Dina M. Christiansen

Dina M. Christiansen practiced mainly domestic relations law, with some criminal and probate work, from 2004 to 2019. In 2019 she became a district court magistrate in the Eighth Judicial District, and on October 2, 2024, she was appointed a district court judge in the Thirteenth Judicial District. The evaluation says that since her appointment she "created a statewide mandated competency court docket." She holds degrees from the University of Utah and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas law school.

The 13th Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance voted 5 to 2 that she does not meet performance standards; two seats were vacant and one member was recused. It states that it "is in support of the State Commission’s narrative regarding Judge Christiansen." The commission credits her "commitment to professional growth, her willingness to take on complex matters, and her efforts to expand judicial services within the district", and it "identified significant concerns related to judicial temperament, legal analysis, and courtroom management." It writes that "Multiple attorneys reported that Judge Christiansen can appear rigid, dismissive, or unnecessarily confrontational during hearings, particularly in more contentious matters."

The survey drew 29 responses, a 5.5 percent response rate among attorneys and 0.39 percent among non-attorneys, with an overall score of 2.9 out of 4. Her lowest score, 2.7 out of 4, was for application and knowledge of the law.

Judge Christiansen filed a complaint under Rule 21 of the Rules Governing Commissions on Judicial Performance. The State Commission on Judicial Performance found that the district commission "had failed to complete the required “initial interim evaluation,” which is mandated by both statute and rule." It interviewed her, Chief Judge McGuire and district commissioners, and reviewed the Colorado Supreme Court's published opinion in In re People in Interest of G.D.M. (June 8, 2026). It states that it "cannot change or reverse the District Commission’s recommendation".

The State Commission voted 8 to 0 that she meets performance standards; one commissioner was absent and two seats were vacant. It recommends that she take part in a Judicial Improvement Plan "to address the issues identified by survey respondents and the District Commission."

In her response, Judge Christiansen writes that her 2026 evaluation shows "93% of attorneys and 82% of non-attorneys state that I DO meet performance standards."