--- title: "William J. Culver | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/william-j-culver-co-county-court-judge-16th-judicial-district" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # William J. Culver Colorado County Court, Otero County · Judge ## Profile - Court: Colorado County Court, Otero County - State: Colorado - Role: Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-26 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Before you appear - Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed. - Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance. - Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding. ## Courtroom Rules ### expanded media coverage Scope: 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. Evidence excerpt: 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 court [Request for Expanded Media Coverage](https://www.coloradojudicial.gov/media/request-expanded-media-coverage?topic=76&wrapped=true) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### expanded media notice Scope: 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. Evidence excerpt: Expanded Media Coverage applications to be submitted at least 24 hours in advance of the court proceeding in question. [Request for Expanded Media Coverage](https://www.coloradojudicial.gov/media/request-expanded-media-coverage?topic=76&wrapped=true) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://www.coloradojudicial.gov/contact/william-j-culver) - [Official roster](https://www.coloradojudicial.gov/contact/william-j-culver) - [Colorado Judicial Branch official judicial roster](https://www.coloradojudicial.gov/contact/william-j-culver) - [Request for Expanded Media Coverage](https://www.coloradojudicial.gov/media/request-expanded-media-coverage?topic=76&wrapped=true) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/william-j-culver-co-county-court-judge-16th-judicial-district", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/william-j-culver-co-county-court-judge-16th-judicial-district", "name": "William J. Culver | KnowJudges", "description": "William J. Culver, Colorado County Court, Otero County. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.", "dateModified": "2026-10-07", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/william-j-culver-co-county-court-judge-16th-judicial-district#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/william-j-culver-co-county-court-judge-16th-judicial-district#judge", "name": "William J. Culver", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/william-j-culver-co-county-court-judge-16th-judicial-district", "jobTitle": "Judge", "worksFor": { "@type": "GovernmentOrganization", "name": "Colorado County Court, Otero County" }, "sameAs": [ "https://www.coloradojudicial.gov/contact/william-j-culver" ] }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "KnowJudges", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Colorado", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/state/colorado" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "William J. Culver", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/william-j-culver-co-county-court-judge-16th-judicial-district" } ] } ] } ``` ## 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. ## Published courtroom rules ### Shared court rules - [Request for Expanded Media Coverage](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-18f557a3dab23203e245f5e3) — 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](https://www.coloradojudicial.gov/media/request-expanded-media-coverage?topic=76&wrapped=true). Collected 2026-07-26.