Elizabeth D. Leith at a glance
- Current role
- Presiding Judge
- Court
- Denver Probate Court
- Jurisdiction
- Colorado · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Elizabeth D. Leith
Presiding Judge · Denver Probate 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 · Denver Probate Court · Presiding Judge
10 For / primary
0 Against / secondary
Published measures
Case Management: Responses Promptly issues a decision on the case after
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=38)Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=38)Non-Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=38)
Case Management: trial. Maintains appropriate control over proceedings.
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=40)Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=40)Non-Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=40)
Case Management: Promptly rules on pre-trial motions.
Overall: 2.8 / 4 (N=34)Attorneys: 2.9 / 4 (N=34)Non-Attorneys: 2.4 / 4 (N=34)
Case Management: Sets reasonable schedules for cases.
Overall: 3 / 4 (N=39)Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=39)Non-Attorneys: 2.9 / 4 (N=39)
Case Management: Provides an alternative to in-person hearings
Overall: 3.7 / 4 (N=39)Attorneys: 3.7 / 4 (N=39)Non-Attorneys: 3.9 / 4 (N=39)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Responses Is able to identify and analyze relevant facts.
Overall: 3.6 / 4 (N=40)Attorneys: 3.6 / 4 (N=40)Non-Attorneys: 3.6 / 4 (N=40)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Bases decisions on evidence and arguments.
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=32)Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=32)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Issues consistent decisions when the
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=29)Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=29)
Application and Knowledge of Law: circumstances are similar. Rulings cite the applicable substantive law.
Overall: 3.5 / 4 (N=30)Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=30)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Consistently applies laws and rules.
Overall: 3.5 / 4 (N=32)Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=32)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Gives reasons for rulings. 3.4 3.4 - 31 Willing to make decisions without regard to
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=8)Non-Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=8)
Communications: Responses Makes sure all participants understand the
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=36)Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=36)Non-Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=36)
Communications: proceedings. When issuing a ruling, the judge provides an
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=31)Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=31)
Communications: explanation for the decision. Provides written communications that are clear,
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=31)Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=31)
Communications: thorough, and well- reasoned. Listens carefully during court proceedings.
Overall: 3.5 / 4 (N=30)Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=30)
Communications: Uses language that everyone can understand.
Overall: 3.5 / 4 (N=8)Non-Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=8)
Communications: Speaks clearly so everyone in the courtroom
Overall: 3.6 / 4 (N=8)Non-Attorneys: 3.6 / 4 (N=8)
Communications: can understand what's being said. Gives reasons for a ruling when needed.
Overall: 3.6 / 4 (N=8)Non-Attorneys: 3.6 / 4 (N=8)
Demeanor: Responses Gives proceedings a sense of dignity.
Overall: 3.5 / 4 (N=38)Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=38)Non-Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=38)
Demeanor: Treats participants with respect.
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=38)Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=38)Non-Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=38)
Demeanor: Reacts to an incident(s) in the courtroom
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=25)Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=25)
Demeanor: appropriately. Addresses individuals (e.g. attorneys, court staff, litigants, public witnesses) respectfully in
Overall: 3.6 / 4 (N=30)Attorneys: 3.6 / 4 (N=30)
Demeanor: the courtroom. Maintains a professional demeanor in the
Overall: 3.5 / 4 (N=30)Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=30)
Demeanor: courtroom. Has a sense of compassion and human
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=8)Non-Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=8)
Diligence: Responses Uses good judgment in application of relevant
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=31)Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=31)
Diligence: law and rules. Is willing to handle cases on the docket even when they are complicated and time
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=23)Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=23)
Diligence: consuming. Does the necessary “homework” and is
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=30)Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=30)
Diligence: prepared for cases. Begins court on time.
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=8)Non-Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=8)
Diligence: Maintains appropriate control over proceedings.
Overall: 3.6 / 4 (N=8)Non-Attorneys: 3.6 / 4 (N=8)
Diligence: Sets reasonable schedules for cases.
Overall: 3 / 4 (N=7)Non-Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=7)
Diligence: Is prepared for cases
Overall: 3.6 / 4 (N=8)Non-Attorneys: 3.6 / 4 (N=8)
Diligence: Manages court proceedings so there is little
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=8)Non-Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=8)
Fairness: Responses Gives participants an opportunity to be heard.
