Sean Finn at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Colorado · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Sean Finn
Judge · 17th 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 · 17th Judicial District District Court · District Court Judge
Published measures
Case Management: Responses Promptly issues a decision on the case after
Overall: 3.8 / 4 (N=28)Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=28)Non-Attorneys: 3.9 / 4 (N=28)
Case Management: trial. Maintains appropriate control over proceedings.
Overall: 3.9 / 4 (N=44)Attorneys: 3.9 / 4 (N=44)Non-Attorneys: 3.9 / 4 (N=44)
Case Management: Promptly rules on pre-trial motions.
Overall: 3.8 / 4 (N=29)Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=29)Non-Attorneys: 4 / 4 (N=29)
Case Management: Sets reasonable schedules for cases.
Overall: 3.8 / 4 (N=38)Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=38)Non-Attorneys: 3.9 / 4 (N=38)
Case Management: Provides an alternative to in-person hearings
Overall: 3.7 / 4 (N=17)Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=17)Non-Attorneys: 3.8 / 4 (N=17)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Responses Is able to identify and analyze relevant facts.
Overall: 3.7 / 4 (N=43)Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=43)Non-Attorneys: 3.8 / 4 (N=43)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Bases decisions on evidence and arguments.
Overall: 2.7 / 4 (N=7)Attorneys: 2.7 / 4 (N=7)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Issues consistent decisions when the
Overall: 3 / 4 (N=7)Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=7)
Application and Knowledge of Law: circumstances are similar. Rulings cite the applicable substantive law.
Overall: 3.1 / 4 (N=7)Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=7)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Consistently applies laws and rules.
Overall: 3 / 4 (N=7)Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=7)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Gives reasons for rulings.
Overall: 3.6 / 4 (N=40)Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=40)Non-Attorneys: 3.6 / 4 (N=40)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Willing to make decisions without regard to
Overall: 3.9 / 4 (N=34)Non-Attorneys: 3.9 / 4 (N=34)
Communications: Responses Makes sure all participants understand the
Overall: 4 / 4 (N=43)Attorneys: 3.9 / 4 (N=43)Non-Attorneys: 4 / 4 (N=43)
Communications: proceedings. When issuing a ruling, the judge provides an
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=7)Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=7)
Communications: explanation for the decision. Provides written communications that are clear,
Overall: 2.8 / 4 (N=5)Attorneys: 2.8 / 4 (N=5)
Communications: thorough, and well- reasoned. Listens carefully during court proceedings.
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=7)Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=7)
Communications: Uses language that everyone can understand.
Overall: 3.9 / 4 (N=37)Non-Attorneys: 3.9 / 4 (N=37)
Communications: Speaks clearly so everyone in the courtroom
Overall: 3.9 / 4 (N=36)Non-Attorneys: 3.9 / 4 (N=36)
Communications: can understand what's being said. Gives reasons for a ruling when needed.
Overall: 3.8 / 4 (N=35)Non-Attorneys: 3.8 / 4 (N=35)
Demeanor: Responses Gives proceedings a sense of dignity.
Overall: 3.8 / 4 (N=44)Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=44)Non-Attorneys: 3.9 / 4 (N=44)
Demeanor: Treats participants with respect.
Overall: 3.8 / 4 (N=44)Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=44)Non-Attorneys: 3.9 / 4 (N=44)
Demeanor: Reacts to an incident(s) in the courtroom
Overall: 3.1 / 4 (N=7)Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=7)
Demeanor: appropriately. Addresses individuals (e.g. attorneys, court staff, litigants, public witnesses) respectfully in
Overall: 3.1 / 4 (N=7)Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=7)
Demeanor: the courtroom. Maintains a professional demeanor in the
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=7)Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=7)
Demeanor: courtroom. Has a sense of compassion and human
Overall: 3.9 / 4 (N=36)Non-Attorneys: 3.9 / 4 (N=36)
Diligence: Responses Uses good judgment in application of relevant
Overall: 2.9 / 4 (N=7)Attorneys: 2.9 / 4 (N=7)
Diligence: law and rules. Is willing to handle cases on the docket even when they are complicated and time
Overall: 3.1 / 4 (N=7)Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=7)
Diligence: consuming. Does the necessary “homework” and is
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=7)Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=7)
Diligence: prepared for cases. Begins court on time.
