Timothy Kerns at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Colorado · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Timothy Kerns
Judge · 19th 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 · 19th Judicial District District Court · District Court Judge
8 For / primary
0 Against / secondary
Published measures
Case Management: Responses Promptly issues a decision on the case after
Overall: 3.7 / 4 (N=15)Attorneys: 3.7 / 4 (N=15)Non-Attorneys: 3.8 / 4 (N=15)
Case Management: trial. Maintains appropriate control over proceedings.
Overall: 3.6 / 4 (N=17)Attorneys: 4 / 4 (N=17)Non-Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=17)
Case Management: Promptly rules on pre-trial motions.
Overall: 3.5 / 4 (N=15)Attorneys: 4 / 4 (N=15)Non-Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=15)
Case Management: Sets reasonable schedules for cases.
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=17)Attorneys: 4 / 4 (N=17)Non-Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=17)
Case Management: Provides an alternative to in-person hearings
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=15)Attorneys: 4 / 4 (N=15)Non-Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=15)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Responses Is able to identify and analyze relevant facts.
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=17)Attorneys: 3.7 / 4 (N=17)Non-Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=17)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Bases decisions on evidence and arguments.
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=3)Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=3)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Issues consistent decisions when the
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=3)Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=3)
Application and Knowledge of Law: circumstances are similar. Rulings cite the applicable substantive law.
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=3)Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=3)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Consistently applies laws and rules.
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=3)Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=3)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Gives reasons for rulings.
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=14)Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=14)Non-Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=14)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Willing to make decisions without regard to
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=14)Non-Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=14)
Communications: Responses Makes sure all participants understand the
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=15)Attorneys: 4 / 4 (N=15)Non-Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=15)
Communications: proceedings. When issuing a ruling, the judge provides an
Overall: 3.5 / 4 (N=2)Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=2)
Communications: explanation for the decision. Provides written communications that are clear,
Overall: 4 / 4 (N=2)Attorneys: 4 / 4 (N=2)
Communications: thorough, and well- reasoned. Listens carefully during court proceedings.
Overall: 4 / 4 (N=2)Attorneys: 4 / 4 (N=2)
Communications: Uses language that everyone can understand.
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=13)Non-Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=13)
Communications: Speaks clearly so everyone in the courtroom
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=13)Non-Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=13)
Communications: can understand what's being said. Gives reasons for a ruling when needed.
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=13)Non-Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=13)
Demeanor: Responses Gives proceedings a sense of dignity.
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=14)Attorneys: 4 / 4 (N=14)Non-Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=14)
Demeanor: Treats participants with respect.
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=14)Attorneys: 4 / 4 (N=14)Non-Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=14)
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: 4 / 4 (N=2)Attorneys: 4 / 4 (N=2)
Demeanor: the courtroom. Maintains a professional demeanor in the
Overall: 4 / 4 (N=2)Attorneys: 4 / 4 (N=2)
Demeanor: courtroom. Has a sense of compassion and human
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=12)Non-Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=12)
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: 4 / 4 (N=2)Attorneys: 4 / 4 (N=2)
Diligence: consuming. Does the necessary “homework” and is
Overall: 4 / 4 (N=2)Attorneys: 4 / 4 (N=2)
Diligence: prepared for cases. Begins court on time.
Overall: 3.8 / 4 (N=12)Non-Attorneys: 3.8 / 4 (N=12)
Diligence: Maintains appropriate control over proceedings.
Overall: 3.8 / 4 (N=12)Non-Attorneys: 3.8 / 4 (N=12)
Diligence: Sets reasonable schedules for cases.
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=12)Non-Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=12)
Diligence: Is prepared for cases
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=12)Non-Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=12)
Diligence: Manages court proceedings so there is little
Overall: 3.7 / 4 (N=12)Non-Attorneys: 3.7 / 4 (N=12)
Fairness: Responses Gives participants an opportunity to be heard.
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=11)Non-Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=11)
Fairness: Treats those involved in the case without bias.
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=11)Non-Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=11)
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: 3.6 / 4 (N=10)Non-Attorneys: 3.6 / 4 (N=10)Overall: 4 / 4 (N=2)Attorneys: 4 / 4 (N=2)
Fairness: case. Conducts their courtroom in a neutral manner.
Overall: 4 / 4 (N=2)Attorneys: 4 / 4 (N=2)
Fairness: Is fair and impartial to both sides.
Overall: 3.5 / 4 (N=2)Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=2)
Published standards
Colorado statutory judicial performance standards
The Nineteenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously agrees by vote of 8-0, with two commissioners absent, that Judge Timothy Gerard Kerns MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS .
Participation
Attorney email invite
3 returned / 154 distributed
Attorney Survey Website
0 returned
Total Attorneys
3 returned
Non-attorney email Invite
5 returned / 239 distributed
Court Staff Email Invite (Self-select)
4 returned / 2,782 distributed
Citizen Feedback
0 returned
Juror Survey
5 returned
Total Non-Attorneys
14 returned
Commission narrative
The Nineteenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously agrees by vote of 8-0, with two commissioners absent, that Judge Timothy Gerard Kerns MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS .
Judge Kerns currently presides over a criminal docket in District Court in Weld County, Colorado. His performance was evaluated using the following statutory criteria: integrity, legal knowledge, communication skills, judicial temperament, administrative performance, and service to the legal profession and the public. The Commission found that Judge Kerns generally excelled in each category. His personable demeanor produces a courtroom atmosphere focused on respect for everyone involved. His oral rulings from the bench clearly frame the legal issues and reflect a solid knowledge of the law. His written rulings are thorough and intelligently expressed. Furthermore, the Commission found his judicial style to be authentic and thoughtful, and appreciated his ability to adapt to the uniqueness of each case.
The Commission’s conclusions are based on observing Judge Kerns in court, a personal interview, reviewing opinions he authored, and reviewing survey responses from attorneys and non-attorneys who had been involved in cases in his courtroom. Those survey responses produced an overall score of 3.8 out of 4, which is higher than the state average. Additionally, 100% of attorneys and 82% of non-attorneys responding to the survey stated that he meets performance standards. These high marks are consistent with the independent evaluations of Commission members.
Judge Kerns was appointed to the District Court bench in January 2011, after serving three years as a County Court judge. Prior to becoming a judge, he was a partner in a law firm that focused on mediation, family law, dependency and neglect proceedings, and general civil matters. He received his undergraduate degrees from Central Methodist College in 1991. He earned his law degree from the University of Missouri – Kansas City in 1994. Finally, Judge Kerns serves on several community boards, including the Weld County Pretrial Services Board, Weld County Bar Association Board, and Peer to Peer Judicial Coaching Board.
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 ↗