Caryn A. Datz at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Colorado · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Caryn A. Datz
Judge · 17th Judicial District District Court
Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.
Available research
Biography and careerSource-attributed professional, judicial, and education record
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 · 17th Judicial District District Court · District Court Judge
8 For / primary
0 Against / secondary
Published measures
Case Management: Responses Promptly issues a decision on the case after
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=20)Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=20)Non-Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=20)
Case Management: trial. Maintains appropriate control over proceedings.
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=29)Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=29)Non-Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=29)
Case Management: Promptly rules on pre-trial motions.
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=25)Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=25)Non-Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=25)
Case Management: Sets reasonable schedules for cases.
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=28)Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=28)Non-Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=28)
Case Management: Provides an alternative to in-person hearings
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=26)Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=26)Non-Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=26)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Responses Is able to identify and analyze relevant facts.
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=29)Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=29)Non-Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=29)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Bases decisions on evidence and arguments.
Overall: 3.1 / 4 (N=16)Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=16)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Issues consistent decisions when the
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=16)Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=16)
Application and Knowledge of Law: circumstances are similar. Rulings cite the applicable substantive law.
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=16)Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=16)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Consistently applies laws and rules.
Overall: 3.1 / 4 (N=16)Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=16)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Gives reasons for rulings.
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=22)Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=22)Non-Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=22)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Willing to make decisions without regard to
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=13)Non-Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=13)
Communications: Responses Makes sure all participants understand the
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=29)Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=29)Non-Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=29)
Communications: proceedings. When issuing a ruling, the judge provides an
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=16)Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=16)
Communications: explanation for the decision. Provides written communications that are clear,
Overall: 3.6 / 4 (N=14)Attorneys: 3.6 / 4 (N=14)
Communications: thorough, and well- reasoned. Listens carefully during court proceedings.
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=16)Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=16)
Communications: Uses language that everyone can understand.
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=13)Non-Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=13)
Communications: Speaks clearly so everyone in the courtroom
Overall: 3.1 / 4 (N=13)Non-Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=13)
Communications: can understand what's being said. Gives reasons for a ruling when needed.
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=13)Non-Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=13)
Demeanor: Responses Gives proceedings a sense of dignity.
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=29)Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=29)Non-Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=29)
Demeanor: Treats participants with respect.
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=29)Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=29)Non-Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=29)
Demeanor: Reacts to an incident(s) in the courtroom
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=15)Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=15)
Demeanor: appropriately. Addresses individuals (e.g. attorneys, court staff, litigants, public witnesses) respectfully in
Overall: 3.1 / 4 (N=16)Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=16)
Demeanor: the courtroom. Maintains a professional demeanor in the
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=16)Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=16)
Demeanor: courtroom. Has a sense of compassion and human
Overall: 3.5 / 4 (N=13)Non-Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=13)
Diligence: Responses Uses good judgment in application of relevant
Overall: 3.5 / 4 (N=15)Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=15)
Diligence: law and rules. Is willing to handle cases on the docket even when they are complicated and time
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=15)Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=15)
Diligence: consuming. Does the necessary “homework” and is
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=16)Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=16)
Diligence: prepared for cases. Begins court on time.
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=13)Non-Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=13)
Diligence: Maintains appropriate control over proceedings.
Overall: 3.5 / 4 (N=13)Non-Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=13)
Diligence: Sets reasonable schedules for cases.
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=13)Non-Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=13)
Diligence: Is prepared for cases
Overall: 3.5 / 4 (N=13)Non-Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=13)
Diligence: Manages court proceedings so there is little
Overall: 3.5 / 4 (N=13)Non-Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=13)
Fairness: Responses Gives participants an opportunity to be heard.
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=13)Non-Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=13)
Fairness: Treats those involved in the case without bias.
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=13)Non-Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=13)
Fairness: Treats people fairly who represent themselves.
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=11)Non-Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=11)
Fairness: Gives each side enough time to present their
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=13)Non-Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=13)Overall: 3 / 4 (N=15)Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=15)
Fairness: case. Conducts their courtroom in a neutral manner.
