Christine Washburn at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Colorado · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Christine Washburn
Judge · 18th 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 · 18th 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: 2 / 4 (N=50)Attorneys: 2.5 / 4 (N=50)Non-Attorneys: 1.5 / 4 (N=50)
Case Management: trial. Maintains appropriate control over proceedings.
Overall: 2.8 / 4 (N=52)Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=52)Non-Attorneys: 1.9 / 4 (N=52)
Case Management: Promptly rules on pre-trial motions.
Overall: 2.2 / 4 (N=48)Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=48)Non-Attorneys: 1.6 / 4 (N=48)
Case Management: Sets reasonable schedules for cases.
Overall: 2.5 / 4 (N=51)Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=51)Non-Attorneys: 1.8 / 4 (N=51)
Case Management: Provides an alternative to in-person hearings
Overall: 2.9 / 4 (N=41)Attorneys: 3.7 / 4 (N=41)Non-Attorneys: 1.7 / 4 (N=41)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Responses Is able to identify and analyze relevant facts.
Overall: 2.7 / 4 (N=52)Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=52)Non-Attorneys: 1.8 / 4 (N=52)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Bases decisions on evidence and arguments.
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=26)Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=26)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Issues consistent decisions when the
Overall: 3.6 / 4 (N=17)Attorneys: 3.6 / 4 (N=17)
Application and Knowledge of Law: circumstances are similar. Rulings cite the applicable substantive law.
Overall: 3.5 / 4 (N=27)Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=27)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Consistently applies laws and rules.
Overall: 3.5 / 4 (N=25)Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=25)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Gives reasons for rulings.
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=28)Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=28)Non-Attorneys: 2 / 4 (N=28)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Willing to make decisions without regard to
Overall: 1.6 / 4 (N=24)Non-Attorneys: 1.6 / 4 (N=24)
Communications: Responses Makes sure all participants understand the
Overall: 3 / 4 (N=51)Attorneys: 3.6 / 4 (N=51)Non-Attorneys: 2.3 / 4 (N=51)
Communications: proceedings. When issuing a ruling, the judge provides an
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=27)Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=27)
Communications: explanation for the decision. Provides written communications that are clear,
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=27)Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=27)
Communications: thorough, and well- reasoned. Listens carefully during court proceedings.
Overall: 3.5 / 4 (N=27)Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=27)
Communications: Uses language that everyone can understand.
Overall: 2.8 / 4 (N=25)Non-Attorneys: 2.8 / 4 (N=25)
Communications: Speaks clearly so everyone in the courtroom
Overall: 2.8 / 4 (N=24)Non-Attorneys: 2.8 / 4 (N=24)
Communications: can understand what's being said. Gives reasons for a ruling when needed.
Overall: 2.1 / 4 (N=24)Non-Attorneys: 2.1 / 4 (N=24)
Demeanor: Responses Gives proceedings a sense of dignity.
Overall: 3.1 / 4 (N=52)Attorneys: 3.6 / 4 (N=52)Non-Attorneys: 2.4 / 4 (N=52)
Demeanor: Treats participants with respect.
Overall: 3 / 4 (N=52)Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=52)Non-Attorneys: 2.5 / 4 (N=52)
Demeanor: Reacts to an incident(s) in the courtroom
Overall: 3.7 / 4 (N=23)Attorneys: 3.7 / 4 (N=23)
Demeanor: appropriately. Addresses individuals (e.g. attorneys, court staff, litigants, public witnesses) respectfully in
Overall: 3.7 / 4 (N=26)Attorneys: 3.7 / 4 (N=26)
Demeanor: the courtroom. Maintains a professional demeanor in the
Overall: 3.7 / 4 (N=27)Attorneys: 3.7 / 4 (N=27)
Demeanor: courtroom. Has a sense of compassion and human
Overall: 1.9 / 4 (N=24)Non-Attorneys: 1.9 / 4 (N=24)
Diligence: Responses Uses good judgment in application of relevant
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=27)Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=27)
Diligence: law and rules. Is willing to handle cases on the docket even when they are complicated and time
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=22)Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=22)
Diligence: consuming. Does the necessary “homework” and is
Overall: 3.6 / 4 (N=24)Attorneys: 3.6 / 4 (N=24)
Diligence: prepared for cases. Begins court on time.
Overall: 2.8 / 4 (N=24)Non-Attorneys: 2.8 / 4 (N=24)
Diligence: Maintains appropriate control over proceedings.
Overall: 2.3 / 4 (N=23)Non-Attorneys: 2.3 / 4 (N=23)
Diligence: Sets reasonable schedules for cases.
