Ann Rotolo at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Colorado · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Ann Rotolo
Judge · Colorado County Court, El Paso County
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 · Colorado County Court, El Paso County · County Court Judge
10 For / primary
0 Against / secondary
Published measures
Case Management: Responses Promptly issues a decision on the case after
Overall: 3.5 / 4 (N=21)Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=21)Non-Attorneys: 3.6 / 4 (N=21)
Case Management: trial. Maintains appropriate control over proceedings.
Overall: 3.5 / 4 (N=24)Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=24)Non-Attorneys: 3.7 / 4 (N=24)
Case Management: Promptly rules on pre-trial motions.
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=20)Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=20)Non-Attorneys: 3.6 / 4 (N=20)
Case Management: Sets reasonable schedules for cases.
Overall: 3.6 / 4 (N=24)Attorneys: 3.7 / 4 (N=24)Non-Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=24)
Case Management: Provides an alternative to in-person hearings
Overall: 3.6 / 4 (N=18)Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=18)Non-Attorneys: 3.6 / 4 (N=18)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Responses Is able to identify and analyze relevant facts.
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=24)Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=24)Non-Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=24)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Bases decisions on evidence and arguments.
Overall: 3.1 / 4 (N=9)Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=9)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Issues consistent decisions when the
Overall: 3 / 4 (N=9)Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=9)
Application and Knowledge of Law: circumstances are similar. Rulings cite the applicable substantive law.
Overall: 3 / 4 (N=8)Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=8)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Consistently applies laws and rules.
Overall: 2.9 / 4 (N=9)Attorneys: 2.9 / 4 (N=9)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Gives reasons for rulings.
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=15)Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=15)Non-Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=15)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Willing to make decisions without regard to
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=15)Non-Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=15)
Communications: Responses Makes sure all participants understand the
Overall: 3.7 / 4 (N=24)Attorneys: 3.8 / 4 (N=24)Non-Attorneys: 3.6 / 4 (N=24)
Communications: proceedings. When issuing a ruling, the judge provides an
Overall: 3.6 / 4 (N=9)Attorneys: 3.6 / 4 (N=9)
Communications: explanation for the decision. Provides written communications that are clear,
Overall: 3 / 4 (N=7)Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=7)
Communications: thorough, and well- reasoned. Listens carefully during court proceedings.
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=9)Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=9)
Communications: Uses language that everyone can understand.
Overall: 3.6 / 4 (N=15)Non-Attorneys: 3.6 / 4 (N=15)
Communications: Speaks clearly so everyone in the courtroom
Overall: 3.7 / 4 (N=15)Non-Attorneys: 3.7 / 4 (N=15)
Communications: can understand what's being said. Gives reasons for a ruling when needed.
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=14)Non-Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=14)
Demeanor: Responses Gives proceedings a sense of dignity.
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=24)Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=24)Non-Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=24)
Demeanor: Treats participants with respect.
Overall: 3.5 / 4 (N=24)Attorneys: 3.6 / 4 (N=24)Non-Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=24)
Demeanor: Reacts to an incident(s) in the courtroom
Overall: 3.1 / 4 (N=8)Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=8)
Demeanor: appropriately. Addresses individuals (e.g. attorneys, court staff, litigants, public witnesses) respectfully in
Overall: 3.9 / 4 (N=9)Attorneys: 3.9 / 4 (N=9)
Demeanor: the courtroom. Maintains a professional demeanor in the
Overall: 3.6 / 4 (N=9)Attorneys: 3.6 / 4 (N=9)
Demeanor: courtroom. Has a sense of compassion and human
Overall: 3.5 / 4 (N=14)Non-Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=14)
Diligence: Responses Uses good judgment in application of relevant
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=9)Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=9)
Diligence: law and rules. Is willing to handle cases on the docket even when they are complicated and time
Overall: 3.5 / 4 (N=8)Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=8)
Diligence: consuming. Does the necessary “homework” and is
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=9)Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=9)
Diligence: prepared for cases. Begins court on time.
