Tayler M. Thomas

The Tenth Judicial District Commission finds by a majority vote that Judge Tayler M. Thomas MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS . Of the 10 voting Commissioners, 7 voted “meets performance standards” and 3 voted “does not meet performance standards”.

Currently, Judge Thomas presides over a Domestic Relations and Civil Docket. Judge Thomas has been a judge for three years. Judge Thomas is well-organized, prompt in her rulings, and is proactive in ensuring her docket runs smoothly. In an effort to become a better judge, including working on better formulating her court orders that integrate the law and facts, Judge Thomas routinely seeks advice from a senior judge and employs a research attorney. Judge Thomas takes advantage of learning opportunities, including trainings offered by the judicial branch and the Colorado Bar Association. Although improving, the Commission finds Judge Thomas continues to lack impartiality. Judge Thomas, at times, favors one litigant over another, based, in part, by the litigants’ attorneys. The Commission is confident Judge Thomas will continue to work on this bias.

The Commission on Judicial Performance evaluates judges on six standards: legal knowledge, communication, administrative performance, integrity, judicial temperament, and service to the legal profession. To adequately evaluate Judge Thomas on these standards, the Commission interviewed Judge Thomas, Chief Judge Gregory Styduhar, the public defender’s office head, and the District Attorney. Additionally, the Commission observed Judge Thomas in the courtroom, and reviewed written public comments, and reviewed written orders drafted by Judge Thomas. While Judge Thomas volunteers at her daughter’s school and in the past has served as a mentor for a middle school student, the Commission would like to see Judge Thomas become more involved in community service activities in Pueblo such as engaging in efforts that directly inform citizens about the courts, promotion of transparency, and building trust between the Pueblo court and the Pueblo community.

Judge Thomas was appointed to the district court bench in May of 2023. Prior to becoming a judge, Judge Thomas was employed at the 10th Judicial District public defender’s office for six years. Judge Thomas received her Juris Doctorate from Creighton University School of Law in Omaha, NE and her bachelor’s degree from Colorado State University-Pueblo. Judge Thomas is a native Pueblo resident who enjoys family time, cooking, and traveling.

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