Michael Halpin

Meets Performance Standards

Colorado Office of Judicial Performance Evaluation / applicable Commission on Judicial Performance · 2026 · Colorado County Court, Custer County · County Court Judge

Published standards

Commission narrative

The Eleventh Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously agrees by vote of 7-0, with two members absent and one vacancy on the Commission, that Judge Michael Patrick Halpin MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS .

As the County Judge for Custer County, Judge Halpin presides over civil, criminal, misdemeanor, traffic, small claims and infraction cases in his courtroom. He is a non-attorney Judge who spent 14 years working courtroom security before becoming a county judge nearly four years ago. Judge Halpin’s 20 percent part-time position allows him time to study and prepare for his typical one day per week docket. Judge Halpin acknowledges that the brief dockets allow him to take motions under advisement giving him time to research legal matters and consult with other county judges before making a ruling. Judge Halpin emphasizes that he wants to make sure that people appearing before him have a full understanding of the proceedings before they leave his courtroom. Judge Halpin has attended training for non-attorney judges which has proven invaluable and created a network of peers. Regarding civil matters that come before him, Judge Halpin notes that his primary goal is getting parties together in court and helping them to resolve their issues. Even when he is not in court, Judge Halpin views live streams of other Colorado county judges, research statutes that apply to his docket, and takes advantage of continuing legal education courses. Judge Halpin works to treat everyone equally in his courtroom and gives no more weight to any party regardless of their status, race, influence in the community, or level of education.

Although invitations were sent out to both attorneys and non-attorneys appearing in Judge Halpin’s court, the survey responses were inadequate to be statistically meaningful. The Commission interviewed Judge Halpin and came away feeling assured that the citizens of Custer County are being well-served with Judge Halpin on the county court bench. The result was a unanimous vote by the Commission that Judge Halpin meets performance standards.

Judge Halpin became a P.O.S.T. certified Peace Officer for the State of Colorado after attending the Colorado State Patrol Training Academy in 1989. He was promoted to the rank of Technician and became a certified Technical Accident Investigator and Reconstructionist. He specialized in investigating and reconstructing serious injury and fatal crashes. Judge Halpin retired from the State Patrol and went to work for the Custer County Sheriff as a supervisor and oversaw court security. He worked exclusively in the Courts for more than 14 years before retiring after 34 years in law enforcement. Judge Halpin was sworn in as the County Judge for Custer County on December 1, 2022.

View official evaluation ↗