Zachary Malkinson at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Colorado · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Zachary Malkinson
Judge · Colorado County Court, Boulder County
Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.
Available research
Biography and careerSource-attributed professional, judicial, and education record
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, Boulder County · County Court Judge
10 For / primary
0 Against / secondary
Published measures
Case Management: Responses Promptly issues a decision on the case after
Overall: 3.5 / 4 (N=22)Attorneys: 3.5 / 4 (N=22)Non-Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=22)
Case Management: trial. Maintains appropriate control over proceedings.
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=29)Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=29)Non-Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=29)
Case Management: Promptly rules on pre-trial motions.
Overall: 3.1 / 4 (N=25)Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=25)Non-Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=25)
Case Management: Sets reasonable schedules for cases.
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=28)Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=28)Non-Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=28)
Case Management: Provides an alternative to in-person hearings
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=25)Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=25)Non-Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=25)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Responses Is able to identify and analyze relevant facts.
Overall: 2.9 / 4 (N=29)Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=29)Non-Attorneys: 2.8 / 4 (N=29)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Bases decisions on evidence and arguments.
Overall: 2.6 / 4 (N=16)Attorneys: 2.6 / 4 (N=16)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Issues consistent decisions when the
Overall: 2.9 / 4 (N=16)Attorneys: 2.9 / 4 (N=16)
Application and Knowledge of Law: circumstances are similar. Rulings cite the applicable substantive law.
Overall: 3 / 4 (N=16)Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=16)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Consistently applies laws and rules.
Overall: 2.8 / 4 (N=16)Attorneys: 2.8 / 4 (N=16)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Gives reasons for rulings.
Overall: 2.8 / 4 (N=20)Attorneys: 2.8 / 4 (N=20)Non-Attorneys: 2.7 / 4 (N=20)
Application and Knowledge of Law: Willing to make decisions without regard to
Overall: 2.8 / 4 (N=12)Non-Attorneys: 2.8 / 4 (N=12)
Communications: Responses Makes sure all participants understand the
Overall: 3.1 / 4 (N=29)Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=29)Non-Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=29)
Communications: proceedings. When issuing a ruling, the judge provides an
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=16)Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=16)
Communications: explanation for the decision. Provides written communications that are clear,
Overall: 2.9 / 4 (N=16)Attorneys: 2.9 / 4 (N=16)
Communications: thorough, and well- reasoned. Listens carefully during court proceedings.
Overall: 2.9 / 4 (N=16)Attorneys: 2.9 / 4 (N=16)
Communications: Uses language that everyone can understand.
Overall: 3.1 / 4 (N=13)Non-Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=13)
Communications: Speaks clearly so everyone in the courtroom
Overall: 3.4 / 4 (N=13)Non-Attorneys: 3.4 / 4 (N=13)
Communications: can understand what's being said. Gives reasons for a ruling when needed.
Overall: 2.8 / 4 (N=13)Non-Attorneys: 2.8 / 4 (N=13)
Demeanor: Responses Gives proceedings a sense of dignity.
Overall: 3.1 / 4 (N=29)Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=29)Non-Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=29)
Demeanor: Treats participants with respect.
Overall: 3.1 / 4 (N=29)Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=29)Non-Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=29)
Demeanor: Reacts to an incident(s) in the courtroom
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=16)Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=16)
Demeanor: appropriately. Addresses individuals (e.g. attorneys, court staff, litigants, public witnesses) respectfully in
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=16)Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=16)
Demeanor: the courtroom. Maintains a professional demeanor in the
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=16)Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=16)
Demeanor: courtroom. Has a sense of compassion and human
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=13)Non-Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=13)
Diligence: Responses Uses good judgment in application of relevant
Overall: 2.8 / 4 (N=16)Attorneys: 2.8 / 4 (N=16)
Diligence: law and rules. Is willing to handle cases on the docket even when they are complicated and time
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=15)Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=15)
Diligence: consuming. Does the necessary “homework” and is
Overall: 3.2 / 4 (N=15)Attorneys: 3.2 / 4 (N=15)
Diligence: prepared for cases. Begins court on time.
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=13)Non-Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=13)
Diligence: Maintains appropriate control over proceedings.
