Michelle Chostner at a glance
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- Judge
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- Colorado · State
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Michelle Chostner
Judge · 10th 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 · 10th Judicial District District Court · District Court Judge
10 For / primary
0 Against / secondary
Published measures
Case Management: Responses Promptly issues a decision on the case after
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=30)Attorneys: 3.6 / 4 (N=30)Non-Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=30)
Case Management: trial. Maintains appropriate control over proceedings.
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=30)Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=30)Non-Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=30)
Case Management: Promptly rules on pre-trial motions.
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=29)Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=29)Non-Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=29)
Case Management: Sets reasonable schedules for cases.
Overall: 3.5 / 4 (N=31)Attorneys: 3.6 / 4 (N=31)Non-Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=31)
Case Management: Provides an alternative to in-person hearings
Overall: 3.6 / 4 (N=26)Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=26)Non-Attorneys: 3.7 / 4 (N=26)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Responses Is able to identify and analyze relevant facts.
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=31)Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=31)Non-Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=31)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Bases decisions on evidence and arguments.
Overall: 3.5 / 4 (N=13)Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=13)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Issues consistent decisions when the
Overall: 3.7 / 4 (N=11)Attorneys: 3.7 / 4 (N=11)
Application and Knowledge of Law: circumstances are similar. Rulings cite the applicable substantive law.
Overall: 3.8 / 4 (N=13)Attorneys: 3.8 / 4 (N=13)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Consistently applies laws and rules.
Overall: 3.8 / 4 (N=13)Attorneys: 3.8 / 4 (N=13)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Gives reasons for rulings.
Overall: 3.6 / 4 (N=13)Attorneys: 3.6 / 4 (N=13)Non-Attorneys: 3.8 / 4 (N=13)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Willing to make decisions without regard to
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=16)Non-Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=16)
Communications: Responses Makes sure all participants understand the
Overall: 3.6 / 4 (N=30)Attorneys: 3.8 / 4 (N=30)Non-Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=30)
Communications: proceedings. When issuing a ruling, the judge provides an
Overall: 3.7 / 4 (N=13)Attorneys: 3.7 / 4 (N=13)
Communications: explanation for the decision. Provides written communications that are clear,
Overall: 3.8 / 4 (N=13)Attorneys: 3.8 / 4 (N=13)
Communications: thorough, and well- reasoned. Listens carefully during court proceedings.
Overall: 3.8 / 4 (N=12)Attorneys: 3.8 / 4 (N=12)
Communications: Uses language that everyone can understand.
Overall: 3.5 / 4 (N=18)Non-Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=18)
Communications: Speaks clearly so everyone in the courtroom
Overall: 3.6 / 4 (N=18)Non-Attorneys: 3.6 / 4 (N=18)
Communications: can understand what's being said. Gives reasons for a ruling when needed.
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=17)Non-Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=17)
Demeanor: Responses Gives proceedings a sense of dignity.
Overall: 3.5 / 4 (N=31)Attorneys: 3.8 / 4 (N=31)Non-Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=31)
Demeanor: Treats participants with respect.
Overall: 3.6 / 4 (N=31)Attorneys: 3.8 / 4 (N=31)Non-Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=31)
Demeanor: Reacts to an incident(s) in the courtroom
Overall: 3.5 / 4 (N=10)Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=10)
Demeanor: appropriately. Addresses individuals (e.g. attorneys, court staff, litigants, public witnesses) respectfully in
Overall: 3.8 / 4 (N=13)Attorneys: 3.8 / 4 (N=13)
Demeanor: the courtroom. Maintains a professional demeanor in the
Overall: 3.8 / 4 (N=13)Attorneys: 3.8 / 4 (N=13)
Demeanor: courtroom. Has a sense of compassion and human
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=18)Non-Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=18)
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: 3.8 / 4 (N=12)Attorneys: 3.8 / 4 (N=12)
Diligence: consuming. Does the necessary “homework” and is
Overall: 3.6 / 4 (N=13)Attorneys: 3.6 / 4 (N=13)
Diligence: prepared for cases. Begins court on time.
Overall: 3.6 / 4 (N=18)Non-Attorneys: 3.6 / 4 (N=18)
Diligence: Maintains appropriate control over proceedings.
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=18)Non-Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=18)
Diligence: Sets reasonable schedules for cases.
Overall: 3.5 / 4 (N=17)Non-Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=17)
Diligence: Is prepared for cases
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=18)Non-Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=18)
Diligence: Manages court proceedings so there is little
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=17)Non-Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=17)
Fairness: Responses Gives participants an opportunity to be heard.
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=18)Non-Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=18)
Fairness: Treats those involved in the case without bias.
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=18)Non-Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=18)
Fairness: Treats people fairly who represent themselves.
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=14)Non-Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=14)
Fairness: Gives each side enough time to present their
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=17)Non-Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=17)Overall: 3.8 / 4 (N=13)Attorneys: 3.8 / 4 (N=13)
Fairness: case. Conducts their courtroom in a neutral manner.
Overall: 3.6 / 4 (N=13)Attorneys: 3.6 / 4 (N=13)
Fairness: Is fair and impartial to both sides.
Overall: 3.6 / 4 (N=13)Attorneys: 3.6 / 4 (N=13)
Published standards
Colorado statutory judicial performance standards
The Tenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously agrees by a vote of 10-0 that Judge Michelle Chostner MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS .
Participation
Attorney email invite
13 returned / 323 distributed
Attorney Survey Website
0 returned
Total Attorneys
13 returned
Non-attorney email Invite
15 returned / 424 distributed
Court Staff Email Invite (Self-select)
3 returned / 2,782 distributed
Citizen Feedback
0 returned
Juror Survey
0 returned
Total Non-Attorneys
18 returned
Commission narrative
The Tenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously agrees by a vote of 10-0 that Judge Michelle Chostner MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS .
Judge Chostner presides over a domestic relations docket and district court civil docket for the Tenth Judicial District. She is well prepared for cases before her bench. The orders she issues are well researched and thorough, though they are sometimes very long and would benefit from being more concise to encourage understanding. Her demeanor as a judge is calm and respectful; she strives to treat all court participants equally, bringing a sense of dignity to proceedings before her.
To evaluate Judge Chostner's performance, the Commission reviewed judicial performance data, written orders, surveys including comments from attorneys and non-attorneys, and a self-evaluation completed by Judge Chostner. The Commission also conducted in-court observations of the judge and personally interviewed her after compiling all other information. Judge Chostner appreciates the need for continued education and growth in her role as a judicial officer. She regularly conducts legal research, stays up-to-date on new laws, and she attends trainings in the areas of law she presides over. She also teaches courses in the law, and she serves on the judicial education subcommittee. Judge Chostner clearly cares about communicating the legal process to those not represented by attorneys, though some members of the commission are concerned that she may over-explain the process to ensure understanding and fairness which delays the proceedings unnecessarily.
Judge Michelle Chostner was appointed to the Pueblo County District Court bench in March of 2023. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado, Boulder, in 2004, graduating summa cum laude, and her law degree from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law in 2008. After graduating law school, Judge Chostner worked at the Adams, Arapahoe, and Pueblo District Attorney’s Offices, where she was promoted to the role Senior Deputy District Attorney. In 2021, Judge Chostner was appointed as a Magistrate in Pueblo, where she handled truancy, civil, and probate matters. Judge Chostner enjoys spending time with her family and volunteering on various community boards, including the library board, and assisting with mock trial events.
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 ↗