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Jeremy Chaffin

District Court Judge, 21st Judicial District

Running in 2026: District Court Judge, 21st Judicial District (November 3)

Judicial performance evaluation, 2026

Commission recommendation: Meets performance standards (7–0) · 7 of 7 commissioners voted “meets”

The commission's narrative

The Twenty-First Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance finds that Judge Jeremy Chaffin MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS by a vote of 7-0. The Commission has one vacancy, one absent commissioner, and one recusal. The Commission considered multiple sources of information, including survey results, courtroom observations, interviews, the judge’s self-evaluation, and case management data. Survey results indicated that 100% of attorneys found Judge Chaffin meets performance standards, while non-attorney responses were more mixed; the Commission considered these results in the context of all available information.

The judicial performance standards are integrity, legal knowledge, communication skills, judicial temperament, administrative performance, and service to the legal profession and the public. The Commission finds that Judge Chaffin demonstrates excellent legal knowledge and applies the law appropriately in the cases before him. Judge Chaffin is consistently well prepared, and issues prompt well-reasoned rulings grounded in law and fact. Judge Chaffin’s hard work and integrity are noted by both prosecutors and defense attorneys. The Commission has directly observed Judge Chaffin’s noteworthy dedication to the legal profession, ability to manage complex matters effectively while maintaining appropriate control over the courtroom proceedings, and timely issuance of orders moving cases forward in a timely and orderly manner.

The Commission also finds that Judge Chaffin exhibits a judicial temperament that is fair, respectful, compassionate, and professional. He treats parties, attorneys, litigants, and court staff with dignity, values their time, and actively works to solve problems humanely and creatively. Based on the totality of the information reviewed, the Commission determined that Judge Chaffin is an asset to the Mesa County Judicial system and consistently demonstrates the competencies required of a judicial officer.

Judge Chaffin received an undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Idaho in 2005 and earned his law degree from the University of Colorado School of Law in 2011. He worked as a Special Assistant Attorney General at the Colorado Attorney General’s Office in the Consumer Protection Section before clerking for Judge Nancy Lichtenstein at the Colorado Court of Appeals. In 2014 he moved to Grand Junction where he worked as a prosecutor with the 21st Judicial District until 2017. Prior to his appointment to the bench, he worked as an Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Colorado prosecuting federal crimes throughout western Colorado. Judge Chaffin was sworn in as a District Court Judge in the 21st Judicial District in December 2022.

1300 Broadway, Suite 220 Denver, Colorado 80203

(303) 928-7777

The evaluation on judicialperformance.colorado.gov · 2026 Retention Survey Report (PDF) · 2025 Interim Survey Report (PDF)

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

Income listed: up to $759,997; debts: up to $524,998 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).

StatementFiledWhat it lists
2026 Annual
District Court Judge
2026-01-103 income sources, 6 assets, 2 colorado property, 2 offices and directorships, 1 state-regulated businesses, 2 debts
2025 Annual
District Court Judge
2025-01-033 income sources, 3 assets, 1 colorado property, 1 offices and directorships, 1 state-regulated businesses, 2 debts
2024 Annual
District Court Judge
2024-01-033 income sources, 1 assets, 1 colorado property, 1 offices and directorships, 1 state-regulated businesses, 2 debts

Findings

None.