John Briggs at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Colorado · State
- Judicial service
- Active
John Briggs
Judge · Colorado County Court, Weld County
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 · Colorado County Court, Weld County · County Court Judge
Published measures
Case Management: Responses Promptly issues a decision on the case after
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=19)Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=19)Non-Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=19)
Case Management: trial. Maintains appropriate control over proceedings.
Overall: 3.6 / 4 (N=26)Attorneys: 3.6 / 4 (N=26)Non-Attorneys: 3.6 / 4 (N=26)
Case Management: Promptly rules on pre-trial motions.
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=21)Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=21)Non-Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=21)
Case Management: Sets reasonable schedules for cases.
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=25)Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=25)Non-Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=25)
Case Management: Provides an alternative to in-person hearings
Overall: 3.7 / 4 (N=23)Attorneys: 3.8 / 4 (N=23)Non-Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=23)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Responses Is able to identify and analyze relevant facts.
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=25)Attorneys: 3.7 / 4 (N=25)Non-Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=25)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Bases decisions on evidence and arguments.
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=14)Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=14)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Issues consistent decisions when the
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=10)Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=10)
Application and Knowledge of Law: circumstances are similar. Rulings cite the applicable substantive law.
Overall: 3.6 / 4 (N=13)Attorneys: 3.6 / 4 (N=13)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Consistently applies laws and rules.
Overall: 3.1 / 4 (N=14)Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=14)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Gives reasons for rulings.
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=20)Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=20)Non-Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=20)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Willing to make decisions without regard to
Overall: 3.1 / 4 (N=11)Non-Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=11)
Communications: Responses Makes sure all participants understand the
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=26)Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=26)Non-Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=26)
Communications: proceedings. When issuing a ruling, the judge provides an
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=14)Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=14)
Communications: explanation for the decision. Provides written communications that are clear,
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=11)Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=11)
Communications: thorough, and well- reasoned. Listens carefully during court proceedings.
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=14)Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=14)
Communications: Uses language that everyone can understand.
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=12)Non-Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=12)
Communications: Speaks clearly so everyone in the courtroom
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=12)Non-Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=12)
Communications: can understand what's being said. Gives reasons for a ruling when needed.
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=12)Non-Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=12)
Demeanor: Responses Gives proceedings a sense of dignity.
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=26)Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=26)Non-Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=26)
Demeanor: Treats participants with respect.
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=26)Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=26)Non-Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=26)
Demeanor: Reacts to an incident(s) in the courtroom
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=11)Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=11)
Demeanor: appropriately. Addresses individuals (e.g. attorneys, court staff, litigants, public witnesses) respectfully in
Overall: 3.5 / 4 (N=14)Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=14)
Demeanor: the courtroom. Maintains a professional demeanor in the
Overall: 3.6 / 4 (N=14)Attorneys: 3.6 / 4 (N=14)
Demeanor: courtroom. Has a sense of compassion and human
Overall: 2.9 / 4 (N=12)Non-Attorneys: 2.9 / 4 (N=12)
Diligence: Responses Uses good judgment in application of relevant
Overall: 3.1 / 4 (N=14)Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=14)
Diligence: law and rules. Is willing to handle cases on the docket even when they are complicated and time
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=10)Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=10)
Diligence: consuming. Does the necessary “homework” and is
Overall: 3 / 4 (N=14)Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=14)
Diligence: prepared for cases. Begins court on time.
Overall: 3.6 / 4 (N=12)Non-Attorneys: 3.6 / 4 (N=12)
Diligence: Maintains appropriate control over proceedings.
Overall: 3.6 / 4 (N=12)Non-Attorneys: 3.6 / 4 (N=12)
Diligence: Sets reasonable schedules for cases.
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=11)Non-Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=11)
Diligence: Is prepared for cases
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=12)Non-Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=12)
Diligence: Manages court proceedings so there is little
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=12)Non-Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=12)
Fairness: Responses Gives participants an opportunity to be heard.
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=12)Non-Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=12)
Fairness: Treats those involved in the case without bias.
Overall: 3 / 4 (N=12)Non-Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=12)
Fairness: Treats people fairly who represent themselves.
Overall: 3 / 4 (N=8)Non-Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=8)
Fairness: Gives each side enough time to present their
Overall: 3.5 / 4 (N=11)Non-Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=11)Overall: 3.1 / 4 (N=14)Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=14)
Fairness: case. Conducts their courtroom in a neutral manner.
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=14)Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=14)
Fairness: Is fair and impartial to both sides.
Overall: 3.1 / 4 (N=14)Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=14)
Published standards
Colorado statutory judicial performance standards
Meets Performance Standards
Participation
Attorney email invite
14 returned / 308 distributed
Attorney Survey Website
0 returned
Total Attorneys
14 returned
Non-attorney email Invite
7 returned / 786 distributed
Court Staff Email Invite (Self-select)
3 returned / 2,782 distributed
Citizen Feedback
1 returned
Juror Survey
1 returned
Total Non-Attorneys
12 returned
Commission narrative
The Nineteenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance, by an 8-0 vote, with two commissioners absent, finds that Judge John J. Briggs MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS .
The Commission evaluates judges on 6 standards: integrity, legal knowledge, communication skills, judicial temperament, administrative performance, and service to the legal profession and the public. Evaluation data includes courtroom observations, a personal interview, legal rulings, and participant surveys.
The Commission found Judge Briggs to be an exceptionally efficient, knowledgeable, and kind jurist. He maintains high courtroom standards with a confident, approachable demeanor. Strong personal awareness allows him to read between the lines and adapt seamlessly to the uniqueness of each case. Survey results show highly consistent scores across all categories. Judge Briggs genuinely enjoys his work.
Originally appointed to the Weld County Court bench in December 2010, Judge Briggs presides over Division 6, managing misdemeanor offenses, traffic violations, bond hearings, and county-level civil cases. His prior legal career includes the Central Research Staff for the Kansas Court of Appeals (1993–1996), 8 years as a Deputy Public Defender across Kansas and Colorado (1996–2004), and private defense practice in Greeley (2004–2010). He earned his law degree from the Washburn University School of Law in 1993. Outside the courtroom, Judge Briggs serves on the Weld Food Bank Board of Directors (previously as President and Vice President), volunteers as a mock trial judge, and participates in the statewide Judicial Peer-to-Peer coaching program. The Commission believes Judge Briggs is a distinct asset to the 19th Judicial District.
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 ↗