Katharine "Jenny" Ellison at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Colorado · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Katharine "Jenny" Ellison
Judge · Colorado County Court, Larimer County
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 · Colorado County Court, Larimer County · County Court Judge
8 For / primary
0 Against / secondary
Published measures
Case Management: Responses Promptly issues a decision on the case after
Overall: 3.6 / 4 (N=13)Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=13)Non-Attorneys: 3.7 / 4 (N=13)
Case Management: trial. Maintains appropriate control over proceedings.
Overall: 3.6 / 4 (N=16)Attorneys: 3.6 / 4 (N=16)Non-Attorneys: 3.6 / 4 (N=16)
Case Management: Promptly rules on pre-trial motions.
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=14)Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=14)Non-Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=14)
Case Management: Sets reasonable schedules for cases.
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=15)Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=15)Non-Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=15)
Case Management: Provides an alternative to in-person hearings
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=14)Attorneys: 3.6 / 4 (N=14)Non-Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=14)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Responses Is able to identify and analyze relevant facts.
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=15)Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=15)Non-Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=15)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Bases decisions on evidence and arguments.
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=8)Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=8)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Issues consistent decisions when the
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=8)Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=8)
Application and Knowledge of Law: circumstances are similar. Rulings cite the applicable substantive law.
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=8)Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=8)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Consistently applies laws and rules.
Overall: 3.1 / 4 (N=8)Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=8)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Gives reasons for rulings.
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=9)Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=9)Non-Attorneys: 2 / 4 (N=9)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Willing to make decisions without regard to
Overall: 2.7 / 4 (N=7)Non-Attorneys: 2.7 / 4 (N=7)
Communications: Responses Makes sure all participants understand the
Overall: 3.8 / 4 (N=14)Attorneys: 3.9 / 4 (N=14)Non-Attorneys: 3.7 / 4 (N=14)
Communications: proceedings. When issuing a ruling, the judge provides an
Overall: 3.6 / 4 (N=7)Attorneys: 3.6 / 4 (N=7)
Communications: explanation for the decision. Provides written communications that are clear,
Overall: 3.7 / 4 (N=7)Attorneys: 3.7 / 4 (N=7)
Communications: thorough, and well- reasoned. Listens carefully during court proceedings.
Overall: 3.9 / 4 (N=7)Attorneys: 3.9 / 4 (N=7)
Communications: Uses language that everyone can understand.
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=7)Non-Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=7)
Communications: Speaks clearly so everyone in the courtroom
Overall: 3.7 / 4 (N=7)Non-Attorneys: 3.7 / 4 (N=7)
Communications: can understand what's being said. Gives reasons for a ruling when needed.
Overall: 3.1 / 4 (N=7)Non-Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=7)
Demeanor: Responses Gives proceedings a sense of dignity.
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=14)Attorneys: 3.7 / 4 (N=14)Non-Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=14)
Demeanor: Treats participants with respect.
Overall: 3.5 / 4 (N=14)Attorneys: 3.6 / 4 (N=14)Non-Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=14)
Demeanor: Reacts to an incident(s) in the courtroom
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=7)Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=7)
Demeanor: appropriately. Addresses individuals (e.g. attorneys, court staff, litigants, public witnesses) respectfully in
Overall: 3.6 / 4 (N=7)Attorneys: 3.6 / 4 (N=7)
Demeanor: the courtroom. Maintains a professional demeanor in the
Overall: 3.6 / 4 (N=7)Attorneys: 3.6 / 4 (N=7)
Demeanor: courtroom. Has a sense of compassion and human
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=7)Non-Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=7)
Diligence: Responses Uses good judgment in application of relevant
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=7)Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=7)
Diligence: law and rules. Is willing to handle cases on the docket even when they are complicated and time
Overall: 3.7 / 4 (N=7)Attorneys: 3.7 / 4 (N=7)
Diligence: consuming. Does the necessary “homework” and is
Overall: 3.7 / 4 (N=7)Attorneys: 3.7 / 4 (N=7)
Diligence: prepared for cases. Begins court on time.
Overall: 3.7 / 4 (N=7)Non-Attorneys: 3.7 / 4 (N=7)
Diligence: Maintains appropriate control over proceedings.
