William J. Culver at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Colorado · State
- Judicial service
- Active
William J. Culver
Judge · Colorado County Court, Otero 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, Otero County · County Court Judge
8 For / primary
0 Against / secondary
Published measures
Case Management: Responses Promptly issues a decision on the case after
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=15)Attorneys: 3.8 / 4 (N=15)Non-Attorneys: 2.9 / 4 (N=15)
Case Management: trial. Maintains appropriate control over proceedings.
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=17)Attorneys: 3.8 / 4 (N=17)Non-Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=17)
Case Management: Promptly rules on pre-trial motions.
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=15)Attorneys: 3.7 / 4 (N=15)Non-Attorneys: 2.9 / 4 (N=15)
Case Management: Sets reasonable schedules for cases.
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=17)Attorneys: 3.7 / 4 (N=17)Non-Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=17)
Case Management: Provides an alternative to in-person hearings
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=16)Attorneys: 3.7 / 4 (N=16)Non-Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=16)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Responses Is able to identify and analyze relevant facts.
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=16)Attorneys: 3.8 / 4 (N=16)Non-Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=16)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Bases decisions on evidence and arguments.
Overall: 3.5 / 4 (N=6)Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=6)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Issues consistent decisions when the
Overall: 3.7 / 4 (N=6)Attorneys: 3.7 / 4 (N=6)
Application and Knowledge of Law: circumstances are similar. Rulings cite the applicable substantive law.
Overall: 3.7 / 4 (N=6)Attorneys: 3.7 / 4 (N=6)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Consistently applies laws and rules.
Overall: 3.7 / 4 (N=6)Attorneys: 3.7 / 4 (N=6)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Gives reasons for rulings.
Overall: 3.9 / 4 (N=10)Attorneys: 4 / 4 (N=10)Non-Attorneys: 3.8 / 4 (N=10)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Willing to make decisions without regard to
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=10)Non-Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=10)
Communications: Responses Makes sure all participants understand the
Overall: 3.6 / 4 (N=16)Attorneys: 4 / 4 (N=16)Non-Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=16)
Communications: proceedings. When issuing a ruling, the judge provides an
Overall: 4 / 4 (N=6)Attorneys: 4 / 4 (N=6)
Communications: explanation for the decision. Provides written communications that are clear,
Overall: 4 / 4 (N=5)Attorneys: 4 / 4 (N=5)
Communications: thorough, and well- reasoned. Listens carefully during court proceedings.
Overall: 3.8 / 4 (N=6)Attorneys: 3.8 / 4 (N=6)
Communications: Uses language that everyone can understand.
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=10)Non-Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=10)
Communications: Speaks clearly so everyone in the courtroom
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=10)Non-Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=10)
Communications: can understand what's being said. Gives reasons for a ruling when needed.
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=10)Non-Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=10)
Demeanor: Responses Gives proceedings a sense of dignity.
Overall: 3.6 / 4 (N=16)Attorneys: 4 / 4 (N=16)Non-Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=16)
Demeanor: Treats participants with respect.
Overall: 3.6 / 4 (N=16)Attorneys: 3.7 / 4 (N=16)Non-Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=16)
Demeanor: Reacts to an incident(s) in the courtroom
Overall: 3.7 / 4 (N=6)Attorneys: 3.7 / 4 (N=6)
Demeanor: appropriately. Addresses individuals (e.g. attorneys, court staff, litigants, public witnesses) respectfully in
Overall: 3.5 / 4 (N=6)Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=6)
Demeanor: the courtroom. Maintains a professional demeanor in the
Overall: 3.7 / 4 (N=6)Attorneys: 3.7 / 4 (N=6)
Demeanor: courtroom. Has a sense of compassion and human
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=10)Non-Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=10)
Diligence: Responses Uses good judgment in application of relevant
Overall: 3.5 / 4 (N=6)Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=6)
Diligence: law and rules. Is willing to handle cases on the docket even when they are complicated and time
Overall: 3.5 / 4 (N=6)Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=6)
Diligence: consuming. Does the necessary “homework” and is
Overall: 3.7 / 4 (N=6)Attorneys: 3.7 / 4 (N=6)
Diligence: prepared for cases. Begins court on time.
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=10)Non-Attorneys: 3.3 / 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 / 4 (N=10)Non-Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=10)
Diligence: Is prepared for cases
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=10)Non-Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=10)
Diligence: Manages court proceedings so there is little
Overall: 3 / 4 (N=10)Non-Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=10)
Fairness: Responses Gives participants an opportunity to be heard.
Overall: 3 / 4 (N=10)Non-Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=10)
Fairness: Treats those involved in the case without bias.
Overall: 3.1 / 4 (N=10)Non-Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=10)
Fairness: Treats people fairly who represent themselves.
Overall: 3 / 4 (N=10)Non-Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=10)
Fairness: Gives each side enough time to present their
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=10)Non-Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=10)Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=6)Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=6)
Fairness: case. Conducts their courtroom in a neutral manner.
Overall: 3 / 4 (N=6)Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=6)
Fairness: Is fair and impartial to both sides.
Overall: 3 / 4 (N=6)Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=6)
Published standards
Colorado statutory judicial performance standards
The Sixteenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance agrees by a vote of 8-0, with one commissioner abstaining and one commission vacancy, that Judge William Culver MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS .
Participation
Attorney email invite
6 returned / 103 distributed
Attorney Survey Website
0 returned
Total Attorneys
6 returned
Non-attorney email Invite
6 returned / 301 distributed
Court Staff Email Invite (Self-select)
5 returned / 2,782 distributed
Citizen Feedback
0 returned
Juror Survey
0 returned
Total Non-Attorneys
11 returned
Commission narrative
The Sixteenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance agrees by a vote of 8-0, with one commissioner abstaining and one commission vacancy, that Judge William Culver MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS .
Judge Culver presides over civil, criminal advisements, misdemeanors, traffic, and small claims matters in Otero County, Colorado. Judge Culver’s demeanor is described as, patient, fair, and understanding of people in the court room. Judge Culver has excellent docket control, consistently prepared for his hearings and executes exceptional oral and written orders. Commission members observed these qualities during their evaluation and interview. Based on these findings, the Commission agreed that Judge Culver meets performance standards.
The Commission conducted a personal interview with Judge Culver, interviewed both the Public Defender and District Attorney, reviewed opinions he authored, observed him in court, reviewed a self-evaluation, and reviewed judicial performance survey responses from attorneys and non-attorneys who had appeared before him. Although only 17 surveys were completed for Judge Culver, the Commission determined that the remaining sources provided a sufficient basis to issue this opinion.
Judge Culver has been appointed to the County Court since 2024. Before becoming a County Court Judge, Judge Culver was the elected district attorney for the 16th Judicial District. Prior to 2012, Judge Culver was a solo practitioner and focused on complex divorce proceedings and criminal defense. Judge Culver also litigated dependency and neglect cases, juvenile delinquency cases, civil cases and provided consultation in probate matters. Judge Culver graduated from Emory University School of Law in 1995 with a juris doctorate and Fort Hays State University in 1992 with a BA. Judge Culver is a member of the Colorado Bar, the Bar of the United States District Court for Colorado and the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals.
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 ↗