Orrelle R. Weeks
Retention Year: 1994
Recommendation: Retain
Judge Orrelle R. Weeks received an undergraduate degree from the University of Colorado in 1957 and graduated from the University of Colorado School of Law in 1962. Judge Weeks was appointed to the bench in 1973 after serving two years as a referee for Denver Juvenile Court, eight years as a deputy district attorney and one year in private practice. Judge Weeks served as the Presiding Judge for Juvenile Courts from 1973 to 1994. The Presiding Judge has administrative responsibility for the three Juvenile Court Judges, three magistrates and staff of 83 employees. Juvenile Court is a permanent assignment.
Courthouse personnel, attorney and litigant evaluations received by the Commission, although few in number, rate Judge Weeks highly. Judge Weeks received high marks for appropriate demeanor, courtroom control, and diligence. Judge Weeks was recommended for retention by each of the groups which evaluated the judge.
Judge Weeks believes it is important to maintain courtroom control but also to make every effort to ensure that the litigants feel comfortable, that they can talk to the judge and state their viewpoint with the belief that it will be considered.
Judge Weeks is active in professional associations including the Colorado Bar Association, Denver Bar Association, Colorado District Judge’s Association, Colorado Council of Juvenile Court Judges (past president) and the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges. Judge Weeks authored “Permanency Planning in Dependency Cases,” which was published in The Colorado Lawyer in April 1991.
The Second Judicial District Commission on Performance recommends Judge Weeks BE RETAINED.