Overall: 3.6 / 4 (N=8)Non-Attorneys: 3.6 / 4 (N=8)
Fairness: Treats those involved in the case without bias.
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=8)Non-Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=8)
Fairness: Treats people fairly who represent themselves.
Overall: 3.6 / 4 (N=7)Non-Attorneys: 3.6 / 4 (N=7)
Fairness: Gives each side enough time to present their
Overall: 3.6 / 4 (N=7)Non-Attorneys: 3.6 / 4 (N=7)Overall: 3.6 / 4 (N=30)Attorneys: 3.6 / 4 (N=30)
Fairness: case. Conducts their courtroom in a neutral manner.
Overall: 3.5 / 4 (N=30)Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=30)
Fairness: Is fair and impartial to both sides.
Overall: 3.5 / 4 (N=30)Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=30)
Published standards
Colorado statutory judicial performance standards
The Second Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously agrees by a vote of 10-0 that Judge Elizabeth D. Leith 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 the public.
Participation
Attorney email invite
35 returned / 550 distributed
Attorney Survey Website
0 returned
Total Attorneys
35 returned
Non-attorney email Invite
8 returned / 266 distributed
Court Staff Email Invite (Self-select)
0 returned / 2,782 distributed
Citizen Feedback
0 returned
Juror Survey
0 returned
Total Non-Attorneys
8 returned
Commission narrative
The Second Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously agrees by a vote of 10-0 that Judge Elizabeth D. Leith 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 the public.
Judge Leith presides over matters in the Denver Probate Court. Judge Leith meets all aspects of the performance criteria on which she is evaluated. The Commission found Judge Leith to be an experienced and hardworking jurist who demonstrates judicial efficiency and exceptional judicial demeanor. Judge Leith’s written decisions are definitive, thorough, and well-reasoned. Her notable strengths, as observed by the Commission and described in survey responses, include her deep knowledge of probate and mental health law, her fair and respectful treatment of parties, and her ability to manage effectively complex and emotionally difficult cases. The Commission, based on its observation and analysis of survey responses, did not identify any evaluation category in which Judge Leith displayed a notable weakness as to the performance criteria. Because of the unique nature and complexity of mental health and probate cases, there are no productivity benchmarks.
The Commission met with the Chief Judge of Denver District Court to discuss challenges facing the court system and also met with the Denver District Attorney, a representative of the Denver Office of the Colorado State Public Defender, and the Public Administrator of Denver Probate Court. The Commission conducted a personal interview with Judge Leith and observed her during court proceedings. It also reviewed opinions she authored, comments received from interested parties during the evaluation, case management data, and judicial performance survey responses from attorneys and non-attorneys who interacted with her. The surveys reflected personal opinions regarding Judge Leith in the categories of case management, application and knowledge of the law, communications, diligence, demeanor, and fairness. A total of 35 attorneys and 8 non-attorneys responded to the judicial performance surveys expressing their opinion of Judge Leith. The overall information and data reviewed supports the Commission’s recommendation that Judge Leith meets performance standards.
Judge Leith was appointed to serve as the Presiding Judge for Denver Probate Court in July 2011. Prior to her appointment, Judge Leith served as a Magistrate Judge in Denver District Court, an Assistant City Attorney for the Denver City Attorney’s Office, and a Deputy District Attorney in El Paso and Teller County. Judge Leith serves on multiple Supreme Court and judicial branch committees and is a judicial coach and mentor for other judicial officers. Judge Leith received her undergraduate degree from Metropolitan State University of Denver and her law degree from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law.
Evaluation history
2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · Historical cycles are shown separately until instrument compatibility is established.
Biography
Professional career
- Judge Leith was appointed to serve as the Presiding Judge for Denver Probate Court in July 2011. Prior to her appointment, Judge Leith served as a Magistrate Judge in Denver District Court, an Assistant City Attorney for the Denver City Attorney’s Office, and a Deputy District Attorney in El Paso and Teller County. Judge Leith serves on multiple Supreme Court and judicial branch committees and is a judicial coach and mentor for other judicial officers. Judge Leith received her undergraduate degree from Metropolitan State University of Denver and her law degree from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law.
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
Request for Expanded Media Coverage
Statewide source · HTML · checked July 26, 2026
View Request for Expanded Media Coverage ↗