Kellie Starritt at a glance
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- Judge
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- Colorado · State
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- Active
Kellie Starritt
Judge · 7th Judicial District District Court
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 · 7th Judicial District District Court · District Court Judge
9 For / primary
0 Against / secondary
Published measures
Case Management: Responses Promptly issues a decision on the case after
Overall: 2.3 / 4 (N=19)Attorneys: 2.8 / 4 (N=19)Non-Attorneys: 2 / 4 (N=19)
Case Management: trial. Maintains appropriate control over proceedings.
Overall: 2.7 / 4 (N=24)Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=24)Non-Attorneys: 2.2 / 4 (N=24)
Case Management: Promptly rules on pre-trial motions.
Overall: 2.4 / 4 (N=21)Attorneys: 2.9 / 4 (N=21)Non-Attorneys: 2 / 4 (N=21)
Case Management: Sets reasonable schedules for cases.
Overall: 2.9 / 4 (N=23)Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=23)Non-Attorneys: 2.5 / 4 (N=23)
Case Management: Provides an alternative to in-person hearings
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=22)Attorneys: 3.6 / 4 (N=22)Non-Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=22)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Responses Is able to identify and analyze relevant facts.
Overall: 2.5 / 4 (N=22)Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=22)Non-Attorneys: 2 / 4 (N=22)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Bases decisions on evidence and arguments.
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=10)Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=10)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Issues consistent decisions when the
Overall: 3 / 4 (N=9)Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=9)
Application and Knowledge of Law: circumstances are similar. Rulings cite the applicable substantive law.
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=10)Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=10)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Consistently applies laws and rules.
Overall: 3.1 / 4 (N=10)Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=10)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Gives reasons for rulings.
Overall: 3.6 / 4 (N=11)Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=11)Non-Attorneys: 4 / 4 (N=11)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Willing to make decisions without regard to
Overall: 2.1 / 4 (N=11)Non-Attorneys: 2.1 / 4 (N=11)
Communications: Responses Makes sure all participants understand the
Overall: 2.9 / 4 (N=22)Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=22)Non-Attorneys: 2.5 / 4 (N=22)
Communications: proceedings. When issuing a ruling, the judge provides an
Overall: 3.1 / 4 (N=10)Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=10)
Communications: explanation for the decision. Provides written communications that are clear,
Overall: 3.1 / 4 (N=10)Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=10)
Communications: thorough, and well- reasoned. Listens carefully during court proceedings.
Overall: 3.5 / 4 (N=11)Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=11)
Communications: Uses language that everyone can understand.
Overall: 2.7 / 4 (N=11)Non-Attorneys: 2.7 / 4 (N=11)
Communications: Speaks clearly so everyone in the courtroom
Overall: 2.7 / 4 (N=11)Non-Attorneys: 2.7 / 4 (N=11)
Communications: can understand what's being said. Gives reasons for a ruling when needed.
Overall: 2.1 / 4 (N=11)Non-Attorneys: 2.1 / 4 (N=11)
Demeanor: Responses Gives proceedings a sense of dignity.
Overall: 2.9 / 4 (N=21)Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=21)Non-Attorneys: 2.3 / 4 (N=21)
Demeanor: Treats participants with respect.
Overall: 3 / 4 (N=21)Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=21)Non-Attorneys: 2.6 / 4 (N=21)
Demeanor: Reacts to an incident(s) in the courtroom
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=9)Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=9)
Demeanor: appropriately. Addresses individuals (e.g. attorneys, court staff, litigants, public witnesses) respectfully in
Overall: 3.5 / 4 (N=11)Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=11)
Demeanor: the courtroom. Maintains a professional demeanor in the
Overall: 3.6 / 4 (N=11)Attorneys: 3.6 / 4 (N=11)
Demeanor: courtroom. Has a sense of compassion and human
Overall: 2.2 / 4 (N=10)Non-Attorneys: 2.2 / 4 (N=10)
Diligence: Responses Uses good judgment in application of relevant
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=10)Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=10)
Diligence: law and rules. Is willing to handle cases on the docket even when they are complicated and time
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=10)Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=10)
Diligence: consuming. Does the necessary “homework” and is
Overall: 3.1 / 4 (N=10)Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=10)
Diligence: prepared for cases. Begins court on time.
Overall: 2.5 / 4 (N=10)Non-Attorneys: 2.5 / 4 (N=10)
Diligence: Maintains appropriate control over proceedings.
Overall: 2.2 / 4 (N=10)Non-Attorneys: 2.2 / 4 (N=10)
Diligence: Sets reasonable schedules for cases.
