Christopher B. Rhamey at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Colorado · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Christopher B. Rhamey
Judge · 1st 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 · 1st Judicial District District Court · District Court Judge
Published measures
Case Management: Responses Promptly issues a decision on the case after
Overall: 2.9 / 4 (N=42)Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=42)Non-Attorneys: 2.6 / 4 (N=42)
Case Management: trial. Maintains appropriate control over proceedings.
Overall: 3.1 / 4 (N=50)Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=50)Non-Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=50)
Case Management: Promptly rules on pre-trial motions.
Overall: 3 / 4 (N=42)Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=42)Non-Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=42)
Case Management: Sets reasonable schedules for cases.
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=48)Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=48)Non-Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=48)
Case Management: Provides an alternative to in-person hearings
Overall: 3.1 / 4 (N=38)Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=38)Non-Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=38)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Responses Is able to identify and analyze relevant facts.
Overall: 2.8 / 4 (N=50)Attorneys: 2.5 / 4 (N=50)Non-Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=50)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Bases decisions on evidence and arguments.
Overall: 2.6 / 4 (N=20)Attorneys: 2.6 / 4 (N=20)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Issues consistent decisions when the
Overall: 2.4 / 4 (N=13)Attorneys: 2.4 / 4 (N=13)
Application and Knowledge of Law: circumstances are similar. Rulings cite the applicable substantive law.
Overall: 2.4 / 4 (N=18)Attorneys: 2.4 / 4 (N=18)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Consistently applies laws and rules.
Overall: 2.2 / 4 (N=17)Attorneys: 2.2 / 4 (N=17)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Gives reasons for rulings.
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=34)Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=34)Non-Attorneys: 3.6 / 4 (N=34)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Willing to make decisions without regard to
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=25)Non-Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=25)
Communications: Responses Makes sure all participants understand the
Overall: 3.1 / 4 (N=50)Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=50)Non-Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=50)
Communications: proceedings. When issuing a ruling, the judge provides an
Overall: 2.8 / 4 (N=20)Attorneys: 2.8 / 4 (N=20)
Communications: explanation for the decision. Provides written communications that are clear,
Overall: 2.2 / 4 (N=20)Attorneys: 2.2 / 4 (N=20)
Communications: thorough, and well- reasoned. Listens carefully during court proceedings.
Overall: 2.8 / 4 (N=19)Attorneys: 2.8 / 4 (N=19)
Communications: Uses language that everyone can understand.
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=30)Non-Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=30)
Communications: Speaks clearly so everyone in the courtroom
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=30)Non-Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=30)
Communications: can understand what's being said. Gives reasons for a ruling when needed.
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=30)Non-Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=30)
Demeanor: Responses Gives proceedings a sense of dignity.
Overall: 3 / 4 (N=48)Attorneys: 2.7 / 4 (N=48)Non-Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=48)
Demeanor: Treats participants with respect.
Overall: 3.1 / 4 (N=48)Attorneys: 2.9 / 4 (N=48)Non-Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=48)
Demeanor: Reacts to an incident(s) in the courtroom
Overall: 2.6 / 4 (N=10)Attorneys: 2.6 / 4 (N=10)
Demeanor: appropriately. Addresses individuals (e.g. attorneys, court staff, litigants, public witnesses) respectfully in
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=18)Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=18)
Demeanor: the courtroom. Maintains a professional demeanor in the
Overall: 3.1 / 4 (N=18)Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=18)
Demeanor: courtroom. Has a sense of compassion and human
Overall: 3.1 / 4 (N=30)Non-Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=30)
Diligence: Responses Uses good judgment in application of relevant
Overall: 2.1 / 4 (N=17)Attorneys: 2.1 / 4 (N=17)
Diligence: law and rules. Is willing to handle cases on the docket even when they are complicated and time
Overall: 3 / 4 (N=10)Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=10)
Diligence: consuming. Does the necessary “homework” and is
Overall: 2.4 / 4 (N=16)Attorneys: 2.4 / 4 (N=16)
Diligence: prepared for cases. Begins court on time.
Overall: 3 / 4 (N=30)Non-Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=30)
Diligence: Maintains appropriate control over proceedings.
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=29)Non-Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=29)
Diligence: Sets reasonable schedules for cases.
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=28)Non-Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=28)
Diligence: Is prepared for cases
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=29)Non-Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=29)
Diligence: Manages court proceedings so there is little
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=29)Non-Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=29)
Fairness: Responses Gives participants an opportunity to be heard.
Overall: 3.1 / 4 (N=30)Non-Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=30)
Fairness: Treats those involved in the case without bias.
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=30)Non-Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=30)
Fairness: Treats people fairly who represent themselves.
Overall: 3.5 / 4 (N=22)Non-Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=22)
Fairness: Gives each side enough time to present their
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=30)Non-Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=30)Overall: 3 / 4 (N=15)Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=15)
Fairness: case. Conducts their courtroom in a neutral manner.
Overall: 2.6 / 4 (N=17)Attorneys: 2.6 / 4 (N=17)
Fairness: Is fair and impartial to both sides.
Overall: 2.6 / 4 (N=17)Attorneys: 2.6 / 4 (N=17)
Published standards
Colorado statutory judicial performance standards
Meets Performance Standards
Participation
Attorney email invite
20 returned / 650 distributed
Attorney Survey Website
0 returned
Total Attorneys
20 returned
Non-attorney email Invite
11 returned / 330 distributed
Court Staff Email Invite (Self-select)
1 returned / 2,782 distributed
Citizen Feedback
2 returned
Juror Survey
17 returned
Total Non-Attorneys
31 returned
Commission narrative
The First Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously (9-0, 1 abstention) finds that Judge Christopher Rhamey MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS .
Judge Rhamey was appointed to the District Court in Jefferson County on July 31, 2023. He presides over criminal, civil, and domestic relations cases. Judge Rhamey’s demeanor is described as calm, professional, and attentive. His approach to case management is effective, and he does not have any cases open that are over eighteen months old. Judge Rhamey issues orders on motions in a timely and efficient manner, often working into the night so that he can ensure the facts of the case are fresh in his mind while he is writing his orders. He is considered to be very knowledgeable about criminal law, and other judges seek his mentorship in this area. He prepares diligently for sentencing hearings and believes it is important to balance the risk to the community against the needs of the defendant while also considering the message it sends to the community. Judge Rhamey is still growing in his knowledge of civil and domestic relations law and is actively seeking mentorship and education in these areas. It is very important to Judge Rhamey that he always asks himself – and others – how he can improve in every aspect of his job, and the Commission believes that Judge Rhamey has been and will continue to be an asset to the judicial bench.
The Commission conducted a personal interview with Judge Rhamey, reviewed opinions he authored, observed him in court, reviewed comments received from interested parties during the evaluation, and reviewed survey responses from attorneys and non-attorneys who had experience with Judge Rhamey. Survey responses noted Judge Rhamey’s knowledge of the law, preparation for hearings, and willingness to learn in areas with which the judge was less familiar. There were references that his tone in written orders could be harsh. The commission took extra care to examine the judge’s orders and concluded that Judge Rhamey’s tone was appropriate.
Prior to Judge Rhamey’s appointment to the bench, Judge Rhamey worked for the Adams County District Attorney’s Office where he specialized in child victim crimes and supervised nearly every unit in the office. He attended and played baseball for Pointe Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, California, then graduated from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law in 2012. Judge Rhamey worked as a youth baseball coach before becoming an attorney and continues to coach baseball for his son’s Little League team. Judge Rhamey heads all wiretaps for Jefferson County and participates in Criminal Bench Bar meetings.
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 ↗