Tamara S. Russell at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Colorado · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Tamara S. Russell
Judge · 1st 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 · 1st 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: 3.1 / 4 (N=21)Attorneys: 2.7 / 4 (N=21)Non-Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=21)
Case Management: trial. Maintains appropriate control over proceedings.
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=24)Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=24)Non-Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=24)
Case Management: Promptly rules on pre-trial motions.
Overall: 2.7 / 4 (N=15)Attorneys: 2 / 4 (N=15)Non-Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=15)
Case Management: Sets reasonable schedules for cases.
Overall: 2.6 / 4 (N=20)Attorneys: 2.9 / 4 (N=20)Non-Attorneys: 2.4 / 4 (N=20)
Case Management: Provides an alternative to in-person hearings
Overall: 2.3 / 4 (N=12)Attorneys: 2.5 / 4 (N=12)Non-Attorneys: 2.2 / 4 (N=12)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Responses Is able to identify and analyze relevant facts.
Overall: 3.1 / 4 (N=24)Attorneys: 2.9 / 4 (N=24)Non-Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=24)
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: 2.4 / 4 (N=5)Attorneys: 2.4 / 4 (N=5)
Application and Knowledge of Law: circumstances are similar. Rulings cite the applicable substantive law.
Overall: 2.7 / 4 (N=7)Attorneys: 2.7 / 4 (N=7)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Consistently applies laws and rules.
Overall: 2.5 / 4 (N=6)Attorneys: 2.5 / 4 (N=6)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Gives reasons for rulings.
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=14)Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=14)Non-Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=14)
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: 3.4 / 4 (N=22)Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=22)Non-Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=22)
Communications: proceedings. When issuing a ruling, the judge provides an
Overall: 2.9 / 4 (N=7)Attorneys: 2.9 / 4 (N=7)
Communications: explanation for the decision. Provides written communications that are clear,
Overall: 2.4 / 4 (N=7)Attorneys: 2.4 / 4 (N=7)
Communications: thorough, and well- reasoned. Listens carefully during court proceedings.
Overall: 2.7 / 4 (N=7)Attorneys: 2.7 / 4 (N=7)
Communications: Uses language that everyone can understand.
Overall: 3.6 / 4 (N=16)Non-Attorneys: 3.6 / 4 (N=16)
Communications: Speaks clearly so everyone in the courtroom
Overall: 3.6 / 4 (N=16)Non-Attorneys: 3.6 / 4 (N=16)
Communications: can understand what's being said. Gives reasons for a ruling when needed.
Overall: 3.5 / 4 (N=16)Non-Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=16)
Demeanor: Responses Gives proceedings a sense of dignity.
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=23)Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=23)Non-Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=23)
Demeanor: Treats participants with respect.
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=23)Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=23)Non-Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=23)
Demeanor: Reacts to an incident(s) in the courtroom
Overall: 3 / 4 (N=6)Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=6)
Demeanor: appropriately. Addresses individuals (e.g. attorneys, court staff, litigants, public witnesses) respectfully in
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=7)Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=7)
Demeanor: the courtroom. Maintains a professional demeanor in the
Overall: 3.1 / 4 (N=7)Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=7)
Demeanor: courtroom. Has a sense of compassion and human
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=16)Non-Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=16)
Diligence: Responses Uses good judgment in application of relevant
Overall: 3.1 / 4 (N=7)Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=7)
Diligence: law and rules. Is willing to handle cases on the docket even when they are complicated and time
Overall: 2.2 / 4 (N=5)Attorneys: 2.2 / 4 (N=5)
Diligence: consuming. Does the necessary “homework” and is
Overall: 2.1 / 4 (N=7)Attorneys: 2.1 / 4 (N=7)
Diligence: prepared for cases. Begins court on time.
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=15)Non-Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=15)
Diligence: Maintains appropriate control over proceedings.
Overall: 3.5 / 4 (N=16)Non-Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=16)
Diligence: Sets reasonable schedules for cases.
Overall: 3 / 4 (N=13)Non-Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=13)
Diligence: Is prepared for cases
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=15)Non-Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=15)
Diligence: Manages court proceedings so there is little
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=15)Non-Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=15)
Fairness: Responses Gives participants an opportunity to be heard.
Overall: 3.5 / 4 (N=15)Non-Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=15)
Fairness: Treats those involved in the case without bias.
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=15)Non-Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=15)
Fairness: Treats people fairly who represent themselves.
Overall: 3.6 / 4 (N=10)Non-Attorneys: 3.6 / 4 (N=10)
Fairness: Gives each side enough time to present their
Overall: 3.5 / 4 (N=15)Non-Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=15)Overall: 3.1 / 4 (N=7)Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=7)
Fairness: case. Conducts their courtroom in a neutral manner.
Overall: 2.7 / 4 (N=7)Attorneys: 2.7 / 4 (N=7)
Fairness: Is fair and impartial to both sides.
Overall: 2.7 / 4 (N=7)Attorneys: 2.7 / 4 (N=7)
Published standards
Colorado statutory judicial performance standards
The First Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously agrees by a vote of 10-0 that Judge Tamara S. Russell MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS .
Participation
Attorney email invite
6 returned / 350 distributed
Attorney Survey Website
1 returned
Total Attorneys
7 returned
Non-attorney email Invite
9 returned / 282 distributed
Court Staff Email Invite (Self-select)
1 returned / 2,782 distributed
Citizen Feedback
0 returned
Juror Survey
7 returned
Total Non-Attorneys
17 returned
Commission narrative
The First Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously agrees by a vote of 10-0 that Judge Tamara S. Russell MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS .
During most of this term, Judge Russell presided over a mixed docket including criminal, civil, and domestic relations cases. However, in February of 2026, Judge Russell’s docket switched to an all-criminal docket. Judge Russell is a highly experienced Judge and is noted to be balanced and respectful to both attorneys and litigants in her courtroom. She strives to treat each person in her courtroom equally with dignity, respect, and fairness. She demonstrates a good command of the law and the rules of evidence, and her orders are typically well-reasoned and detailed. She stays current with changes in the law, something she prioritizes and makes significant effort to do. Judge Russell aims to balance her efforts to manage court time effectively and efficiently with her judicial philosophy of allowing all parties to fully state their positions in her courtroom and be heard. Even if a litigant disagrees with her rulings, she works to have the parties feel that they are understood and that they, in turn, understand her rulings. This aim has, at times, potentially come at the expense of docket management, a component of her performance that she continues to hone.
The Commission conducted a personal interview with Judge Russell, reviewed orders she authored, observed her in court, reviewed the 2020-2025 judicial performance survey responses from attorneys and non-attorneys appearing before her, received feedback from the Chief Judge of the District, as well as the District Attorney and Public Defender Office Head. The 2026 survey results had a very limited number of responses, but a significant majority of attorneys and non-attorneys opined that Judge Russell meets performance standards. 11 appellate judges responded to the performance survey and rated Judge Russell highly (3.5 out of 4.0).
Judge Russell was raised in rural Indiana and graduated from Indiana University with honors. She attended CU Law School and graduated in 1987. Most of her career has been spent in the courtroom; she worked for an insurance defense firm after law school and then became a deputy district attorney in Adams County. Subsequently, she became Chief Deputy City Attorney in Lakewood, Colorado, which lasted until she was appointed to the Jefferson County District Court bench on October 1, 2005.
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 ↗