Overall: 2.1 / 4 (N=10)Non-Attorneys: 2.1 / 4 (N=10)
Diligence: Is prepared for cases
Overall: 1.8 / 4 (N=10)Non-Attorneys: 1.8 / 4 (N=10)
Diligence: Manages court proceedings so there is little
Overall: 1.7 / 4 (N=10)Non-Attorneys: 1.7 / 4 (N=10)
Fairness: Responses Gives participants an opportunity to be heard.
Overall: 2.1 / 4 (N=10)Non-Attorneys: 2.1 / 4 (N=10)
Fairness: Treats those involved in the case without bias.
Overall: 1.4 / 4 (N=9)Non-Attorneys: 1.4 / 4 (N=9)
Fairness: Treats people fairly who represent themselves.
Overall: 1.6 / 4 (N=5)Non-Attorneys: 1.6 / 4 (N=5)
Fairness: Gives each side enough time to present their
Overall: 2.4 / 4 (N=8)Non-Attorneys: 2.4 / 4 (N=8)Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=10)Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=10)
Fairness: case. Conducts their courtroom in a neutral manner.
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=10)Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=10)
Fairness: Is fair and impartial to both sides.
Overall: 3.1 / 4 (N=9)Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=9)
Published standards
Colorado statutory judicial performance standards
The Seventh Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance agrees by a vote of 9-0, with one Commission vacancy, that Judge Kellie L. Starritt MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS .
Participation
Attorney email invite
11 returned / 282 distributed
Attorney Survey Website
0 returned
Total Attorneys
11 returned
Non-attorney email Invite
10 returned / 329 distributed
Court Staff Email Invite (Self-select)
3 returned / 2,782 distributed
Citizen Feedback
0 returned
Juror Survey
0 returned
Total Non-Attorneys
13 returned
Commission narrative
The Seventh Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance agrees by a vote of 9-0, with one Commission vacancy, that Judge Kellie L. Starritt MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS .
The Commission observed Judge Starritt to have an excellent demeanor, and to be patient, professional, polite and respectful to parties and counsel, and to maintain control of her courtroom. The Judicial Performance Survey and the Commission’s interviews demonstrate that Judge Starritt is organized, prepared for court proceedings, and takes time to research issues with which she is unfamiliar. Judge Starritt told the Commission she wants to issue rulings more promptly in the general civil and criminal cases on her docket. To accomplish that, Judge Starritt regularly meets with a Colorado Judicial Department mentor for guidance on managing her caseload more effectively, and also for suggestions on being more proactive in addressing pretrial disputes and unprofessional behavior in her courtroom. Judge Starritt presides over civil, criminal, domestic relations, juvenile, mental health and probate cases in Gunnison County, and in domestic relations cases in Montrose County. The Commission observed Judge Starritt in court and interviewed the District Attorney for the 7th Judicial District, the Head of the 7th Judicial District Public Defender’s Office, and the Chief Judge of the 7th Judicial District. The Commission also personally interviewed Judge Starritt on April 14, 2026, and reviewed Judge Starritt’s Judicial Performance Survey, her Self-Evaluation, and three of her written orders.
The comments in the Judicial Performance Survey were overwhelmingly positive, with a total of 11 attorneys and 13 non-attorneys responding to the Survey. Ten of the attorneys responding to the Survey opined that Judge Starritt meets performance standards, and three of the non-attorney responders opined that Judge Starritt meets performance standards. The Commission notes that 24 total Survey responses are a small sample size and takes that into account in weighing the Survey responses relative to its own interviews and observations. The Commission ultimately unanimously concludes that Judge Starritt meets judicial performance standards in all six of the statutory criteria, which are: integrity, legal knowledge, communication skills, judicial temperament, administrative performance, and service to the legal profession and to the public.
Judge Starritt was appointed as a District Court Judge in July 2024. Prior to her appointment, she served for seven years as a District Court Magistrate handling domestic relations cases for the 7th Judicial District. Before then, Judge Starritt served as a Guardian Ad Litem in child welfare cases and as a county attorney and was in private practice for over 15 years. Judge Starritt presently serves on the Access to Justice Committee for the 7th Judicial District, serves as a committee co-chairperson on the statewide Children’s Justice Act Task Force, and leads the Domestic Relations Best Practices Group for the 7th Judicial District. Judge Starritt received her undergraduate degree from Marquette University and her law degree from the University of Wyoming.
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 ↗