Nicholas Catanzarite at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Colorado · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Nicholas Catanzarite
Judge · Colorado County Court, Grand 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, Grand County · County Court Judge
Published measures
Case Management: Responses Promptly issues a decision on the case after
Overall: 3.1 / 4 (N=12)Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=12)Non-Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=12)
Case Management: trial. Maintains appropriate control over proceedings.
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=12)Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=12)Non-Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=12)
Case Management: Promptly rules on pre-trial motions.
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=12)Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=12)Non-Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=12)
Case Management: Sets reasonable schedules for cases.
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=13)Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=13)Non-Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=13)
Case Management: Provides an alternative to in-person hearings
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=13)Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=13)Non-Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=13)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Responses Is able to identify and analyze relevant facts.
Overall: 2.8 / 4 (N=13)Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=13)Non-Attorneys: 2.7 / 4 (N=13)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Bases decisions on evidence and arguments.
Overall: 3 / 4 (N=2)Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=2)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Issues consistent decisions when the
Overall: 1.5 / 4 (N=2)Attorneys: 1.5 / 4 (N=2)
Application and Knowledge of Law: circumstances are similar. Rulings cite the applicable substantive law.
Overall: 2.5 / 4 (N=2)Attorneys: 2.5 / 4 (N=2)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Consistently applies laws and rules.
Overall: 2.5 / 4 (N=2)Attorneys: 2.5 / 4 (N=2)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Gives reasons for rulings.
Overall: 2.4 / 4 (N=7)Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=7)Non-Attorneys: 2.2 / 4 (N=7)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Willing to make decisions without regard to
Overall: 2.7 / 4 (N=11)Non-Attorneys: 2.7 / 4 (N=11)
Communications: Responses Makes sure all participants understand the
Overall: 3 / 4 (N=12)Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=12)Non-Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=12)
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: 2.9 / 4 (N=11)Non-Attorneys: 2.9 / 4 (N=11)
Communications: Speaks clearly so everyone in the courtroom
Overall: 2.9 / 4 (N=11)Non-Attorneys: 2.9 / 4 (N=11)
Communications: can understand what's being said. Gives reasons for a ruling when needed.
Overall: 3 / 4 (N=10)Non-Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=10)
Demeanor: Responses Gives proceedings a sense of dignity.
Overall: 2.8 / 4 (N=12)Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=12)Non-Attorneys: 2.8 / 4 (N=12)
Demeanor: Treats participants with respect.
Overall: 2.8 / 4 (N=12)Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=12)Non-Attorneys: 2.7 / 4 (N=12)
Demeanor: Reacts to an incident(s) in the courtroom
Overall: 3 / 4 (N=2)Attorneys: 3 / 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: 2.7 / 4 (N=10)Non-Attorneys: 2.7 / 4 (N=10)
Diligence: Responses Uses good judgment in application of relevant
Overall: 2 / 4 (N=2)Attorneys: 2 / 4 (N=2)
Diligence: law and rules. Is willing to handle cases on the docket even when they are complicated and time
Overall: 3 / 4 (N=2)Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=2)
Diligence: consuming. Does the necessary “homework” and is
Overall: 2.5 / 4 (N=2)Attorneys: 2.5 / 4 (N=2)
Diligence: prepared for cases. Begins court on time.
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=10)Non-Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=10)
Diligence: Maintains appropriate control over proceedings.
Overall: 3.1 / 4 (N=10)Non-Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=10)
Diligence: Sets reasonable schedules for cases.
Overall: 3.1 / 4 (N=10)Non-Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=10)
Diligence: Is prepared for cases
Overall: 3.1 / 4 (N=10)Non-Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=10)
Diligence: Manages court proceedings so there is little
Overall: 3.1 / 4 (N=10)Non-Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=10)
Fairness: Responses Gives participants an opportunity to be heard.
Overall: 2.6 / 4 (N=10)Non-Attorneys: 2.6 / 4 (N=10)
Fairness: Treats those involved in the case without bias.
Overall: 2.7 / 4 (N=10)Non-Attorneys: 2.7 / 4 (N=10)
Fairness: Treats people fairly who represent themselves.
Overall: 2.6 / 4 (N=9)Non-Attorneys: 2.6 / 4 (N=9)
Fairness: Gives each side enough time to present their
Overall: 2.6 / 4 (N=9)Non-Attorneys: 2.6 / 4 (N=9)Overall: 2.5 / 4 (N=2)Attorneys: 2.5 / 4 (N=2)
Fairness: case. Conducts their courtroom in a neutral manner.
Overall: 2.5 / 4 (N=2)Attorneys: 2.5 / 4 (N=2)
Fairness: Is fair and impartial to both sides.
Overall: 2.5 / 4 (N=2)Attorneys: 2.5 / 4 (N=2)
Published standards
Colorado statutory judicial performance standards
Meets Performance Standards
Participation
Attorney email invite
2 returned / 119 distributed
Attorney Survey Website
0 returned
Total Attorneys
2 returned
Non-attorney email Invite
7 returned / 346 distributed
Court Staff Email Invite (Self-select)
4 returned / 2,782 distributed
Citizen Feedback
1 returned
Juror Survey
0 returned
Total Non-Attorneys
12 returned
Commission narrative
The Fourteenth Judicial District Judicial Performance Commission unanimously agrees 7-0, with three commission vacancies, that Judge Nicholas Catanzarite MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS .
The Commission personally interviewed Judge Catanzarite, observed him in Court, reviewed judicial performance data, written orders, survey responses, and reviewed a self-evaluation completed by his Honor. It was clear from the interview that Judge Catanzarite has grown significantly in his role since 2015 and excels as a valuable judicial officer in the 14th Judicial District. The Commission was disappointed by the lack of participation in the survey results and would encourage the public to participate in the future. Survey responses were statistically unrepresentative and lacked sufficient context to provide meaningful feedback to the Commission. Judge Catanzarite handles a combined docket of traffic cases, civil disputes including small claims, criminal, and misdemeanor cases. Judge Catanzarite possesses an excellent judicial temperament and treats those in his courtroom with patience and respect. He demonstrates a breadth of legal knowledge and has developed strong processes supporting judicial efficiency. Judge Catanzarite displays good control of his courtroom with pro se and represented litigants alike. The Commission is pleased that Judge Catanzarite has embraced virtual courtroom proceedings to support accessibility of the Courts. The Commission encourages Judge Catanzarite to require video appearance (as opposed to audio-only) whenever possible to promote traditional standards of decorum. Judge Catanzarite has developed his skill in delivering oral rulings for expediency and continues to strengthen his organization and clarity in oral rulings. The Commission commends his Honor for the quality of his written rulings as well. Judge Catanzarite has also demonstrated leadership in the judiciary as part of the CourtCall pilot program and addressing pro se litigants’ increasing use of Artificial Intelligence to generate pleadings which can strain judicial resources. The Commission appreciates his more than a decade of service to the 14th Judicial District and finds Judge Catanzarite ranks high in demeanor, control, fairness, and efficiency.
Judge Nicholas Catanzarite was appointed to Grand County Court in 2015. Prior to his appointment to County Judge, he practiced law in Grand County for 3 years with a focus on criminal defense, real estate, and family law. Judge Catanzarite earned his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Denver in 2011.
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 ↗