Meredith Patrick Cord at a glance
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- Judge
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- Colorado · State
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- Active
Meredith Patrick Cord
Judge · Colorado County Court, El Paso 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, El Paso County · County Court Judge
10 For / primary
0 Against / secondary
Published measures
Case Management: Responses Promptly issues a decision on the case after
Overall: 3.5 / 4 (N=15)Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=15)Non-Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=15)
Case Management: trial. Maintains appropriate control over proceedings.
Overall: 3.7 / 4 (N=19)Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=19)Non-Attorneys: 3.8 / 4 (N=19)
Case Management: Promptly rules on pre-trial motions.
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=12)Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=12)Non-Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=12)
Case Management: Sets reasonable schedules for cases.
Overall: 3.6 / 4 (N=15)Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=15)Non-Attorneys: 3.7 / 4 (N=15)
Case Management: Provides an alternative to in-person hearings
Overall: 3 / 4 (N=9)Attorneys: 2.5 / 4 (N=9)Non-Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=9)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Responses Is able to identify and analyze relevant facts.
Overall: 3.7 / 4 (N=19)Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=19)Non-Attorneys: 3.8 / 4 (N=19)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Bases decisions on evidence and arguments.
Overall: 2.5 / 4 (N=2)Attorneys: 2.5 / 4 (N=2)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Issues consistent decisions when the
Overall: 3 / 4 (N=2)Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=2)
Application and Knowledge of Law: circumstances are similar. Rulings cite the applicable substantive law.
Overall: 3 / 4 (N=2)Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=2)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Consistently applies laws and rules.
Overall: 3 / 4 (N=2)Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=2)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Gives reasons for rulings.
Overall: 3.6 / 4 (N=16)Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=16)Non-Attorneys: 3.7 / 4 (N=16)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Willing to make decisions without regard to
Overall: 3.7 / 4 (N=17)Non-Attorneys: 3.7 / 4 (N=17)
Communications: Responses Makes sure all participants understand the
Overall: 3.7 / 4 (N=19)Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=19)Non-Attorneys: 3.8 / 4 (N=19)
Communications: proceedings. When issuing a ruling, the judge provides an
Overall: 3 / 4 (N=2)Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=2)
Communications: explanation for the decision. Provides written communications that are clear,
Overall: 3 / 4 (N=2)Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=2)
Communications: thorough, and well- reasoned. Listens carefully during court proceedings.
Overall: 3 / 4 (N=2)Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=2)
Communications: Uses language that everyone can understand.
Overall: 3.9 / 4 (N=17)Non-Attorneys: 3.9 / 4 (N=17)
Communications: Speaks clearly so everyone in the courtroom
Overall: 3.9 / 4 (N=17)Non-Attorneys: 3.9 / 4 (N=17)
Communications: can understand what's being said. Gives reasons for a ruling when needed.
Overall: 3.9 / 4 (N=17)Non-Attorneys: 3.9 / 4 (N=17)
Demeanor: Responses Gives proceedings a sense of dignity.
Overall: 3.7 / 4 (N=19)Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=19)Non-Attorneys: 3.8 / 4 (N=19)
Demeanor: Treats participants with respect.
Overall: 3.8 / 4 (N=19)Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=19)Non-Attorneys: 3.9 / 4 (N=19)
Demeanor: Reacts to an incident(s) in the courtroom
Overall: 2 / 4 (N=2)Attorneys: 2 / 4 (N=2)
Demeanor: appropriately. Addresses individuals (e.g. attorneys, court staff, litigants, public witnesses) respectfully in
Overall: 3 / 4 (N=2)Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=2)
Demeanor: the courtroom. Maintains a professional demeanor in the
Overall: 3 / 4 (N=2)Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=2)
Demeanor: courtroom. Has a sense of compassion and human
Overall: 3.8 / 4 (N=17)Non-Attorneys: 3.8 / 4 (N=17)
Diligence: Responses Uses good judgment in application of relevant
Overall: 3.5 / 4 (N=2)Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=2)
Diligence: law and rules. Is willing to handle cases on the docket even when they are complicated and time
Overall: 2.5 / 4 (N=2)Attorneys: 2.5 / 4 (N=2)
Diligence: consuming. Does the necessary “homework” and is
Overall: 2 / 4 (N=2)Attorneys: 2 / 4 (N=2)
Diligence: prepared for cases. Begins court on time.
Overall: 3.8 / 4 (N=17)Non-Attorneys: 3.8 / 4 (N=17)
Diligence: Maintains appropriate control over proceedings.