Overall: 3.7 / 4 (N=15)Non-Attorneys: 3.7 / 4 (N=15)
Diligence: Maintains appropriate control over proceedings.
Overall: 3.8 / 4 (N=15)Non-Attorneys: 3.8 / 4 (N=15)
Diligence: Sets reasonable schedules for cases.
Overall: 3.8 / 4 (N=15)Non-Attorneys: 3.8 / 4 (N=15)
Diligence: Is prepared for cases
Overall: 3.6 / 4 (N=15)Non-Attorneys: 3.6 / 4 (N=15)
Diligence: Manages court proceedings so there is little
Overall: 3.5 / 4 (N=15)Non-Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=15)
Fairness: Responses Gives participants an opportunity to be heard.
Overall: 3.5 / 4 (N=15)Non-Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=15)
Fairness: Treats those involved in the case without bias.
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=15)Non-Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=15)
Fairness: Treats people fairly who represent themselves.
Overall: 2.9 / 4 (N=11)Non-Attorneys: 2.9 / 4 (N=11)
Fairness: Gives each side enough time to present their
Overall: 3.5 / 4 (N=15)Non-Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=15)Overall: 3.7 / 4 (N=9)Attorneys: 3.7 / 4 (N=9)
Fairness: case. Conducts their courtroom in a neutral manner.
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=9)Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=9)
Fairness: Is fair and impartial to both sides.
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=9)Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=9)
Published standards
Colorado statutory judicial performance standards
The Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously agrees by a vote of 10-0 that Judge Ann M. Rotolo MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS . The judicial performance standards are integrity, legal knowledge, communication skills, judicial temperament, administrative performance, and service to the legal profession and the public.
Participation
Attorney email invite
9 returned / 349 distributed
Attorney Survey Website
0 returned
Total Attorneys
9 returned
Non-attorney email Invite
10 returned / 437 distributed
Court Staff Email Invite (Self-select)
2 returned / 2,782 distributed
Citizen Feedback
0 returned
Juror Survey
3 returned
Total Non-Attorneys
15 returned
Commission narrative
The Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously agrees by a vote of 10-0 that Judge Ann M. Rotolo MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS . The judicial performance standards are integrity, legal knowledge, communication skills, judicial temperament, administrative performance, and service to the legal profession and the public.
Judge Rotolo’s docket is primarily misdemeanor cases and some (approximately 20%) civil cases. Survey respondents rate her performance overall at 3.5 out of 4.0, and 21 of 23 respondents believe she meets performance standards. Judge Rotolo’s strengths include her deep legal knowledge from many years of experience, communication skills, and demeanor. When participants in the legal proceedings seem overwhelmed, she attempts to slow the proceedings and offer additional explanations. This ensures that each person appearing before her is equipped and empowered. The Commission received concerns that Judge Rotolo may overstep her judicial role and become overly involved in case resolution prior to trial. Judge Rotolo explained that she does encourage parties to negotiate a satisfactory resolution in appropriate cases because, as the saying goes, “When two elephants fight, it’s the grass that suffers.”
The Commission’s decision is based on a thorough process that included interviews with Judge Rotolo, Chief Judge Sokol, and representatives from the offices of the Public Defender and the District Attorney, as well as a review of the judge’s self-evaluation, written rulings, and survey report.
Judge Rotolo has served on the County Court since her 2008 appointment by Governor Bill Ritter. She graduated with honors from Miami University in Ohio and earned her J.D. from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law in 1991. Before taking the bench, she worked as a deputy county attorney, in private practice, and as a magistrate. Judge Rotolo sat on the Colorado Judicial Disciplinary Review Board for almost 17 years. She recently resigned from the State Personnel Rules Committee after over 13 years and the ComCor Board after over 5 years. She participates in Teen Court.
Evaluation history
2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · Historical cycles are shown separately until instrument compatibility is established.
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 ↗