Dana Nichols at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Colorado · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Dana Nichols
Judge · Colorado County Court, Weld County
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 · Colorado County Court, Weld County · County Court Judge
8 For / primary
0 Against / secondary
Published measures
Case Management: Responses Promptly issues a decision on the case after
Overall: 3 / 4 (N=15)Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=15)Non-Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=15)
Case Management: trial. Maintains appropriate control over proceedings.
Overall: 2.8 / 4 (N=18)Attorneys: 2.9 / 4 (N=18)Non-Attorneys: 2.8 / 4 (N=18)
Case Management: Promptly rules on pre-trial motions.
Overall: 2.7 / 4 (N=15)Attorneys: 2.1 / 4 (N=15)Non-Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=15)
Case Management: Sets reasonable schedules for cases.
Overall: 2.5 / 4 (N=17)Attorneys: 2.6 / 4 (N=17)Non-Attorneys: 2.4 / 4 (N=17)
Case Management: Provides an alternative to in-person hearings
Overall: 2.9 / 4 (N=17)Attorneys: 2.9 / 4 (N=17)Non-Attorneys: 2.9 / 4 (N=17)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Responses Is able to identify and analyze relevant facts.
Overall: 2.8 / 4 (N=17)Attorneys: 2.6 / 4 (N=17)Non-Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=17)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Bases decisions on evidence and arguments.
Overall: 2.6 / 4 (N=9)Attorneys: 2.6 / 4 (N=9)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Issues consistent decisions when the
Overall: 2.1 / 4 (N=8)Attorneys: 2.1 / 4 (N=8)
Application and Knowledge of Law: circumstances are similar. Rulings cite the applicable substantive law.
Overall: 2.5 / 4 (N=8)Attorneys: 2.5 / 4 (N=8)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Consistently applies laws and rules.
Overall: 2.5 / 4 (N=8)Attorneys: 2.5 / 4 (N=8)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Gives reasons for rulings.
Overall: 2.5 / 4 (N=13)Attorneys: 2.4 / 4 (N=13)Non-Attorneys: 2.8 / 4 (N=13)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Willing to make decisions without regard to
Overall: 2.9 / 4 (N=8)Non-Attorneys: 2.9 / 4 (N=8)
Communications: Responses Makes sure all participants understand the
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=17)Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=17)Non-Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=17)
Communications: proceedings. When issuing a ruling, the judge provides an
Overall: 2.3 / 4 (N=9)Attorneys: 2.3 / 4 (N=9)
Communications: explanation for the decision. Provides written communications that are clear,
Overall: 2 / 4 (N=8)Attorneys: 2 / 4 (N=8)
Communications: thorough, and well- reasoned. Listens carefully during court proceedings.
Overall: 3.1 / 4 (N=9)Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=9)
Communications: Uses language that everyone can understand.
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=8)Non-Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=8)
Communications: Speaks clearly so everyone in the courtroom
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=8)Non-Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=8)
Communications: can understand what's being said. Gives reasons for a ruling when needed.
Overall: 3.1 / 4 (N=8)Non-Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=8)
Demeanor: Responses Gives proceedings a sense of dignity.
Overall: 3.1 / 4 (N=17)Attorneys: 2.9 / 4 (N=17)Non-Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=17)
Demeanor: Treats participants with respect.
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=17)Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=17)Non-Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=17)
Demeanor: Reacts to an incident(s) in the courtroom
Overall: 3.1 / 4 (N=7)Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=7)
Demeanor: appropriately. Addresses individuals (e.g. attorneys, court staff, litigants, public witnesses) respectfully in
Overall: 3.6 / 4 (N=9)Attorneys: 3.6 / 4 (N=9)
Demeanor: the courtroom. Maintains a professional demeanor in the
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=9)Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=9)
Demeanor: courtroom. Has a sense of compassion and human
Overall: 2.9 / 4 (N=8)Non-Attorneys: 2.9 / 4 (N=8)
Diligence: Responses Uses good judgment in application of relevant
Overall: 2.2 / 4 (N=9)Attorneys: 2.2 / 4 (N=9)
Diligence: law and rules. Is willing to handle cases on the docket even when they are complicated and time
Overall: 2.7 / 4 (N=6)Attorneys: 2.7 / 4 (N=6)
Diligence: consuming. Does the necessary “homework” and is
Overall: 2 / 4 (N=8)Attorneys: 2 / 4 (N=8)
Diligence: prepared for cases. Begins court on time.
Overall: 3 / 4 (N=8)Non-Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=8)
Diligence: Maintains appropriate control over proceedings.