Overall: 1.9 / 4 (N=23)Non-Attorneys: 1.9 / 4 (N=23)
Diligence: Is prepared for cases
Overall: 2 / 4 (N=24)Non-Attorneys: 2 / 4 (N=24)
Diligence: Manages court proceedings so there is little
Overall: 2.2 / 4 (N=24)Non-Attorneys: 2.2 / 4 (N=24)
Fairness: Responses Gives participants an opportunity to be heard.
Overall: 1.7 / 4 (N=23)Non-Attorneys: 1.7 / 4 (N=23)
Fairness: Treats those involved in the case without bias.
Overall: 1.6 / 4 (N=23)Non-Attorneys: 1.6 / 4 (N=23)
Fairness: Treats people fairly who represent themselves.
Overall: 2.1 / 4 (N=17)Non-Attorneys: 2.1 / 4 (N=17)
Fairness: Gives each side enough time to present their
Overall: 1.6 / 4 (N=24)Non-Attorneys: 1.6 / 4 (N=24)Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=27)Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=27)
Fairness: case. Conducts their courtroom in a neutral manner.
Overall: 3.5 / 4 (N=27)Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=27)
Fairness: Is fair and impartial to both sides.
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=28)Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=28)
Published standards
Colorado statutory judicial performance standards
The Eighteenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance agrees by a vote of 8-0, with one member absent and one vacancy on the Commission, that Judge Chirstine A. Washburn MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS . The Colorado statutory judicial performance criteria are integrity, legal knowledge, communication skills, judicial temperament, administrative performance, and service to the legal profession and to the public.
Participation
Attorney email invite
28 returned / 626 distributed
Attorney Survey Website
0 returned
Total Attorneys
28 returned
Non-attorney email Invite
25 returned / 1,113 distributed
Court Staff Email Invite (Self-select)
0 returned / 2,782 distributed
Citizen Feedback
0 returned
Juror Survey
0 returned
Total Non-Attorneys
25 returned
Commission narrative
The Eighteenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance agrees by a vote of 8-0, with one member absent and one vacancy on the Commission, that Judge Chirstine A. Washburn MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS . The Colorado statutory judicial performance criteria are integrity, legal knowledge, communication skills, judicial temperament, administrative performance, and service to the legal profession and to the public.
Judge Washburn’s docket consists entirely of domestic relations matters involving petitions for dissolution of marriage/legal separation and allocation of parental responsibilities. The Commission was unanimous that she meets judicial performance standards. She received praise for her demeanor, diligence and her application and knowledge of the law. Judge Washburn was described as patient, thoughtful, and attentive. While reference was made to Judge Washburn taking too much time to issue orders, the Commission concluded the sheer volume and complex issues in many cases contributed to this dynamic.
The Commission conducted a personal interview with Judge Washburn, reviewed opinions she authored, observed her in court, considered comments from interested parties during the evaluation, and assessed survey responses from attorneys and non-attorneys who had experience with Judge Washburn. The survey responses were low in number and did not identify many performance issues. This was consistent with the Commission’s overall findings. Most of the negative feedback came from non-attorneys, which is not surprising to the Commission given the type of docket Judge Washburn handles.
Judge Washburn was appointed to the bench on September 4, 2024. Prior to her appointment, she served as a Magistrate in the 18th Judicial District handling general domestic relations matters and the child support enforcement docket. Judge Washburn has also served as a part-time Magistrate in Denver County Court, handling protection orders, civil, forcible entry and detainer, criminal and general sessions matters. She worked as a Deputy District Attorney, Chief Deputy District Attorney and Senior Chief Deputy District Attorney for the Denver District Attorney’s Office from 1999 to 2021 and then opened a private law practice in 2022. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science, summa cum laude, in 1995 and her Juris Doctor in 1998, both from the University of Colorado at Boulder. She is actively involved in the Colorado Women’s Bar Association and a member of the Colorado Bar Association, the Arapahoe County Bar Association, the Asian Pacific Bar Association, the Colorado Hispanic Bar Association, South Asian Bar Association, and the Colorado LGBTQ+ Bar Association. For the Colorado Women’s Bar Association, she served as co-chair of the Professional Advancement Committee and currently serves as the Colorado Bar Association’s Board of Governor’s Representative. Judge Washburn contributes to the community by serving as a volunteer judge for the Colorado Bar Association’s High School Mock Trial Competition and assembling Lunar Year Gift Baskets for Asian families in need through APABA.
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 ↗