Hilary Gurney

The Fourth Judicial District voted 9-0, with one absence, that Judge Hilary Gurney MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS . The judicial performance standards are integrity, legal knowledge, communication skills, judicial temperament, administrative performance, and service to the legal profession and the public.

Since her appointment to the District Court bench two years ago, Judge Gurney has presided over civil and juvenile cases. Her strengths include demeanor, administrative performance, and integrity. She is described as a great listener, patient, calm, diligent and a team player. She has excelled as a juvenile judge. Without any prior civil litigation experience, an area for improvement for Judge Gurney is her knowledge of civil pretrial practice and procedure, although she is working hard to become more familiar with this area of law. The Commission discussed with Judge Gurney certain deficiencies in her civil orders, suggested sources for further development, and encouraged her to keep working. Judge Gurney was very receptive to the Commission’s feedback and suggestions, which the Commission greatly values. By all accounts, Judge Gurney is working hard to learn what is necessary to become a good district court judge in all disciplines.

To evaluate Judge Gurney, the Commission reviewed Judge Gurney’s self-evaluation, a sample of her written opinions, and the 2026 judicial performance survey results. The Commission also collected feedback on Judge Gurney from the Chief Judge of the Fourth Judicial District and from representatives of the local District Attorney’s and the Public Defender’s Offices. After collecting all this information and observing Judge Gurney in court, the Commission interviewed Judge Gurney.

Immediately prior to being appointed to the District Court bench in May 2024, Judge Gurney was a Magistrate in this judicial district, a position she held for two years. As a Magistrate, she helped create the district’s Competency Docket, to facilitate and expedite eligible candidates’ access to services. Before that, she was a Deputy Public Defender in Colorado Springs for fifteen years and in Steamboat Springs for one year. Judge Gurney earned her B.S. from the University of Michigan in 2003 and her J.D. from the University of Colorado Law School in 2007. She is a mother to young children and volunteers as a mock trial coach at a local college when her schedule allows.

1300 Broadway, Suite 220 Denver, Colorado 80203

(303) 928-7777