Overall: 3.3 / 4 (N=13)Non-Attorneys: 3.3 / 4 (N=13)
Diligence: Sets reasonable schedules for cases.
Overall: 2.8 / 4 (N=12)Non-Attorneys: 2.8 / 4 (N=12)
Diligence: Is prepared for cases
Overall: 3 / 4 (N=13)Non-Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=13)
Diligence: Manages court proceedings so there is little
Overall: 2.8 / 4 (N=13)Non-Attorneys: 2.8 / 4 (N=13)
Fairness: Responses Gives participants an opportunity to be heard.
Overall: 3 / 4 (N=13)Non-Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=13)
Fairness: Treats those involved in the case without bias.
Overall: 3 / 4 (N=13)Non-Attorneys: 3 / 4 (N=13)
Fairness: Treats people fairly who represent themselves.
Overall: 2.6 / 4 (N=10)Non-Attorneys: 2.6 / 4 (N=10)
Fairness: Gives each side enough time to present their
Overall: 2.7 / 4 (N=11)Non-Attorneys: 2.7 / 4 (N=11)Overall: 3.1 / 4 (N=16)Attorneys: 3.1 / 4 (N=16)
Fairness: case. Conducts their courtroom in a neutral manner.
Overall: 2.6 / 4 (N=16)Attorneys: 2.6 / 4 (N=16)
Fairness: Is fair and impartial to both sides.
Overall: 2.4 / 4 (N=16)Attorneys: 2.4 / 4 (N=16)
Published standards
Colorado statutory judicial performance standards
The Twentieth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance, by a vote of 10-0, finds that Judge Zachary Ilya Malkinson MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS .
Participation
Attorney email invite
16 returned / 234 distributed
Attorney Survey Website
0 returned
Total Attorneys
16 returned
Non-attorney email Invite
8 returned / 459 distributed
Court Staff Email Invite (Self-select)
4 returned / 2,782 distributed
Citizen Feedback
0 returned
Juror Survey
1 returned
Total Non-Attorneys
13 returned
Commission narrative
The Twentieth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance, by a vote of 10-0, finds that Judge Zachary Ilya Malkinson MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS .
Judge Malkinson presides over traffic, misdemeanor, civil, criminal, and small claims cases in the 20th Judicial District in Boulder, CO. His judicial temperament is engaged, respectful, and even-tempered. His courtroom is well managed and efficient. His decisions are thoughtful and well-reasoned, reflecting careful consideration of the issues and a strong command of the law. His written rulings and communication from the bench are clear and professional. Judge Malkinson is well-prepared and effectively balances the tension between managing his docket efficiently and giving each case the time that it requires. Survey results show that both attorneys and non-attorneys appreciate his understanding and application of the law, and the effort that he makes to explain it in his rulings.
The Judicial Performance Commission evaluates judges on six standards: legal knowledge, communication, administrative performance, integrity, judicial temperament, and service to the legal profession. To evaluate Judge Malkinson’s performance the Commission observed him in court, reviewed opinions he authored, considered his self-evaluation, held a public meeting to invite comments, and reviewed responses to a survey distributed to all persons who have appeared in his court. The Commission also conducted personal interviews with Judge Malkinson, the District Attorney, and a representative of the Boulder defense bar.
Judge Malkinson was appointed to the County Court bench in January 2019. Prior to his appointment, he practiced as a partner in two Boulder law firms and as a solo practitioner where his law practice focused on criminal defense. Before entering private practice, Judge Malkinson was a trial attorney for the Alameda County Public Defender’s Office in Oakland, CA. Judge Malkinson attended Boulder High School, earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Iowa, and received his law degree from the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco (formerly UC Hastings) in 2001. He participates annually in the Colorado High School Mock Trial competitions, where he was the presiding judge for the February 2025 and 2026 sessions, speaks at Boulder County Bar Association events, and serves on the planning committee for the annual Judicial Conference.
Evaluation history
2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · Historical cycles are shown separately until instrument compatibility is established.
Biography
Professional career
- He previously practiced as a partner in the Boulder law firms Malkinson Salomone and Malkinson Wheeler, and as a solo practitioner with the Law Office of Zachary Malkinson.
Judicial service
- Judge Malkinson was appointed to the County Court bench in January 2019.
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 ↗