Amanda Philipps at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Colorado · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Amanda Philipps
Judge · 4th Judicial District District Court
Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.
Available research
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures2 sourced items · labeled by scope
SourcesOfficial and public records supporting this profile
Judicial Performance Evaluation
Meets Performance Standards
Colorado Office of Judicial Performance Evaluation / applicable Commission on Judicial Performance · 2026 · 4th Judicial District District Court · District Court Judge
Published measures
Case Management: Responses Promptly issues a decision on the case after
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=18)Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=18)Non-Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=18)
Case Management: trial. Maintains appropriate control over proceedings.
Overall: 3.1 / 4 (N=19)Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=19)Non-Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=19)
Case Management: Promptly rules on pre-trial motions.
Overall: 3.1 / 4 (N=16)Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=16)Non-Attorneys: 2.4 / 4 (N=16)
Case Management: Sets reasonable schedules for cases.
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=19)Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=19)Non-Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=19)
Case Management: Provides an alternative to in-person hearings
Overall: 3.1 / 4 (N=14)Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=14)Non-Attorneys: 2 / 4 (N=14)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Responses Is able to identify and analyze relevant facts.
Overall: 3 / 4 (N=22)Attorneys: 2.8 / 4 (N=22)Non-Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=22)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Bases decisions on evidence and arguments.
Overall: 2.5 / 4 (N=11)Attorneys: 2.5 / 4 (N=11)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Issues consistent decisions when the
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=7)Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=7)
Application and Knowledge of Law: circumstances are similar. Rulings cite the applicable substantive law.
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=10)Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=10)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Consistently applies laws and rules.
Overall: 3.1 / 4 (N=10)Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=10)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Gives reasons for rulings.
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=21)Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=21)Non-Attorneys: 3.7 / 4 (N=21)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Willing to make decisions without regard to
Overall: 3 / 4 (N=8)Non-Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=8)
Communications: Responses Makes sure all participants understand the
Overall: 3 / 4 (N=22)Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=22)Non-Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=22)
Communications: proceedings. When issuing a ruling, the judge provides an
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=13)Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=13)
Communications: explanation for the decision. Provides written communications that are clear,
Overall: 2.9 / 4 (N=11)Attorneys: 2.9 / 4 (N=11)
Communications: thorough, and well- reasoned. Listens carefully during court proceedings.
Overall: 2.5 / 4 (N=10)Attorneys: 2.5 / 4 (N=10)
Communications: Uses language that everyone can understand.
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=10)Non-Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=10)
Communications: Speaks clearly so everyone in the courtroom
Overall: 2.8 / 4 (N=10)Non-Attorneys: 2.8 / 4 (N=10)
Communications: can understand what's being said. Gives reasons for a ruling when needed.
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=10)Non-Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=10)
Demeanor: Responses Gives proceedings a sense of dignity.
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=20)Attorneys: 2.9 / 4 (N=20)Non-Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=20)
Demeanor: Treats participants with respect.
Overall: 3 / 4 (N=20)Attorneys: 2.9 / 4 (N=20)Non-Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=20)
Demeanor: Reacts to an incident(s) in the courtroom
Overall: 2.7 / 4 (N=6)Attorneys: 2.7 / 4 (N=6)
Demeanor: appropriately. Addresses individuals (e.g. attorneys, court staff, litigants, public witnesses) respectfully in
Overall: 2.8 / 4 (N=10)Attorneys: 2.8 / 4 (N=10)
Demeanor: the courtroom. Maintains a professional demeanor in the
Overall: 3 / 4 (N=10)Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=10)
Demeanor: courtroom. Has a sense of compassion and human
Overall: 3.1 / 4 (N=10)Non-Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=10)
Diligence: Responses Uses good judgment in application of relevant
Overall: 2.7 / 4 (N=11)Attorneys: 2.7 / 4 (N=11)
Diligence: law and rules. Is willing to handle cases on the docket even when they are complicated and time
Overall: 3 / 4 (N=8)Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=8)
Diligence: consuming. Does the necessary “homework” and is
Overall: 2.9 / 4 (N=9)Attorneys: 2.9 / 4 (N=9)
Diligence: prepared for cases. Begins court on time.
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=10)Non-Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=10)
Diligence: Maintains appropriate control over proceedings.
Overall: 3.1 / 4 (N=10)Non-Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=10)
Diligence: Sets reasonable schedules for cases.
