County Court Judge - Weld: Dana Nichols

What the commission said

The Nineteenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously agrees by vote of 8-0, with two commissioners absent, that Judge Dana Nichols MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS.

Judge Nichols currently presides over a County Court criminal docket in Weld County, Colorado. The Commission evaluated her performance on the following statutory criteria: integrity, legal knowledge, communication skills, judicial temperament, administrative performance, and service to the legal profession and the public. The Commission based its conclusions on observing Judge Nichols in court, a personal interview, reviewing survey responses from attorneys and non-attorneys who had been involved in cases in her courtroom, feedback received from the District Attorney’s Office and Office of the Public Defender, and reviewing a transcript, Court Order, and Appellate Order regarding a decision of the court. The Commission found that Judge Nichols was satisfactory in each of the statutory criteria, with 78% of attorneys and 88% of non-attorneys finding that Judge Nichols meets performance standards.

Judge Nichols received notable remarks for her demeanor on the bench and communication. She is observed to have a good judicial temperament and treats those who appears in her courtroom with kindness and respect. The Commission notes feedback suggesting Judge Nichols needs improvement in her legal knowledge, specifically ensuring her opinions are supported by the appropriate legal authority. Judge Nichols was receptive to this feedback, acknowledging that she needs to balance her use of plain language which facilitates clear understanding, to her obligation to safeguard the record with supporting legal authority. The Commission also acknowledges Judge Nichols’ contribution to the legal profession as a leader in the formation of a specialized Competency Court docket to help address mental health issues in County Court. Judge Nichols described this effort as a substantial undertaking but something that has been very important and rewarding. Her commitment to this endeavor is of great service to the legal profession and community.

Judge Nichols was appointed to the Weld County Court bench in 2007. Before her appointment, she served as a Deputy Public Defender for nearly 10 years in the Greeley, Pueblo, and Colorado Springs trial offices, as well as the Appellate division. She also spent three years in private civil practice in Denver with the firm of Kennedy & Christopher, P.C. Judge Nichols obtained her law degree from the University of Colorado School of Law and has an undergraduate degree in biological sciences from Colorado State University. Judge Nichols is a member of the County Court Judges Association (past president) and the Weld Chapter of the Colorado Women’s Bar Association. She previously served on state committees for the Colorado Rules of Criminal Procedure and the Colorado Senior Judge Program. She has authored chapters for the Colorado DUI Bench book. She currently serves on the Board for North Range Behavioral Health. Judge Nichols is currently assigned to Division 9, hearing all types of County Court cases including civil disputes, domestic violence, and DUI cases, and presiding over the Competency Court docket.

The survey

The share of each group surveyed who said the judge meets performance standards.

• Attorneys78%
• Non-attorneys88%