The Twenty-Third Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance finds by a vote of 6-0, with one commissioner recusing themselves, one commissioner absent, and two commission vacancies, that Judge Daniel W. Warhola MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS . The Colorado statutory judicial performance standards are integrity, legal knowledge, communication skills, judicial temperament, administrative performance, and service to the legal profession and the public.
Judge Warhola presided over a domestic relations docket when appointed and transitioned to a full-time criminal docket in October 2025. Judge Warhola’s demeanor is described as calm, respectful, and approachable. The commission applauds the work he has done as a new judge to learn the job. His work ethic and preparation are evident to the people who come into his courtroom. Judge Warhola is thorough in his efforts to provide equal treatment and make correct decisions, while also being conscientious about delivering timely rulings. He clearly explains the evidence and legal reasoning that inform his decisions, speaking and writing in language that is understandable to everyone. Judge Warhola demonstrates a strong commitment to ongoing professional development. Commission members observed these qualities during their evaluation and interview. Based on these findings the Commission unanimously agreed that Judge Daniel Warhola meets performance standards.
The Commission conducted a personal interview with Judge Warhola, reviewed opinions he authored, observed him in court, interviewed stakeholders, and reviewed judicial performance survey responses from attorneys and non-attorneys who had interaction in Judge Warhola’s court. Among the survey questions was, “Based on your responses to the previous questions related to the performance evaluation criteria, do you think Judge Warhola meets judicial performance standards?” Of the attorneys responding to the survey, 82% answered yes, and 18% answered no. Of the non-attorneys responding to the survey, 67% answered yes, 20% answered no, and 13% had no opinion. A total of fourteen attorneys and fifteen non-attorneys responded to the judicial performance surveys expressing their opinion of Judge Warhola.
Daniel Warhola was appointed to the District Court in August 2024. Prior to his appointment to the bench, Judge Warhola was an Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Colorado from 2022-2024. Previously, he was a Senior Deputy District Attorney (2021-2022) and Deputy District Attorney (2014-2021) in the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office; and a Deputy District Attorney in the 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office (2013-2014). Judge Warhola earned his B.S.B.A. from the University of Richmond and his J.D. from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. He volunteers as a judge for high school mock trial and speech and debate competitions.
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