Katharine E. Lum at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Colorado · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Katharine E. Lum
Judge · Colorado Court of Appeals
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 Court of Appeals · Court of Appeals Judge
9 For / primary
0 Against / secondary
Published measures
Writing: .....................................................................................................11 Summary of Results For Judge Lum, 25 individuals completed surveys with at least a single rating question answered. This report reflects these 25 responses. Invitation Number of Respondent Type Sent Responses Attorney email invite 372 6 Attorney Survey Website N/A 0 Total Attorneys - 6 judges 253 19 Total N/A 25 Respondents were asked to rate the judges on these aspects of judicial performance using a five-point scale where one is “Inadequate performance” and five is “Outstanding performance.” A three on the scale would indicate “Adequate performance.” They can select any number between one and five. These point scales were converted to a numeric scale from 0 to 4: Inadequate performance – 0; Adequate performance – 2; Outstanding performance – 4. 2026 Judicial Performance Survey Report for Judge Katharine E Lum 3 4.0 3.8 Overall Grade
Judges: 3.8 / 4 (N=25)
Writing: 2026 Judicial Performance Survey Report for Judge Katharine E Lum 4 Judge Lum Score 0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 2023 4.0 2024 3.8 2025 4.0 Judge Lum Score Judge Lum Number of Score Responses 2019 - - 2020 - - 2021 - - 2022 - - 2023
Judges: 4 / 4 (N=1)
Writing: 2024
Judges: 3.8 / 4 (N=27)
Writing: 2025
Judges: 4 / 4 (N=14)
General: Is fair and impartial toward each side of the
Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=6)Judges: 3.9 / 4 (N=18)
General: case. Conducts hearings in a neutral manner.
Attorneys: 4 / 4 (N=6)Judges: 3.9 / 4 (N=16)
General: 2026 Judicial Performance Survey Report for Judge Katharine E Lum 8 Appellate Writing (Attorneys) Number of Responses Writes opinions that are clear.
Attorneys: 4 / 4 (N=4)
General: Writes opinions that adequately explain the
Attorneys: 4 / 4 (N=4)Judges: 3.8 / 4 (N=19)
General: basis of the Court's decision. Issues opinions in a timely manner.
Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=5)Judges: 3.7 / 4 (N=17)
General: Makes decisions without regard to possible
Attorneys: 4 / 4 (N=5)Judges: 3.8 / 4 (N=19)
General: criticism. Makes reasoned decisions based upon the law
Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=5)Judges: 3.7 / 4 (N=19)
General: and facts. Refrains from reaching issues that need not be
Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=6)Judges: 3.7 / 4 (N=19)
General: 2026 Judicial Performance Survey Report for Judge Katharine E Lum 10 Appellate Writing (Judges) Number of Responses Writes opinions that are clear.
Judges: 3.7 / 4 (N=19)
Published standards
Colorado statutory judicial performance standards
The State Commission on Judicial Performance finds that Judge Katharine E. Lum, by vote of 9-0 with one commissioner absent, and one commission vacancy, MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS . Colorado’s statutory judicial performance standards are integrity, legal knowledge, communication skills, judicial temperament, and service to the legal profession and the public.
Participation
Attorney email invite
6 returned / 372 distributed
Attorney Survey Website
0 returned
Total Attorneys
6 returned
judges
19 returned / 253 distributed
Commission narrative
The State Commission on Judicial Performance finds that Judge Katharine E. Lum, by vote of 9-0 with one commissioner absent, and one commission vacancy, MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS . Colorado’s statutory judicial performance standards are integrity, legal knowledge, communication skills, judicial temperament, and service to the legal profession and the public.
Judge Lum was appointed to the Colorado Court of Appeals in 2022 and has served for four years. This is her first time standing for retention. The Commission finds she embodies the qualities of an outstanding appellate judge and is a valuable asset to the Colorado Court of Appeals. Her opinions are fair and thoughtful, and she delivers well-reasoned decisions based on the law and facts. She is an exceptional judicial writer who conveys her opinions in a clear and accessible style understood by litigants, practitioners, and members of the public alike. She arrives well-prepared to oral arguments, and is engaged, present, and respectful in the Courtroom. She also serves as the Liaison to the 15th Judicial District. Beyond her duties as a judge, she participates in community service activities that advance the court’s mission.
The Commission conducted its evaluation of Judge Lum by considering her self-evaluation, observing her oral arguments, examining a selection of her legal opinions (including dissents), conducting an in-person interview with her, and reviewing survey responses submitted by attorneys and judges. Every survey respondent agreed that Judge Lum meets performance standards. She received positive feedback in regard to her strong listening, polite and respectful nature, and thorough preparation.
Judge Lum earned her JD from the University of California Berkeley School of Law. Prior to joining the bench, she was Of Counsel with Cooper Ramp Cage Bucar Lewis (and predecessor firms) where she specialized in domestic relations law at the trial and appellate levels; and she clerked for the Honorable Gregory J. Hobbs Jr. of the Colorado Supreme Court. She serves on the Supreme Court Standing Committee on Family Issues; as the Court of Appeals liaison and coordinator for a long-standing externship program with Colorado law schools; and as a board member of the Minoru Yasui Inn of Court.
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 ↗