Overall: 3.6 / 4 (N=36)Non-Attorneys: 3.6 / 4 (N=36)
Diligence: Maintains appropriate control over proceedings.
Overall: 4 / 4 (N=36)Non-Attorneys: 4 / 4 (N=36)
Diligence: Sets reasonable schedules for cases.
Overall: 3.9 / 4 (N=33)Non-Attorneys: 3.9 / 4 (N=33)
Diligence: Is prepared for cases
Overall: 3.9 / 4 (N=36)Non-Attorneys: 3.9 / 4 (N=36)
Diligence: Manages court proceedings so there is little
Overall: 3.8 / 4 (N=36)Non-Attorneys: 3.8 / 4 (N=36)
Fairness: Responses Gives participants an opportunity to be heard.
Overall: 3.8 / 4 (N=37)Non-Attorneys: 3.8 / 4 (N=37)
Fairness: Treats those involved in the case without bias.
Overall: 3.9 / 4 (N=37)Non-Attorneys: 3.9 / 4 (N=37)
Fairness: Treats people fairly who represent themselves.
Overall: 4 / 4 (N=27)Non-Attorneys: 4 / 4 (N=27)
Fairness: Gives each side enough time to present their
Overall: 3.9 / 4 (N=36)Non-Attorneys: 3.9 / 4 (N=36)Overall: 3 / 4 (N=7)Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=7)
Fairness: case. Conducts their courtroom in a neutral manner.
Overall: 2.6 / 4 (N=7)Attorneys: 2.6 / 4 (N=7)
Fairness: Is fair and impartial to both sides.
Overall: 2.6 / 4 (N=7)Attorneys: 2.6 / 4 (N=7)
Published standards
Colorado statutory judicial performance standards
Meets Performance Standards
Participation
Attorney email invite
7 returned / 196 distributed
Attorney Survey Website
0 returned
Total Attorneys
7 returned
Non-attorney email Invite
2 returned / 366 distributed
Court Staff Email Invite (Self-select)
3 returned / 2,782 distributed
Citizen Feedback
1 returned
Juror Survey
31 returned
Total Non-Attorneys
37 returned
Commission narrative
The Seventeenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance agrees by a vote of 7 to 1, with two commissioners absent, that Judge Sean Patrick Finn MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS .
Judge Finn is widely regarded as a highly knowledgeable and intellectually rigorous jurist. Attorneys and judicial colleagues consistently described him as well prepared, efficient, and very familiar with the law. The Commission found notable strengths in legal knowledge, administrative performance, and courtroom management. Judge Finn maintains an efficient docket, communicates clear expectations to counsel, and is recognized for his command of courtroom procedure and the law. He is also active in legal education, teaching judges, and attorneys throughout Colorado.
The Commission evaluated Judge Finn through courtroom observation, review of selected written decisions, survey responses (which, as with many judicial evaluations, were limited, with 44 total responses including 7 attorney responses), interviews with Judge Finn, the Chief Judge of the 17th Judicial District, and representatives from both the Public Defender’s Office and District Attorney’s Office, judicial performance data, and Judge Finn’s self-evaluation. The Commission found that Judge Finn demonstrates professionalism and a commitment to the judicial role. At the same time, some members of the Commission identified concerns relating to Judge Finn’s interaction with attorneys that warrant continued attention. The Commission discussed these matters directly with Judge Finn and it believes that increased sensitivity to how all participants experience proceedings in his courtroom will further enhance confidence in his fairness, impartiality, and professionalism.
Judge Finn has served as a District Court Judge in the 17th Judicial District, serving Adams and Broomfield Counties, since his appointment in 2018 by Governor John Hickenlooper. During this evaluation term, he presided over civil, domestic relations, juvenile, mental health, and criminal matters. Before joining the bench, Judge Finn served as a Senior Deputy District Attorney in Adams and Broomfield Counties and as Chief Trial Deputy and Chief Appellate Deputy in Boulder County. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Colorado and his law degree from Loyola Law School and remains active in legal education and professional training statewide.
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 ↗