Nancy W. Salomone at a glance
- Current role
- Chief Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Colorado · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Nancy W. Salomone
Chief Judge · 20th Judicial District District Court
Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.
Available research
Biography and careerSource-attributed professional, judicial, and education record
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 · 20th 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: 3.2 / 4 (N=20)Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=20)Non-Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=20)
Case Management: trial. Maintains appropriate control over proceedings.
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=25)Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=25)Non-Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=25)
Case Management: Promptly rules on pre-trial motions.
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=21)Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=21)Non-Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=21)
Case Management: Sets reasonable schedules for cases.
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=23)Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=23)Non-Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=23)
Case Management: Provides an alternative to in-person hearings
Overall: 3.6 / 4 (N=20)Attorneys: 3.7 / 4 (N=20)Non-Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=20)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Responses Is able to identify and analyze relevant facts.
Overall: 3 / 4 (N=25)Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=25)Non-Attorneys: 2.9 / 4 (N=25)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Bases decisions on evidence and arguments.
Overall: 3 / 4 (N=13)Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=13)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Issues consistent decisions when the
Overall: 2.9 / 4 (N=11)Attorneys: 2.9 / 4 (N=11)
Application and Knowledge of Law: circumstances are similar. Rulings cite the applicable substantive law.
Overall: 3 / 4 (N=12)Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=12)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Consistently applies laws and rules.
Overall: 3 / 4 (N=12)Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=12)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Gives reasons for rulings.
Overall: 3.6 / 4 (N=20)Attorneys: 3.6 / 4 (N=20)Non-Attorneys: 3.6 / 4 (N=20)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Willing to make decisions without regard to
Overall: 3 / 4 (N=13)Non-Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=13)
Communications: Responses Makes sure all participants understand the
Overall: 3.5 / 4 (N=24)Attorneys: 3.8 / 4 (N=24)Non-Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=24)
Communications: proceedings. When issuing a ruling, the judge provides an
Overall: 3.5 / 4 (N=13)Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=13)
Communications: explanation for the decision. Provides written communications that are clear,
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=12)Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=12)
Communications: thorough, and well- reasoned. Listens carefully during court proceedings.
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=12)Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=12)
Communications: Uses language that everyone can understand.
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=13)Non-Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=13)
Communications: Speaks clearly so everyone in the courtroom
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=13)Non-Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=13)
Communications: can understand what's being said. Gives reasons for a ruling when needed.
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=13)Non-Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=13)
Demeanor: Responses Gives proceedings a sense of dignity.
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=25)Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=25)Non-Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=25)
Demeanor: Treats participants with respect.
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=25)Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=25)Non-Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=25)
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: 3.3 / 4 (N=12)Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=12)
Demeanor: the courtroom. Maintains a professional demeanor in the
Overall: 3.5 / 4 (N=12)Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=12)
Demeanor: courtroom. Has a sense of compassion and human
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=13)Non-Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=13)
Diligence: Responses Uses good judgment in application of relevant
Overall: 3.1 / 4 (N=13)Attorneys: 3.1 / 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=10)Attorneys: 3.7 / 4 (N=10)
Diligence: consuming. Does the necessary “homework” and is
Overall: 3.5 / 4 (N=13)Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=13)
Diligence: prepared for cases. Begins court on time.
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=13)Non-Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=13)
Diligence: Maintains appropriate control over proceedings.
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=13)Non-Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=13)
Diligence: Sets reasonable schedules for cases.
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=12)Non-Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=12)
Diligence: Is prepared for cases
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=13)Non-Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=13)
Diligence: Manages court proceedings so there is little
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=13)Non-Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=13)
Fairness: Responses Gives participants an opportunity to be heard.
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=11)Non-Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=11)
Fairness: Treats those involved in the case without bias.
Overall: 3.1 / 4 (N=12)Non-Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=12)
Fairness: Treats people fairly who represent themselves.
Overall: 3.8 / 4 (N=8)Non-Attorneys: 3.8 / 4 (N=8)
Fairness: Gives each side enough time to present their
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=10)Non-Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=10)Overall: 3.7 / 4 (N=12)Attorneys: 3.7 / 4 (N=12)
Fairness: case. Conducts their courtroom in a neutral manner.
Overall: 2.9 / 4 (N=12)Attorneys: 2.9 / 4 (N=12)
Fairness: Is fair and impartial to both sides.
Overall: 3 / 4 (N=13)Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=13)
Published standards
Colorado statutory judicial performance standards
The Twentieth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance, by a vote of 10-0, finds that Chief Judge Nancy Woodruff Salomone MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS .
Participation
Attorney email invite
13 returned / 386 distributed
Attorney Survey Website
0 returned
Total Attorneys
13 returned
Non-attorney email Invite
5 returned / 356 distributed
Court Staff Email Invite (Self-select)
7 returned / 2,782 distributed
Citizen Feedback
0 returned
Juror Survey
1 returned
Total Non-Attorneys
13 returned
Commission narrative
The Twentieth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance, by a vote of 10-0, finds that Chief Judge Nancy Woodruff Salomone MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS .
Judge Salomone has presided over criminal, civil, domestic relations, and probate dockets in the 20th Judicial District during her nearly nine years on the bench. As Chief Judge, she has responsibility for not only her own cases but also the administration of the county and district courts within the District. The Commission finds Judge Salomone to be sharp, organized, empathetic, and highly skilled at legal analysis. Judge Salomone has advanced innovations in court processes, including in her work presiding over the post-judgment Adult Integrated Treatment Court focused on substance abuse issues, as well as in her work presiding over the recently formed pre-judgement Competency Docket. She is valued for her firm and fair management of the courtroom, her balanced concern for both victims and the accused, and her diligent administration of the 20th Judicial District.
The Judicial Performance Commission evaluates judges on six standards: legal knowledge, communication, administrative performance, integrity, judicial temperament, and service to the legal profession. To evaluate Judge Salomone’s performance the Commission observed her in court, reviewed opinions she authored, considered her self-evaluation, held a public meeting to invite comments, and reviewed responses to a survey distributed to all persons who have appeared in her court. The Commission also conducted personal interviews with Judge Salomone, the District Attorney, and a representative of the Boulder defense bar.
Judge Salomone was appointed as a District Judge in October 2017. Prior to her appointment, she practiced as a partner in a Boulder law firm, as a solo practitioner, and as a deputy state public defender in Denver. As Chief Judge, she represents the District while engaging with court-involved organizations and the legal community. Some examples include recurring meetings with court sub-agencies, local law enforcement, Boulder County leaders, and directors of the court’s partner agencies. She convenes local leadership councils and participates in the statewide Chief Judge Council. She is a member of statewide committees including the Multidistrict Litigation Panel, the Criminal Benchbook Committee, and the Judicial Equity Project. She speaks at local schools, and she previously provided coaching assistance to a local high school mock trial team. Judge Salomone earned her undergraduate degree from the University of California at Los Angeles in 1994 and her law degree from the University of Michigan Law School in 1998.
Evaluation history
2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · Historical cycles are shown separately until instrument compatibility is established.
Biography
Judicial service
- Judge Salomone was appointed to the District Court bench in October 2017.
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 ↗