Overall: 3 / 4 (N=8)Non-Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=8)
Diligence: Is prepared for cases
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=10)Non-Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=10)
Diligence: Manages court proceedings so there is little
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=10)Non-Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=10)
Fairness: Responses Gives participants an opportunity to be heard.
Overall: 3.6 / 4 (N=9)Non-Attorneys: 3.6 / 4 (N=9)
Fairness: Treats those involved in the case without bias.
Overall: 3.6 / 4 (N=9)Non-Attorneys: 3.6 / 4 (N=9)
Fairness: Treats people fairly who represent themselves.
Overall: 3 / 4 (N=4)Non-Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=4)
Fairness: Gives each side enough time to present their
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=9)Non-Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=9)Overall: 3.1 / 4 (N=10)Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=10)
Fairness: case. Conducts their courtroom in a neutral manner.
Overall: 2.9 / 4 (N=10)Attorneys: 2.9 / 4 (N=10)
Fairness: Is fair and impartial to both sides.
Overall: 2.6 / 4 (N=11)Attorneys: 2.6 / 4 (N=11)
Published standards
Colorado statutory judicial performance standards
Meets Performance Standards
Participation
Attorney email invite
13 returned / 644 distributed
Attorney Survey Website
0 returned
Total Attorneys
13 returned
Non-attorney email Invite
2 returned / 248 distributed
Court Staff Email Invite (Self-select)
3 returned / 2,782 distributed
Citizen Feedback
0 returned
Juror Survey
5 returned
Total Non-Attorneys
10 returned
Commission narrative
District Court Judge Philipps currently presides over a docket that is 50% criminal and 50% civil. She previously handled a docket that was 50% domestic relations and 50% civil. She currently serves as the presiding judge in the court’s criminal cases, recognized for her deep knowledge and experience in criminal law. Attorneys and non-attorneys alike described her in survey responses as hard-working, calm and professional in demeanor, knowledgeable on the law, fair, and respectful. Survey responders rated her above 3.0 out of 4.0 on every metric measured. The two appellate judges who responded to the survey each gave Judge Philipps a perfect rating of 4.0. Although the Survey results are not statistically valid due to low response rate (only 23 people responded of 892 invited), the high marks comport with the other information the Commission collected.
The Commission personally interviewed Judge Philipps, reviewed several of her written orders, reviewed judicial performance data, and observed Judge Philipps in Court. The Commission also received feedback on Judge Philipps from the Chief Judge of the Fourth Judicial District as well as representatives of both the District Attorney’s and the Public Defender’s Offices. She is described as “thoughtful,” “very fair and impartial,” and is said to have a “great judicial demeanor.” Her communication skills appear to the Commission to be excellent. Her opinions are clear and well written. The Judge proactively manages her cases so that they are efficiently heard and determined. Despite lacking a background in civil law, Judge Philipps has made significant progress in handling civil matters from inception through trial.
The Governor appointed Judge Philipps to the District Court on January 1, 2024. Before that, Judge Philipps was a Magistrate in the Fourth Judicial District, a Public Defender, and in private practice. Judge Philipps graduated from Middlebury College in Vermont in 2000 and from the University of Colorado Law School in 2004. Judge Philipps is committed to service in her community, giving her time and expertise to organizations that provide education and awareness on the impact of inequities within the judicial system. The Commission is impressed with Judge Philipps and believes that she is an important addition to the District Court bench.
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Expanded Media Coverage
Statewide
Colorado expanded media coverage requests must comply with Chapter 38, Rule 3 and are submitted to the court before the proceeding; authorization remains subject to court rules, orders, restrictions, and limitations.
you agree with the criteria set forth in Chapter 38, Rule 3, as well as all orders, rules, restrictions, or limitations issued or imposed by the courtRequest for Expanded Media Coverage ↗
Expanded Media Notice
Statewide
Colorado expanded media coverage applications generally must be submitted at least twenty-four hours before the court proceeding, though judges may consider shorter-notice requests in some circumstances.
Expanded Media Coverage applications to be submitted at least 24 hours in advance of the court proceeding in question.Request for Expanded Media Coverage ↗
Sources
Colorado Judicial Branch official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · checked July 26, 2026
View Colorado Judicial Branch official judicial roster ↗Request for Expanded Media Coverage
Statewide source · HTML · checked July 26, 2026
View Request for Expanded Media Coverage ↗