William J. Culver at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Colorado · State
- Judicial service
- Active
William J. Culver
Biography
Professional career
- Prior to being appointed, Judge Culver served as District Attorney in the 16th Judicial District since 2021 and was the Assistant District Attorney in the 16th Judicial District from 2012 to 2021.
- Appointed as Otero County Judge by Governor Jared Polis on March 16, 2024, filling the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Douglas Manley
- Before his judicial appointment, Culver held the role of the District Attorney for the 16th Judicial District from 2021 until his appointment to the bench.
- Prior to that, he was an Assistant District Attorney in the same district from 2012 to 2021, gaining extensive experience in criminal prosecution.
- Earlier in his career, Culver worked as a solo practitioner from 2003 to 2012 and as an associate attorney with the Law Office of J.E. Losavio from 1996 to 2003
- From 2003 to 2012, he was a solo practitioner, and prior to that an Associate Attorney with the Law Office of J.E. Losavio from 1996 to 2003.
- Judge William J. Culver brings decades of legal experience to the Otero County bench, combining his work as a prosecutor, district attorney, and private attorney
Education
- Is B.A. from Fort Hays State University in 1992 and his J.D. from Emory University School of Law in 1995.
Additional information
- In this role, he presides over cases in the Otero County Court within Colorado’s 16th Judicial District.
- This diverse experience provided him with a strong foundation in both litigation and legal practice management.
- His legal practice has focused primarily on criminal law, including handling serious felony cases and murder trials, where he actively participated in investigations, motions, and jury trials.
- His educational background laid the groundwork for a career spanning private practice, prosecution, and judicial service.
- His appointment reflects a career dedicated to criminal law and public service in Colorado’s 16th Judicial District.
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 ↗
Published courtroom rules
Shared court rules
Request for Expanded Media Coverage
Colorado County Court, Otero County
Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory.
Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Sources
Identity source checked July 26, 2026.
Biography sources checked October 14, 2026.
Colorado Judicial Branch official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Colorado Judicial Branch official judicial roster ↗Request for Expanded Media Coverage
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
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