Overall: 3.6 / 4 (N=7)Non-Attorneys: 3.6 / 4 (N=7)
Diligence: Sets reasonable schedules for cases.
Overall: 3.7 / 4 (N=7)Non-Attorneys: 3.7 / 4 (N=7)
Diligence: Is prepared for cases
Overall: 3.6 / 4 (N=7)Non-Attorneys: 3.6 / 4 (N=7)
Diligence: Manages court proceedings so there is little
Overall: 3.6 / 4 (N=7)Non-Attorneys: 3.6 / 4 (N=7)
Fairness: Responses Gives participants an opportunity to be heard.
Overall: 3.1 / 4 (N=7)Non-Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=7)
Fairness: Treats those involved in the case without bias.
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=7)Non-Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=7)
Fairness: Treats people fairly who represent themselves.
Overall: 3.6 / 4 (N=5)Non-Attorneys: 3.6 / 4 (N=5)
Fairness: Gives each side enough time to present their
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=7)Non-Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=7)Overall: 3.6 / 4 (N=7)Attorneys: 3.6 / 4 (N=7)
Fairness: case. Conducts their courtroom in a neutral manner.
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=7)Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=7)
Fairness: Is fair and impartial to both sides.
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=7)Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=7)
Published standards
Colorado statutory judicial performance standards
The Eighth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance finds that Judge Katharine "Jenny" Ellison MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS by a vote of 8-0 with one commissioner absent and one commission vacancy. The judicial performance standards are integrity, legal knowledge, communication skills, judicial temperament, administrative performance, and service to the legal profession and public.
Participation
Attorney email invite
9 returned / 240 distributed
Attorney Survey Website
0 returned
Total Attorneys
9 returned
Non-attorney email Invite
6 returned / 740 distributed
Court Staff Email Invite (Self-select)
1 returned / 2,782 distributed
Citizen Feedback
0 returned
Juror Survey
0 returned
Total Non-Attorneys
7 returned
Commission narrative
The Eighth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance finds that Judge Katharine "Jenny" Ellison MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS by a vote of 8-0 with one commissioner absent and one commission vacancy. The judicial performance standards are integrity, legal knowledge, communication skills, judicial temperament, administrative performance, and service to the legal profession and public.
Judge Ellison is highly supportive of access to justice in her courtroom, making effective use of remote appearances to accommodate out-of-state parties, individuals in inpatient treatment, and those who live far from the Larimer County Justice Center. Judge Ellison maintains impartiality in her rulings and actively seeks input from her colleagues to help ensure balanced and fair decisions. She works diligently to make the legal process fair and understandable for pro se parties, while remaining mindful of her role as the neutral judicial officer. Judge Ellison has demonstrated strong legal writing skills in her opinions and orders. At the same time, she acknowledges that she can further improve the reasoning and articulation of her oral rulings. The Commission also appreciates her commitment to mentoring younger members of the legal profession.
For this evaluation, the Commission interviewed Judge Ellison, read a selection of her legal opinions, observed her in court, reviewed her judicial performance survey report, interviewed the chief judge for the district, the district attorney and head of the public defenders’ office for the district, reviewed case management statistics, and reviewed her self-evaluation. As to the survey data, a total of 16 individuals, 9 attorneys and 7 non-attorneys, completed the survey, which is a markedly low response rate. Given the significantly low response rates to the surveys overall, the Commission gave the appropriate weight to the survey responses in its evaluation.
Judge Katharine "Jenny" Ellison was appointed to the Eighth Judicial County Court bench by Governor Jared Polis on February 27, 2020. Before her appointment to the bench, Judge Ellison practiced civil litigation and she also served in the District Attorney’s Office in the Eighth Judicial District from 2004 to 2018, where her work focused primarily on appeals and juvenile law. Judge Ellison received her bachelor’s degree from Colorado College in 1999 and her Juris Doctorate from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law in 2004.
Evaluation history
2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · Historical cycles are shown separately until instrument compatibility is established.
Biography
Judicial service
- Judge Katharine "Jenny" Ellison was appointed to the Eighth Judicial County Court bench by Governor Jared Polis on February 27, 2020.
Education
- University of Denver Sturm College of Law · J.D., 2004
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 ↗