Christopher J. Baumann

The Second Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously agrees by a vote of 10-0 that Judge Christopher J. Baumann 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 Baumann serves as the Chief Judge of Denver District Court, a position he has held since 2022, and currently presides over civil matters. Judge Baumann also presides over the Statewide Grand Jury proceedings, search warrants and arrest warrants. The Commission commends Judge Baumann for his alacrity in carrying out his administrative duties and his preparation as a jurist. Judge Baumann meets all aspects of the performance criteria on which he is evaluated. Judge Baumann’s written decisions are clear and thorough. His notable strengths, observed by the Commission, and described in survey responses, include his ability to efficiently balance both his civil docket and duties as Chief Judge, his excellent courtroom demeanor, and treating all parties appearing in front of him with fairness and respect. The Commission, based on its observation and analysis of survey responses, did not identify any evaluation category in which Judge Baumann displayed a notable weakness as to the performance criteria. Judge Baumann exceeded the Court’s productivity benchmark for civil courtrooms.

The Commission met with the Denver District Attorney and a representative of the Denver Office of the Office of Colorado State Public Defender regarding Judge Baumann’s performance. The Commission conducted a personal interview with Judge Baumann and observed him during court proceedings. It also reviewed opinions he authored, comments received from interested parties during the evaluation, case management data, and judicial performance survey responses from attorneys and non-attorneys who interacted with him. The surveys reflected personal opinions regarding Judge Baumann in the categories of case management, application and knowledge of the law, communications, diligence, demeanor, and fairness. A total of 15 attorneys and 17 non-attorneys responded to the judicial performance surveys expressing their opinion of Judge Baumann. The overall information and data reviewed supports the Commission’s recommendation that Judge Baumann meets performance standards.

Judge Baumann was appointed to the Denver District Court in January 2018. He was appointed as the Chief Judge of Denver District Court in 2022. Prior to serving on the bench, Judge Baumann served as an attorney with the Denver Office of the Office of Colorado State Public Defender, a position he held since 2002, being named head of the Denver Office in 2010. Judge Baumann has served the Denver community through his volunteer work with Project Angel Heart. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Colorado and his law degree from Tulane University.

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