Lawrence Bowling at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Colorado · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Lawrence Bowling
Judge · Colorado County Court, Douglas 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, Douglas County · County Court Judge
7 For / primary
0 Against / secondary
Published measures
Case Management: Responses Promptly issues a decision on the case after
Overall: 3.5 / 4 (N=42)Attorneys: 3.9 / 4 (N=42)Non-Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=42)
Case Management: trial. Maintains appropriate control over proceedings.
Overall: 3.6 / 4 (N=60)Attorneys: 4 / 4 (N=60)Non-Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=60)
Case Management: Promptly rules on pre-trial motions.
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=49)Attorneys: 3.9 / 4 (N=49)Non-Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=49)
Case Management: Sets reasonable schedules for cases.
Overall: 3.5 / 4 (N=55)Attorneys: 4 / 4 (N=55)Non-Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=55)
Case Management: Provides an alternative to in-person hearings
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=39)Attorneys: 4 / 4 (N=39)Non-Attorneys: 2.9 / 4 (N=39)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Responses Is able to identify and analyze relevant facts.
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=58)Attorneys: 3.8 / 4 (N=58)Non-Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=58)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Bases decisions on evidence and arguments.
Overall: 3.8 / 4 (N=14)Attorneys: 3.8 / 4 (N=14)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Issues consistent decisions when the
Overall: 3.9 / 4 (N=14)Attorneys: 3.9 / 4 (N=14)
Application and Knowledge of Law: circumstances are similar. Rulings cite the applicable substantive law.
Overall: 3.7 / 4 (N=13)Attorneys: 3.7 / 4 (N=13)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Consistently applies laws and rules.
Overall: 3.9 / 4 (N=14)Attorneys: 3.9 / 4 (N=14)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Gives reasons for rulings.
Overall: 3.9 / 4 (N=38)Attorneys: 3.9 / 4 (N=38)Non-Attorneys: 3.8 / 4 (N=38)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Willing to make decisions without regard to
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=42)Non-Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=42)
Communications: Responses Makes sure all participants understand the
Overall: 3.6 / 4 (N=59)Attorneys: 3.9 / 4 (N=59)Non-Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=59)
Communications: proceedings. When issuing a ruling, the judge provides an
Overall: 3.8 / 4 (N=13)Attorneys: 3.8 / 4 (N=13)
Communications: explanation for the decision. Provides written communications that are clear,
Overall: 3.6 / 4 (N=11)Attorneys: 3.6 / 4 (N=11)
Communications: thorough, and well- reasoned. Listens carefully during court proceedings.
Overall: 3.8 / 4 (N=14)Attorneys: 3.8 / 4 (N=14)
Communications: Uses language that everyone can understand.
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=45)Non-Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=45)
Communications: Speaks clearly so everyone in the courtroom
Overall: 3.5 / 4 (N=45)Non-Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=45)
Communications: can understand what's being said. Gives reasons for a ruling when needed.
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=44)Non-Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=44)
Demeanor: Responses Gives proceedings a sense of dignity.
Overall: 3.6 / 4 (N=58)Attorneys: 4 / 4 (N=58)Non-Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=58)
Demeanor: Treats participants with respect.
Overall: 3.7 / 4 (N=58)Attorneys: 4 / 4 (N=58)Non-Attorneys: 3.6 / 4 (N=58)
Demeanor: Reacts to an incident(s) in the courtroom
Overall: 4 / 4 (N=13)Attorneys: 4 / 4 (N=13)
Demeanor: appropriately. Addresses individuals (e.g. attorneys, court staff, litigants, public witnesses) respectfully in
Overall: 4 / 4 (N=14)Attorneys: 4 / 4 (N=14)
Demeanor: the courtroom. Maintains a professional demeanor in the
Overall: 4 / 4 (N=14)Attorneys: 4 / 4 (N=14)
Demeanor: courtroom. Has a sense of compassion and human
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=42)Non-Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=42)
Diligence: Responses Uses good judgment in application of relevant
Overall: 3.7 / 4 (N=13)Attorneys: 3.7 / 4 (N=13)
Diligence: law and rules. Is willing to handle cases on the docket even when they are complicated and time
Overall: 3.7 / 4 (N=12)Attorneys: 3.7 / 4 (N=12)
Diligence: consuming. Does the necessary “homework” and is
Overall: 3.9 / 4 (N=13)Attorneys: 3.9 / 4 (N=13)
Diligence: prepared for cases. Begins court on time.
