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James R. McDonald

County Court Judge, Hinsdale County

Running in 2026: County Court Judge, Hinsdale County (November 3)

Judicial performance evaluation, 2026

Commission recommendation: Meets performance standards (9–0) · 9 of 9 commissioners voted “meets”

The commission's narrative

The Seventh Judicial District Judicial Performance Commission unanimously agrees, by a vote of 9-0, with one Commission vacancy, that Judge James R. McDonald MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS .

The Commission interviewed Judge McDonald via zoom video conference on April 24, 2026, with various committee members observing him in Court, either in person or via electronic means. The Commission also spoke with representatives of the District Attorney’s Office and the Public Defender’s Office, and the Chief District Court Judge for the Seventh Judicial District.

Judge McDonald’s docket consists of civil and criminal cases. Judge McDonald was prepared for his hearings and generally did a good job of ensuring that all within his court room understood the proceedings and the matter at hand. Judge McDonald was observed as having a bit of an informal or colloquial approach, which while appreciated by some, was noted as being a bit too informal by others. It is clear to the Commission that Judge McDonald meets performance standards.

Judge McDonald was appointed to the Hinsdale County bench in May of 2020. He has been an attorney in private practice for nearly thirty years. McDonald was appointed as the Gunnison Municipal Judge in May 2005 and continues to serve as municipal court judge in five Colorado municipalities. He also serves as a weekend bond hearing magistrate for the State of Colorado. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of California at Berkeley, and his Juris Doctor from Vermont Law School.

1300 Broadway, Suite 220 Denver, Colorado 80203

(303) 928-7777

The evaluation on judicialperformance.colorado.gov

From the state's Office of Judicial Performance Evaluation. A commission of citizens, attorneys and non-attorneys for each judicial district (the state commission for appellate judges) reviews each judge standing for retention and finds that they meet, or do not meet, performance standards. Voters decide.

Personal Financial Disclosures

debts: up to $725,000 on their latest disclosure with entries: the top of each range they selected, added up (the form asks for ranges, not amounts; a range with no top counts at its figure).

Statement	Filed	What it lists
2025 Annual Hinsdale County Judge	2025-01-10	6 income sources, 2 assets, 5 colorado property, 1 offices and directorships, 2 state-regulated businesses, 3 debts
2024 Annual Hinsdale County Judge	2024-02-15	6 income sources, 2 assets, 5 colorado property, 1 offices and directorships, 2 state-regulated businesses, 4 debts

Findings

Worth a look Late or missing

No annual disclosure found for 2026

As a judge, they file a disclosure by January 10 each year. We found none for 2026 in TRACER's Document Search under their name.

What to check

TRACER's Document Search under their name (a different spelling could hide one).
Whether they held the office that January (members seated, or judges appointed, later in the year file on taking office).

Rule: An annual disclosure after January 10, or none found

“The following state officials must file a PFD by January 10th each year 24-6-202(1), C.R.S.”Form CPF-13 (Rev. 06/2026), instructions: Annual Filing Requirements ✓ quoted from the saved copy · how this rule works