William David Alexander

William David Alexander was appointed to the Tenth Judicial District Court in Pueblo by Governor John Hickenlooper in 2012. He hears all of the district's dependency and neglect cases and 15 percent of its criminal docket. Voters retained him in 2020 with 69.34 percent of the votes cast on the question: 54,761 yes and 24,218 no.

He graduated from the University of Denver College of Law in 1990 and worked as a public defender until 1994, when he became a magistrate in Pueblo County. In 2002 he became the municipal judge for the City of Pueblo. The commission commends his service to the legal profession and notes his community work in Pueblo, including with CASA volunteers and at Pueblo schools.

The Tenth Judicial District Judicial Performance Commission voted 7 to 3 that he does not meet performance standards.

The commission writes that "Judge Alexander demonstrates extensive experience as a judge and a good understanding of the law." His "courtroom demeanor is generally friendly and professional," the commission writes, but "there have been reports of occasional rude and disrespectful conduct directed at professionals appearing before the court." In criminal cases, the commission writes that "there seems to be general knowledge by the attorneys who appear in front of him that he tends to treat defense more favorable in sentencing decisions, which inhibits the prosecution in negotiating what they feel is a more appropriate disposition." The commission "acknowledges and respects Judge Alexander’s commitment to rehabilitation and treatment measures," but "finds this perspective may impede justice generally and more directly, the accountability of criminal defendants in many cases."

Many commissioners were also concerned by "allegations of Judge Alexander’s engagement in ex parte communications", which the commission describes as discussing a case with attorneys for one side when the other side is not present or notified. In the interview, the commission writes, "the Judge’s responses reflected limited acknowledgment of personal responsibility and tended to emphasize external factors and the conduct and actions of others."