Overall: 3.9 / 4 (N=17)Non-Attorneys: 3.9 / 4 (N=17)
Diligence: Sets reasonable schedules for cases.
Overall: 3.9 / 4 (N=15)Non-Attorneys: 3.9 / 4 (N=15)
Diligence: Is prepared for cases
Overall: 3.8 / 4 (N=17)Non-Attorneys: 3.8 / 4 (N=17)
Diligence: Manages court proceedings so there is little
Overall: 3.8 / 4 (N=17)Non-Attorneys: 3.8 / 4 (N=17)
Fairness: Responses Gives participants an opportunity to be heard.
Overall: 3.9 / 4 (N=17)Non-Attorneys: 3.9 / 4 (N=17)
Fairness: Treats those involved in the case without bias.
Overall: 3.8 / 4 (N=17)Non-Attorneys: 3.8 / 4 (N=17)
Fairness: Treats people fairly who represent themselves.
Overall: 4 / 4 (N=8)Non-Attorneys: 4 / 4 (N=8)
Fairness: Gives each side enough time to present their
Overall: 3.9 / 4 (N=17)Non-Attorneys: 3.9 / 4 (N=17)Overall: 2 / 4 (N=2)Attorneys: 2 / 4 (N=2)
Fairness: case. Conducts their courtroom in a neutral manner.
Overall: 3 / 4 (N=2)Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=2)
Fairness: Is fair and impartial to both sides.
Overall: 3 / 4 (N=2)Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=2)
Published standards
Colorado statutory judicial performance standards
The Fourth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously (10-0) agrees that El Paso County Court Judge Meredith Patrick Cord MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS .
Participation
Attorney email invite
2 returned / 232 distributed
Attorney Survey Website
0 returned
Total Attorneys
2 returned
Non-attorney email Invite
4 returned / 444 distributed
Court Staff Email Invite (Self-select)
1 returned / 2,782 distributed
Citizen Feedback
0 returned
Juror Survey
12 returned
Total Non-Attorneys
17 returned
Commission narrative
The Fourth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously (10-0) agrees that El Paso County Court Judge Meredith Patrick Cord MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS .
Judge Patrick Cord’s docket is 90% criminal and 10% civil cases. Her criminal cases are misdemeanors, approximately 65% of which are traffic and DUI cases. She is consistently described as knowledgeable, well-prepared, patient, and fair, and her written opinions reflect a careful command of the law. She maintains written case management orders, meets regularly with the attorneys assigned to her courtroom to build consistency amid high attorney turnover, and prepares her dockets a week in advance so that every matter receives appropriate attention. In her Commission interview, Judge Patrick Cord described keeping a note on her bench that reads, “This may be the most important day in this person’s life,” a philosophy Commissioners witnessed her honor firsthand, including in her patient and inclusive approach to the approximately 10 percent of her litigants who require Spanish-language interpretation. Judge Patrick Cord’s overall combined performance score on the 2026 Judicial Performance Survey was 3.7 out of 4.0, which is above average for County Court judges in the Fourth Judicial District. Her highest-rated category was communication at 3.8; diligence, demeanor, and fairness each scored 3.7; and case management and knowledge and application of law each scored 3.6. Although the Survey results are statistically invalid due to low response rate, 18 of 19 responders believe that Judge Patrick Cord meets or exceeds judicial performance standards. Judge Patrick Cord works hard to enhance public confidence in the judiciary. The Commission believes Judge Patrick Cord is a true asset to the Fourth Judicial District.
The Commission interviewed Judge Patrick Cord, observed her in court, reviewed her self-evaluation, written opinions, judicial performance data, comments from attorneys and non-attorneys, and the judicial performance survey results from 2026, which included 19 completed survey responses (2 attorneys and 17 non-attorneys). The Commission also spoke with the Chief Judge and representatives of the District Attorney’s Office and the Public Defender’s Office, all of whom reported positively on her performance.
Judge Patrick Cord was appointed to the County Court bench in January 2019. Before her appointment, she served as a District Court Magistrate in Colorado Springs for more than four years, handling domestic relations and child support matters. Prior to joining the bench, she was a shareholder at Johnson & Cord, P.C. practicing family law; she also served as an associate attorney at Kane, Donley and Johnson and the Marrison Law Firm, and as a prosecutor with the Fourth Judicial District Attorney’s Office. Judge Patrick Cord received her undergraduate degree from Ohio State University and her law degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Law in 2001. She serves on the Board of Directors of Court Care for the Pikes Peak Region and was recently appointed to the Colorado Commission on Judicial Discipline.
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 ↗