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=43)Non-Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=43)
Diligence: Maintains appropriate control over proceedings.
Overall: 3.5 / 4 (N=44)Non-Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=44)
Diligence: Sets reasonable schedules for cases.
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=41)Non-Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=41)
Diligence: Is prepared for cases
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=43)Non-Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=43)
Diligence: Manages court proceedings so there is little
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=44)Non-Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=44)
Fairness: Responses Gives participants an opportunity to be heard.
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=44)Non-Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=44)
Fairness: Treats those involved in the case without bias.
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=44)Non-Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=44)
Fairness: Treats people fairly who represent themselves.
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=29)Non-Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=29)
Fairness: Gives each side enough time to present their
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=43)Non-Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=43)Overall: 3.8 / 4 (N=13)Attorneys: 3.8 / 4 (N=13)
Fairness: case. Conducts their courtroom in a neutral manner.
Overall: 3.8 / 4 (N=13)Attorneys: 3.8 / 4 (N=13)
Fairness: Is fair and impartial to both sides.
Overall: 3.8 / 4 (N=13)Attorneys: 3.8 / 4 (N=13)
Published standards
Colorado statutory judicial performance standards
The Twenty-Third Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance finds by a vote of 7-0, with one commissioner absent and two commission vacancies, that Judge Lawrence Bowling MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS . The Colorado statutory judicial performance standards are integrity, legal knowledge, communication skills, judicial temperament, administrative performance, and service to the legal profession and the public.
Participation
Attorney email invite
14 returned / 275 distributed
Attorney Survey Website
0 returned
Total Attorneys
14 returned
Non-attorney email Invite
22 returned / 670 distributed
Court Staff Email Invite (Self-select)
4 returned / 2,782 distributed
Citizen Feedback
0 returned
Juror Survey
20 returned
Total Non-Attorneys
46 returned
Commission narrative
The Twenty-Third Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance finds by a vote of 7-0, with one commissioner absent and two commission vacancies, that Judge Lawrence Bowling MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS . The Colorado statutory judicial performance standards are integrity, legal knowledge, communication skills, judicial temperament, administrative performance, and service to the legal profession and the public.
Judge Bowling presides over a diverse docket in Douglas County, including civil, criminal, misdemeanor, and traffic cases. The Judge strikes a balance between docket efficiency with a busy caseload and respect for each individual’s situation. Overall, Judge Bowling scored higher than average for all County Judges and demonstrated strong ratings in all performance areas (fairness, demeanor, diligence, communications, case management, and application and knowledge of law). Judge Bowling reliably displays a calm temperament and respectful demeanor. Having a sense of compassion and human understanding for those who appear before him and treating those involved in the case with respect were among Judge Bowling’s highest ranked categories. Survey participants consistently remarked on Judge Bowling’s strengths, especially noting his knowledge of law and impartiality. Across the board, the feedback on Judge Bowling’s performance is exceptional.
The Commission met with the District Attorney’s Office, Public Defender’s Office, Probation Department, and the Chief Judge for feedback on Judge Bowling’s performance. The Commission personally interviewed Judge Bowling and reviewed his written self-evaluation. Members also observed Judge Bowling in court and reviewed 2026 Judicial Performance Survey responses from attorneys and non-attorneys. The 2026 Judicial Performance Survey included question, “Based on your responses to the previous questions related to the performance evaluation criteria, do you think Judge Bowling meets judicial performance standards?” Of the attorneys responding to the survey, 92% answered yes, meets performance standards and 8% answered no, does not meet performance standards. Of the non-attorneys responding to the survey, 86% answered yes, meets performance standards, 11% answered no, does not meet performance standards and 2% answered, no opinion. Sixty individuals responded to the 2026 Judicial Performance Survey expressing their opinions of Judge Bowling’s performance. Based on these findings, the Commission unanimously agrees that Judge Bowling meets judicial performance standards.
Judge Bowling was appointed to the Douglas County Court in January 2011. He received his law degree from the University of Denver in 1993 and his undergraduate degree from Colorado Technical College in 1981. He worked as a field engineer in the oil and gas industry prior to attending law school and his legal experience prior to being appointed included six years in general private practice, two years as a deputy district attorney, four years as an assistant county attorney and four years as both a district court and county court magistrate in Arapahoe County and Douglas County. Judge Bowling volunteers as a presiding judge for the Colorado Bar Association High School mock trial competition each year and is an active member of several committees dedicated to improving the delivery of mental health services to the mentally ill.
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 ↗