The Twentieth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance, by a vote of 10-0, finds that Judge Zachary Ilya Malkinson MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS .
Judge Malkinson presides over traffic, misdemeanor, civil, criminal, and small claims cases in the 20th Judicial District in Boulder, CO. His judicial temperament is engaged, respectful, and even-tempered. His courtroom is well managed and efficient. His decisions are thoughtful and well-reasoned, reflecting careful consideration of the issues and a strong command of the law. His written rulings and communication from the bench are clear and professional. Judge Malkinson is well-prepared and effectively balances the tension between managing his docket efficiently and giving each case the time that it requires. Survey results show that both attorneys and non-attorneys appreciate his understanding and application of the law, and the effort that he makes to explain it in his rulings.
The Judicial Performance Commission evaluates judges on six standards: legal knowledge, communication, administrative performance, integrity, judicial temperament, and service to the legal profession. To evaluate Judge Malkinson’s performance the Commission observed him in court, reviewed opinions he authored, considered his self-evaluation, held a public meeting to invite comments, and reviewed responses to a survey distributed to all persons who have appeared in his court. The Commission also conducted personal interviews with Judge Malkinson, the District Attorney, and a representative of the Boulder defense bar.
Judge Malkinson was appointed to the County Court bench in January 2019. Prior to his appointment, he practiced as a partner in two Boulder law firms and as a solo practitioner where his law practice focused on criminal defense. Before entering private practice, Judge Malkinson was a trial attorney for the Alameda County Public Defender’s Office in Oakland, CA. Judge Malkinson attended Boulder High School, earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Iowa, and received his law degree from the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco (formerly UC Hastings) in 2001. He participates annually in the Colorado High School Mock Trial competitions, where he was the presiding judge for the February 2025 and 2026 sessions, speaks at Boulder County Bar Association events, and serves on the planning committee for the annual Judicial Conference.
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