In re Timbreza.

2023 CO 16. No. 22SA194. Imposition of Discipline for Violation of Judicial Duties.

April 24, 2023

Former Judge Lance P. Timbreza appeared before the special tribunal of the Colorado Supreme Court for imposition of discipline based on violations of the duties of his office as Mesa County District Court judge. The special tribunal was convened because the Supreme Court had to recuse itself in this matter under Rule 41(b) of the Colorado Rules of Judicial Discipline.

Consistent with recommendations from the Colorado Commission on Judicial Discipline, the special tribunal publicly censured Timbreza for violating Code of Judicial Conduct Canon Rule (Canon Rule) 1.1 (“A judge shall comply with the law, including the Code of Judicial Conduct”); Canon Rule 1.2 (“A judge shall act at all times in a manner that promotes public confidence in the independence, integrity, and impartiality of the judiciary, and shall avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety”); Canon Rule 1.3 (“A judge shall not abuse the prestige of judicial office to advance the personal or economic interests of the judge or others, or allow others to do so”); Canon Rule 2.3 (“A judge shall not . . . engage in harassment, including but not limited to bias, prejudice, or harassment based upon race, sex, [or] gender . . . .”); and CJD 08-06 (“The Colorado Judicial Department will not tolerate, condone or allow harassment . . . in the workplace or during any work-related activity . . . .”). The special tribunal further ordered Timbreza to pay $20,658 in attorney fees and costs to the State of Colorado.