---
title: "John Mochel | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/john-mochel-co-county-court-judge-3rd-judicial-district"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# John Mochel

Colorado County Court, Las Animas County, Huerfano County · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Colorado County Court, Las Animas County, Huerfano County
- State: Colorado
- Role: Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-26

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## 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/john-mochel)
- [Official roster](https://www.coloradojudicial.gov/contact/john-mochel)
- [Colorado Judicial Branch official judicial roster](https://www.coloradojudicial.gov/contact/john-mochel)
- [Request for Expanded Media Coverage](https://www.coloradojudicial.gov/media/request-expanded-media-coverage?topic=76&wrapped=true)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- John D. Mochel is a Colorado county court judge who served as the Las Animas County Court Judge for the Third Judicial District (covering Las Animas and Huerfano counties) from 2019 until his retirement in January 2026
- U.S. Marine Corps Judge Advocate (2009–2014) — served as trial counsel and Assistant Staff Judge Advocate to the Commanding General of Camp Lejeune
- Assistant General Counsel for DaVita Inc. and Orthofix Medical, specializing in healthcare and commercial contract law

### Education

- M.B.A. — University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2014)
- George Washington University Law School — LL.M. (2011)
- West Virginia University College of Law — J.D. (2010)
- B.B.A. — Baylor University (1999)

### Additional information

- Mochel was appointed by Governor Jared Polis in 2019 and re‐elected in 2022
- He was admitted to the Colorado Supreme Court in 2018 and the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania in 2010
- Dallas Police Officer (2002–2007)
- Before joining the bench, Mochel had a diverse career
- He will relocate to Nashville, Tennessee, where he has also been active in corporate legal roles, including as Senior Operations Counsel at HCA Healthcare



## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [Request for Expanded Media Coverage](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-18f557a3dab23203e245f5e3) — Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim.  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.