Overall: 2.8 / 4 (N=16)Attorneys: 2.8 / 4 (N=16)
Fairness: Is fair and impartial to both sides.
Overall: 2.8 / 4 (N=16)Attorneys: 2.8 / 4 (N=16)
Published standards
Colorado statutory judicial performance standards
The Seventeenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance agrees by a vote of 8-0, with two commissioners absent, that Judge Caryn A. Datz MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS .
Participation
Attorney email invite
16 returned / 279 distributed
Attorney Survey Website
0 returned
Total Attorneys
16 returned
Non-attorney email Invite
7 returned / 355 distributed
Court Staff Email Invite (Self-select)
4 returned / 2,782 distributed
Citizen Feedback
0 returned
Juror Survey
2 returned
Total Non-Attorneys
13 returned
Commission narrative
The Seventeenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance agrees by a vote of 8-0, with two commissioners absent, that Judge Caryn A. Datz MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS .
Judge Datz presided over a juvenile delinquency and dependency and neglect docket until last year when she returned to a criminal docket. The Judicial Performance Commission observed Judge Datz conduct proceedings, reviewed selected written decisions, and analyzed survey results provided by attorneys, non-attorneys and appellate judges. The commission also interviewed Judge Datz, interviewed the Chief Judge of the 17th Judicial District, and representatives from the Public Defender’s Office and the District Attorney’s Office. The Commission reviewed judicial performance data and Judge Datz’s self-evaluation. After evaluating this information, the voting Commission members unanimously agreed that Judge Datz meets performance standards.
Judge Datz is considerate of all in her courtroom and provides written communications that are clear, thorough and well-reasoned. She gives participants an opportunity to be heard, while managing the proceedings and maintaining appropriate control over her courtroom. Citizens appearing in her courtroom find her to be well-prepared and thorough. She knows the law and applies it consistently and impartially. Her demeanor is professional, which promotes an atmosphere of respect and public confidence in her integrity. Judge Datz is articulate and displays an ability to express herself thoughtfully, a valuable skill in sensitive or difficult situations. She demonstrates that she is knowledgeable, professional and organized. She also actively participates in a number of community service activities and serves as an educator for several legal and non-legal organizations.
Judge Datz serves as a District Court judge for the 17th Judicial District covering Adams and Broomfield Counties. She was appointed to the District Court bench in August of 2018 by then Governor Hickenlooper. Prior to her appointment, Judge Datz was a Chief Trial Deputy for the 20th Judicial District Office of the District Attorney in Boulder County. A graduate of the University of Miami School of Law (2001), Judge Datz earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin in 1998 with a B.A. in Spanish and English. She has taught as an adjunct professor at the University of Colorado School of Law and is an active member of several community organizations.
Evaluation history
2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · Historical cycles are shown separately until instrument compatibility is established.
Biography
Professional career
- A graduate of the University of Miami School of Law (2001), Judge Datz began her career as an Assistant Public Defender for the Office of the Public Defender in the 11th District of Florida.
- Most recently, Judge Datz served as a Chief Trial Deputy and Senior Deputy District Attorney in Boulder County.
- After relocating to Colorado, she served as a Deputy District Attorney and as a Chief Trial Deputy in Adams and Broomfield Counties.
Judicial service
- Caryn A. Datz was appointed to the District Court bench by Governor Hickenlooper in August of 2018.
- Judge Datz serves as a District Court judge for the 17th Judicial District.
Education
- Caryn A. Datz is a 2017 graduate of the Colorado Bar Association Leadership Training (COBALT), has taught as an adjunct professor at the University of Colorado School of Law, and is an active member of several community organizations.
- A graduate of the University of Miami School of Law (2001), Judge Datz began her career as an Assistant Public Defender for the Office of the Public Defender in the 11th District of Florida.
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 ↗