--- title: "Frances Johnson | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/frances-johnson-co-district-court-judge-4th-judicial-district" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Frances Johnson 4th Judicial District District Court · Judge ## Profile - Court: 4th Judicial District District Court - State: Colorado - Role: Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-26 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Judge Frances R. Johnson is a District Court Judge in Colorado’s 4th Judicial District (El Paso & Teller Counties), appointed by Governor Jared Polis in October 2019 and sworn in on January 1, 2020 - Judge Frances R. Johnson serves in the 4th Judicial District Court of Colorado, Division 24 - First female African American judge in El Paso County - Attorney, Travis County Juvenile Office - Judge Frances R. Johnson continues to serve as a key judicial figure in Colorado’s 4th Judicial District - Assistant Attorney General, Texas Attorney General’s Office ### Education - University of Texas School of Law — J.D. (1997) ### Additional information - District Court Judge (2020–present): Handles domestic relations and criminal matters. - She was first appointed in 2019 and later retained in 2022, where the Judicial Performance Commission unanimously found that she meets performance standards. - Probate Magistrate (2013–2019). - Civil litigator at The Carey Law Firm. - Guardian ad Litem in El Paso County. - Assistant City Attorney, City of Austin. - Recognized for fairness, strong legal knowledge, clear communication, and professionalism. - Survey results show high marks from both attorneys and non-attorneys in case management, demeanor, and respect for participants. - Featured in the Colorado Bar Association’s Diversity on the Bench Spotlight series. ## Before you appear - Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed. - Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance. - Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding. ## Courtroom Rules ### expanded media coverage Scope: 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. Evidence excerpt: 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 court [Request for Expanded Media Coverage](https://www.coloradojudicial.gov/media/request-expanded-media-coverage?topic=76&wrapped=true) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### expanded media notice Scope: 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. Evidence excerpt: Expanded Media Coverage applications to be submitted at least 24 hours in advance of the court proceeding in question. [Request for Expanded Media Coverage](https://www.coloradojudicial.gov/media/request-expanded-media-coverage?topic=76&wrapped=true) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://www.coloradojudicial.gov/contact/frances-johnson) - [Official roster](https://www.coloradojudicial.gov/contact/frances-johnson) - [Colorado Judicial Branch official judicial roster](https://www.coloradojudicial.gov/contact/frances-johnson) - [Request for Expanded Media Coverage](https://www.coloradojudicial.gov/media/request-expanded-media-coverage?topic=76&wrapped=true) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/frances-johnson-co-district-court-judge-4th-judicial-district", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/frances-johnson-co-district-court-judge-4th-judicial-district", "name": "Frances Johnson | KnowJudges", "description": "Frances Johnson, 4th Judicial District District Court. 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Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://www.coloradojudicial.gov/media/request-expanded-media-coverage?topic=76&wrapped=true). Collected 2026-07-26.