Overall: 3.1 / 4 (N=8)Non-Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=8)
Diligence: Sets reasonable schedules for cases.
Overall: 2.8 / 4 (N=8)Non-Attorneys: 2.8 / 4 (N=8)
Diligence: Is prepared for cases
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=8)Non-Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=8)
Diligence: Manages court proceedings so there is little
Overall: 3.1 / 4 (N=8)Non-Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=8)
Fairness: Responses Gives participants an opportunity to be heard.
Overall: 3 / 4 (N=8)Non-Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=8)
Fairness: Treats those involved in the case without bias.
Overall: 2.9 / 4 (N=8)Non-Attorneys: 2.9 / 4 (N=8)
Fairness: Treats people fairly who represent themselves.
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=6)Non-Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=6)
Fairness: Gives each side enough time to present their
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=8)Non-Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=8)Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=9)Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=9)
Fairness: case. Conducts their courtroom in a neutral manner.
Overall: 2.4 / 4 (N=8)Attorneys: 2.4 / 4 (N=8)
Fairness: Is fair and impartial to both sides.
Overall: 2.5 / 4 (N=8)Attorneys: 2.5 / 4 (N=8)
Published standards
Colorado statutory judicial performance standards
The Nineteenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously agrees by vote of 8-0, with two commissioners absent, that Judge Dana Nichols MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS .
Participation
Attorney email invite
9 returned / 345 distributed
Attorney Survey Website
0 returned
Total Attorneys
9 returned
Non-attorney email Invite
6 returned / 691 distributed
Court Staff Email Invite (Self-select)
3 returned / 2,782 distributed
Citizen Feedback
0 returned
Juror Survey
0 returned
Total Non-Attorneys
9 returned
Commission narrative
The Nineteenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously agrees by vote of 8-0, with two commissioners absent, that Judge Dana Nichols MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS .
Judge Nichols currently presides over a County Court criminal docket in Weld County, Colorado. The Commission evaluated her performance on the following statutory criteria: integrity, legal knowledge, communication skills, judicial temperament, administrative performance, and service to the legal profession and the public. The Commission based its conclusions on observing Judge Nichols in court, a personal interview, reviewing survey responses from attorneys and non-attorneys who had been involved in cases in her courtroom, feedback received from the District Attorney’s Office and Office of the Public Defender, and reviewing a transcript, Court Order, and Appellate Order regarding a decision of the court. The Commission found that Judge Nichols was satisfactory in each of the statutory criteria, with 78% of attorneys and 88% of non-attorneys finding that Judge Nichols meets performance standards.
Judge Nichols received notable remarks for her demeanor on the bench and communication. She is observed to have a good judicial temperament and treats those who appears in her courtroom with kindness and respect. The Commission notes feedback suggesting Judge Nichols needs improvement in her legal knowledge, specifically ensuring her opinions are supported by the appropriate legal authority. Judge Nichols was receptive to this feedback, acknowledging that she needs to balance her use of plain language which facilitates clear understanding, to her obligation to safeguard the record with supporting legal authority. The Commission also acknowledges Judge Nichols’ contribution to the legal profession as a leader in the formation of a specialized Competency Court docket to help address mental health issues in County Court. Judge Nichols described this effort as a substantial undertaking but something that has been very important and rewarding. Her commitment to this endeavor is of great service to the legal profession and community.
Judge Nichols was appointed to the Weld County Court bench in 2007. Before her appointment, she served as a Deputy Public Defender for nearly 10 years in the Greeley, Pueblo, and Colorado Springs trial offices, as well as the Appellate division. She also spent three years in private civil practice in Denver with the firm of Kennedy & Christopher, P.C. Judge Nichols obtained her law degree from the University of Colorado School of Law and has an undergraduate degree in biological sciences from Colorado State University. Judge Nichols is a member of the County Court Judges Association (past president) and the Weld Chapter of the Colorado Women’s Bar Association. She previously served on state committees for the Colorado Rules of Criminal Procedure and the Colorado Senior Judge Program. She has authored chapters for the Colorado DUI Bench book. She currently serves on the Board for North Range Behavioral Health. Judge Nichols is currently assigned to Division 9, hearing all types of County Court cases including civil disputes, domestic violence, and DUI cases, and presiding over the Competency Court docket.
Evaluation history
2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · Historical cycles are shown separately until instrument compatibility is established.
Biography
Judicial service
- Judge Nichols was appointed to the County Court bench in 2007.
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 ↗