J. Chris Larson at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Colorado · State
- Judicial service
- Active
J. Chris Larson
Judge · 20th Judicial District District 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 · 20th Judicial District District Court · District Court Judge
Published measures
Case Management: Responses Promptly issues a decision on the case after
Overall: 2.6 / 4 (N=30)Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=30)Non-Attorneys: 2.2 / 4 (N=30)
Case Management: trial. Maintains appropriate control over proceedings.
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=43)Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=43)Non-Attorneys: 2.8 / 4 (N=43)
Case Management: Promptly rules on pre-trial motions.
Overall: 2.7 / 4 (N=34)Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=34)Non-Attorneys: 2 / 4 (N=34)
Case Management: Sets reasonable schedules for cases.
Overall: 2.8 / 4 (N=40)Attorneys: 2.8 / 4 (N=40)Non-Attorneys: 2.8 / 4 (N=40)
Case Management: Provides an alternative to in-person hearings
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=32)Attorneys: 3.7 / 4 (N=32)Non-Attorneys: 2.7 / 4 (N=32)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Responses Is able to identify and analyze relevant facts.
Overall: 3.1 / 4 (N=45)Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=45)Non-Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=45)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Bases decisions on evidence and arguments.
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=29)Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=29)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Issues consistent decisions when the
Overall: 3.5 / 4 (N=17)Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=17)
Application and Knowledge of Law: circumstances are similar. Rulings cite the applicable substantive law.
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=28)Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=28)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Consistently applies laws and rules.
Overall: 3.5 / 4 (N=26)Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=26)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Gives reasons for rulings.
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=36)Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=36)Non-Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=36)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Willing to make decisions without regard to
Overall: 2.8 / 4 (N=15)Non-Attorneys: 2.8 / 4 (N=15)
Communications: Responses Makes sure all participants understand the
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=43)Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=43)Non-Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=43)
Communications: proceedings. When issuing a ruling, the judge provides an
Overall: 3.5 / 4 (N=28)Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=28)
Communications: explanation for the decision. Provides written communications that are clear,
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=25)Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=25)
Communications: thorough, and well- reasoned. Listens carefully during court proceedings.
Overall: 3.6 / 4 (N=27)Attorneys: 3.6 / 4 (N=27)
Communications: Uses language that everyone can understand.
Overall: 3.1 / 4 (N=16)Non-Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=16)
Communications: Speaks clearly so everyone in the courtroom
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=16)Non-Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=16)
Communications: can understand what's being said. Gives reasons for a ruling when needed.
Overall: 2.9 / 4 (N=15)Non-Attorneys: 2.9 / 4 (N=15)
Diligence: Responses Uses good judgment in application of relevant
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=29)Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=29)
Diligence: law and rules. Is willing to handle cases on the docket even when they are complicated and time
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=23)Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=23)
Diligence: consuming. Does the necessary “homework” and is
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=29)Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=29)
Diligence: prepared for cases. Begins court on time.
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=16)Non-Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=16)
Diligence: Maintains appropriate control over proceedings.
Overall: 3 / 4 (N=16)Non-Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=16)
Diligence: Sets reasonable schedules for cases.
Overall: 2.9 / 4 (N=15)Non-Attorneys: 2.9 / 4 (N=15)
Diligence: Is prepared for cases
Overall: 3.1 / 4 (N=16)Non-Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=16)
Diligence: Manages court proceedings so there is little
Overall: 2.9 / 4 (N=16)Non-Attorneys: 2.9 / 4 (N=16)
Fairness: Responses Gives participants an opportunity to be heard.
Overall: 3.1 / 4 (N=16)Non-Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=16)
Fairness: Treats those involved in the case without bias.
Overall: 3.1 / 4 (N=16)Non-Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=16)
Fairness: Treats people fairly who represent themselves.
Overall: 3 / 4 (N=10)Non-Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=10)
Fairness: Gives each side enough time to present their
Overall: 3.1 / 4 (N=16)Non-Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=16)Overall: 3.5 / 4 (N=26)Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=26)
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: 3.6 / 4 (N=27)Attorneys: 3.6 / 4 (N=27)
Published standards
Colorado statutory judicial performance standards
Meets Performance Standards
Participation
Attorney email invite
29 returned / 667 distributed
Attorney Survey Website
0 returned
Total Attorneys
29 returned
Non-attorney email Invite
5 returned / 178 distributed
Court Staff Email Invite (Self-select)
2 returned / 2,782 distributed
Citizen Feedback
0 returned
Juror Survey
9 returned
Total Non-Attorneys
16 returned
Commission narrative
Since Judge Larson’s appointment in 2024, he has presided primarily over civil cases. The Commission found Judge Larson to be hardworking, diligent, and thoughtful in his courtroom preparation and decision-making. He has implemented case-management practices designed to reduce delay and litigant expense, including providing oral rulings from the bench. He is committed to both substantive and procedural fairness and makes meaningful efforts to ensure that pro se parties understand the proceedings and have an opportunity to participate. Judge Larson’s demeanor and temperament further convey to litigants his commitment to fairness.
The Commission on Judicial Performance evaluates judges on six standards: legal knowledge, communication, integrity, judicial temperament and service to the legal profession. To evaluate Judge Larson’s performance, the Commission observed him in court, reviewed opinions he authored, considered his self-evaluation, held a public hearing to invite comments, and reviewed responses to a survey distributed to all persons who have appeared in his court. The Commission also conducted personal interviews with Judge Larson, the District Attorney, the Chief Judge and representatives of the Boulder Defense Bar.
Judge Larson was appointed as a District Judge in May 2024. Prior to judicial service, Judge Larson was an attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice for more than twenty years where he served in leadership roles in Washington, D.C. and Colorado. Before joining the Department of Justice, Judge Larson was a law clerk for a federal District Court Judge. He received his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School and undergraduate and master’s degrees from Syracuse University. While at Syracuse, he attended the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. He has participated in a variety of educational programs serving students from high school through law school, and he has worked to support expanded educational opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Recently, he began serving as the 20th Judicial District’s ex-officio representative to the Boulder County Bar Association.
Biography
Professional career
- J. Chris Larson served in various leadership roles for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Colorado, where he was the statewide law enforcement coordinator working with law enforcement throughout Colorado.
- As an Assistant U.S. Attorney, he litigated affirmative civil fraud matters, was a civil defense attorney, and handled white collar criminal prosecutions.
- Prior to judicial service, Judge Larson was an attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice for more than twenty years.
- J. Chris Larson is a two-time recipient of the Attorney General’s Distinguished Service Award.
- In Washington, D.C., Judge Larson was Counsel in the office of the Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division.
- Before joining the Department of Justice, Judge Larson was a law clerk for a federal District Court Judge.
Judicial service
- Before joining the Department of Justice, Judge Larson was a law clerk for a federal District Court Judge.
- Governor Jared Polis appointed Judge Larson to the District Court on May 11, 2024.
Education
- J. Chris Larson graduated cum laude from the University of Michigan Law School.
- Prior to law school, he worked in non-fiction television production in New York City.
- J. Chris Larson received his undergraduate and master’s degrees from Syracuse University, after attending the S.I.
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 ↗