Lawrence Bowling

Lawrence Bowling was appointed to the Douglas County Court in August 2010, according to the commission's 2014 evaluation. He presides over civil, criminal, misdemeanor and traffic cases. Voters retained him in 2022 with 73.73 percent of the votes cast on the question: 103,026 yes and 36,715 no.

He worked as a field engineer in the oil and gas industry before law school. Before his appointment he spent six years in general private practice, two years as a deputy district attorney, four years as an assistant county attorney and four years as a district court and county court magistrate in Arapahoe and Douglas counties. He earned his undergraduate degree from Colorado Technical College in 1981 and his law degree from the University of Denver in 1993. He presides each year at the Colorado Bar Association high school mock trial competition and serves on committees working to improve mental health services.

The Twenty-Third Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance voted 7 to 0 that he meets performance standards, with one commissioner absent and two vacancies on the commission. Sixty people responded to its 2026 survey. Of the attorneys responding, 92 percent answered that he meets performance standards and 8 percent that he does not. Of the non-attorneys, 86 percent answered that he meets them, 11 percent that he does not and 2 percent gave no opinion.

The commission writes that "Judge Bowling scored higher than average for all County Judges and demonstrated strong ratings in all performance areas" and that he "reliably displays a calm temperament and respectful demeanor." It writes that he "strikes a balance between docket efficiency with a busy caseload and respect for each individual’s situation." It adds: "Survey participants consistently remarked on Judge Bowling’s strengths, especially noting his knowledge of law and impartiality."