The Denver County Court Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously agrees by a vote of 5-0 that Judge Olympia Z. Fay MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS . The Colorado statutory judicial performance criteria are integrity, legal knowledge, communication skills, judicial temperament, administrative performance, and service to the legal profession and the public.
Judge Fay is a model of efficiency and has demonstrated the ability to clear inundated dockets and deliver justice in a timely manner. She balances warmth and kindness with a formality and professionalism that establishes decorum in the courtroom. She manages her docket in a way that ensures that all parties, including pro se litigants, have equal access to the court. She shows respect for everyone in the courtroom, including litigants, attorneys, witnesses, jurors and the general public. She has an expert knowledge of the law and is organized and well prepared. When asked, she provides feedback to guide new attorneys in their practice. A passionate believer in equal access to the courtroom, she has championed that cause in a way that elevates the community and the court. As a senior member of the bench, she encourages collegiality and a supportive atmosphere among judges, which has led to positive morale, collaboration and consistency throughout the court. She is responsive, approachable and well respected as a leader and colleague.
In evaluating Judge Fay, the commission did extensive live, livestream and recorded courtroom observations, conducted a personal interview with the judicial officer, and reviewed case management data and the judicial officer self-evaluation, with supporting documents when submitted, to inform its decision for meets/does not meet performance standards.
Judge Fay was appointed to the Denver County Court in January 2015. She serves on Court committees for human resources/employee engagement and community service and engagement. Prior to her appointment, she served as a Denver assistant city attorney for two years and as a deputy district attorney in Colorado’s 20th Judicial District. She began her legal career in private practice as a civil litigator, specializing in complex commercial litigation, securities litigation and intellectual property cases. She is an active member of the Colorado Women’s Bar Association, the Sam Cary Bar Association, the Colorado Bar Association and the Denver Bar Association and has earned awards for judicial excellence from the Colorado Judicial Institute and the Colorado Women’s Bar Association. She earned her undergraduate degree from Lenoir-Rhyne University and her law degree from the University of Denver.
1300 Broadway, Suite 220 Denver, Colorado 80203
(303) 928-7777