Gregory Robert Werner

The Fourth Judicial District Performance Commission voted 9-0 (with one absence) that Judge Gregory Robert Werner MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS .

District Court Judge Werner presides over a docket that is made up of predominately civil cases (70%) and probate matters (25%). He also handles certain mental health-related cases. He is the presiding judge in probate, civil, and water court cases, recognized for his deep knowledge and experience in these areas. Judge Werner serves as a resource for other judges, particularly in civil cases. Although he does not currently maintain a criminal docket, Judge Werner has in recent years presided over several high-profile criminal trials. Twenty-two of the 34 attorneys and four of the eight non-attorneys who responded to survey rated Judge Werner as meeting judicial performance standards. Nine opined that Judge Werner did not meet performance standards and two had no opinion. Judge Werner received relatively high scores from the Appellate Judges that responded to the surveys. However, because the response rate to surveys was less than 3% for attorneys (34 of 767) and 1% for non-attorneys (6 of 125), the survey responses are statistically invalid. Judge Werner conducts his courtroom formally, to demonstrate that he has not pre-judged the matter, does not favor any party, and applies the law to the facts without the influence of emotion.

The Commission personally interviewed Judge Werner, observed him in Court, reviewed judicial performance data, a number of his written opinions and orders, as well as written comments from attorneys, non-attorneys and appellate judges. It also met with the Chief Judge of the Fourth Judicial District, and representatives of the District Attorneys’ Office and the Public Defender’s Office. Comments made by both members of the bar and the public include the following: “Judge Werner sets high expectations but does so respectfully;” “Participants are always treated without bias whether represented by an attorney or Pro Se;” and “he’s punctual; gives each side an equal opportunity to present their arguments; and rules quickly. He sets out exactly how he wants counsel to proceed in his courtroom.”

The Governor appointed Judge Werner to the bench on July 10, 2006. Before that he served as a trial attorney in Colorado Springs for approximately 18 years. He is a 1987 graduate of the University of Colorado Law School, having earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado in 1983. Judge Werner is involved in several community service activities including serving as a judge for both college and high school mock trial competitions and for the Colorado Springs Teen Court. He is a member of the Colorado Supreme Court Rules Committee and has frequently spoken to members of the bar and judges on probate issues that come before Colorado Courts. The Commission highly values Judge Werner and his many years of service to our legal community and the bench.

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